Big changes Part 1

Today is the day. Today I become a journalist, well a real journalist anyway.

I looked at the cluttered mess that laid strewn across the desk where I had poured my hear and soul out at for the past three years. My favorite mug still had some old coffee in it left over from the last production night. I had dedicated my life to making my college newspaper the best it could be, but today I was going to the St. Louis Courier. Today I was going to be a real life news editor. Sure, I had been the news editor at my campus paper, but that was nothing compared to real news editing, right?

Everything is going to be different, I thought as I packed up my tattered planner that listed every story my writers had taken for each production day. I really should throw it away, but I knew better. I am too sentimental. This past year was huge for me. I covered amazing hard hitting news stories, graduated and got hired. Why they hired me I don't know, but I am going to roll with it.

Somehow I managed to fit everything of mine into one box. How can three years fit in just one box? I carried it out to my old clunker Jeep Cherokee. It was dropping rust as if it had severe dandruff, but it still drove and that was what mattered.

"Julia," a familiar voice hollered at me. Derek my assistant news editor, or ex-assistant news editor, was running towards me with a very feminine bag in his hand.

"Look," he said pushing his unruly brown hair out of his eyes, "You were the best boss I could have ever asked for, and I am going to miss you."

Derek handed me the bag and avoided eye-contact. He had never been one for expressing emotions, so this was a shock for me and I imagine a struggle for him.

"Derek, you didn't need to do this," I said as I opened the bag. An eleventh doctor teddy bear inspired by Doctor Who smiled up at me holding a sonic screwdriver. A huge grin spread across my face.

"Maybe he can bring you good look in the Lou or something," Derek said and started to walk away.

"Don't you dare think you can walk away from me after this!"

I ran after him and gave him the biggest hug possible. He froze for a moment before he succumbed and embraced me back.

"Thank you Derek. This was perfect," I said trying to hold back my own emotions.

"Yeah, well, stay safe."

I nodded and climbed into my car. Derek walked away and I dropped my head on the steering wheel and cried harder than I had in years.

I'm not ready for this. I don't want everything to be different, I thought as I hugged my new teddy close to my chest. Everything was going to change and I wasn't ready.