Somehow, Nova didn't know how exactly, but Abby had her number. And was now asking her who she was going to observe or to quote Abby, 'who's gonna be your test object?'
When Nova told her that she didn't decide on it but was thinking to observe one of her neighbors Abby sighed and Nova heard her mutter 'she's got one, too' but didn't ask her about it.
Though, it was clear that Abby did not have anyone to write the report on Nova still wondered who she'll end up with, but prayed for the girl.
Sure she didn't exactly know her but it was clear that she was really outgoing and friendly. And the fact that she, of all people, was struggling for just one person to choose and write a report on made Nova realise that there was actually more to people than they let off.
Studying Criminal Law with Psychology was Nova's decision. Her dad had always wanted her to be a lawyer but he never put pressure on her, at least not directly, if you know what it means. He always just hinted on it and expected her to follow his path. And follow his path, she would have, if she'd not realised that becoming a Lawyer was amazing but there were other things that suited her and her interests more.
Sure she could fight a case but she didn't believe that she would be good enough doing it, that she could give her best doing it. Which that's why she chose to study Criminal Law and Psychology.
Doing the same thing as him but outside of the court and deeper inside the case.
When she'd proposed the idea of doing something in the field of investigation, her father was quick to shake his head 'No'. He made sure to let the message travel that he absolutely did not entertain the idea of her being an undercover agent because according to him that carrier was 'far too risky'.
When she'd initially thought of it as a carrier she hadn't really gone that deep but when her father enlightened her with that particular reason, her mind sure diverted from the carrier but the subjects remained the same.
She'd somehow convinced him that she won't be doing the undercover thing but wished to do something in psychology. And that was when her very own father, who had declined for her to do anything that's 'risky' suggested her to major in Psychology with Criminal Law.
At first, she didn't understand what his deal was but when he came up with the idea of Nova working with one of his friends in his firm she understood his game plan immediately.
He wanted her to work in the field that she liked but less risky and under his supervision.
Now that was why she wasn't flowing with the flow. She knew if she joined his internship she won't be doing anything great. She just knew it. She also knew for a fact, that she was more of an introvert. She liked to be under the radar and do what she's supposed to do in the best possible way. She always made sure to look into things, deeper than they appear, and solve puzzles and riddles and reasoning and logic.
She was into that kind of stuff. In a corner, hidden from everybody and anything else, just doing her work peacefully and alone. With nobody to watch what she's doing but the other way around.
As she had always liked to call herself an introvert; there was just one thing that never really fit the tag: She could engage into conversations pretty easily. She never started them though, for some reason, where she always preferred being away from the spotlight, she had always been in the very center of it. In the beginning it unnerved her but after sometime she had no other choice but to get used to it.
So over and all, she thought that the subjects she'd chosen would do her justice. She hoped so, at least.
*
Studying, reading, learning, writing was what Nova Newton did with ease. She never found the academics that challenging or anything of the kind. It was, in fact, like a routine for her. Growing up with her parents she was always taught to do homework first thing returning home. Lots of books of many kinds were always stuffed in her way too large room, almost falling off the book shelf. Summer Camps, Competitions, interactive classes, communicating and socialising camps were where she'd spent most of her childhood holidays in. Volunteering, leading, designing, scheming and planning clubs and groups was what her teenage life went by doing.
And now she was completely immune to the load of work that college gave her. But as her studying was coming to its end she realised she needed to find work, a job, and so, she decided to give it a very thorough thought.
She couldn't go as an intern in her Dad's friend's firm. That wasn't even an option for her. That being said she needed to hunt for internships. So she pulled out her mac-book pro, searched top best firms that did anything relating to Psychology or Criminal Law.
She found a private school which needed a temporary counselor, she applied for it. She found a firm which hired private counselors or psychiatrist to work on patients suffering with any mental disability or disorder, she applied for it, too as an assistant. She found a place in a company for an adviser, she filled it.
And just like that, there were about ten forms that she filled and resumes that she sent. Working as an intern was going to be a long time waited experience, finally happening. She wanted to work from the starting. She wanted to experience the real world. And she was going to do just that in a couple of weeks.
Taking the necessities, she went outside of her house, unlocked it and slipped into her new BMW. Turning it on ignition she made her way to the campus. Today consisted of only one lecture. One lecture of one and half an hour but still, one lecture.
*
Criminal Law was Nova's second favorite subject. When her Mother, Isabelle, heard that she was taking Criminal Law she said that she'd saw it coming.
Nova understood where her Mother was coming from. For anyone who'd met her for the first time, knowing that she was a student of this particular subject always resulted in a gaping mouth and raised eyebrows.
But Mum and Dad weren't anyone. They knew her, knew her more that herself and understood her, too. But if she never told them about her interests, they would have never guessed that this was all her. And she guessed that her interest in the genre 'Mystery and Thriller' were loud sirens which they started to hear from the day she started foretelling the plot twists that were about to happen in any Movie or any book that they watched or read together.
Also, she was adequate at academics, she was adequate at conversing, she was good at following, she was adequate at having her work done by herself and when needed she was adequate at persuading. Not that she'd done too much of the later but she knew she could.
Back in high-school, everyone wanted to be her friend, wanted to talk to her, to get to know her, and she always answered their every question without feeling an ounce of annoyance. She never understood it for herself, though. She was the popular girl everyone looked up to when in reality she had done nothing to achieve that specific label. She never even liked to be on the spotlight. Never wanted to gain too much attention but again, as always, the attention and people seemed to come around one way or another.
And that was why she was used to the same behavior here in College. Her Mom always told her that she adapted fast. She had also always believed her.
To her, there were two ways a person could live life. It was either that they understand the changes, accept them, and adapt their lifestyle in its ways, Or they could try their hardest to change the situation so that it suited their lifestyle the best.
First took away pride, second took hard work. And in her opinion it always depended on us. What we want, what we agree to do, what we can do.
So now as she sat in her lecture room, she did her favorite time pass; she observed her fellow students all around herself, she noticed people who chose either of the options.
Mark, a boy who sat in front of her, a dark haired guy with blue specs and hidden tattoos, which she had once seen, was from a family which only had Lawyers and Solicitors. He, however, had always wanted to be a pop-star. Hence, the tattoos and the piercings that were no longer visible. He had once been the leader of a band, which was a great hit in the locality, but decide to quit when his mother - who was also a well known lawyer - died because of brain tumor. His mother wanted her son to become one of them, to not risk his carrier as well as life doing something that promised nothing - according to her.
So, the blooming pop-star dropped everything, completed high-school and with all his piercings and tattoos and everything that specified Mark - The Pop-star were gone and present in front of all of them was an all new man who decided to accept the turn life took and accept his fate as it was. And he did it with a blast too. Mark was one of those students who had the chance to get an internship wherever he chose, which was why she said 'did it with a blast'.
Next she saw Abby strutting towards her with the usual gleam in her eyes and a bounce in her walk which also showed the confidence she had in her.
Abby was of the second kind. Her mother was a great name in the fashion industry. Her father a businessman. Naturally, both the parents often helped each other by promoting each other which resulted in them wanting their daughter to be in something that benefited them all. But Abby didn't drop her interest for that. She fought with her parents and when she saw that there was no out, she decided to make one herself.
Her mother wanted to launch Abby as a model. She wanted her to do all the fashion shows and be the brand ambassador of brands that she had her connections with. Abby, being grown in that environment, had done photo-shoots and ramp-walks all her life. Ever since she was a kid, her mother made sure to take her somewhere or another so, Abby agreed to do fashion shows and photo-shoots for her brand but held up her end. She said she wanted to study Criminal Law and Psychology and she would, along with the things her mother wanted her to do. Now, here she was.
Abby was stunning, as she was one of the supermodels till date but she never let her focus wander which was why Nova had always looked up to her.
Sometimes she attended classes from work and there were even times when she attended college just after an all night long photoshoot or fashion show. Sure Abby and Nova weren't that close but Abby had a way with people and words. She somehow just ended up telling her life story and life history to anyone who ever willed to listen.
And Nova was considered a good listener.
"Dude, I have seriously no one to make my report on. And I just can't fucking think straight at the moment. Like, can there be anyone as lonely as me? I bet not. No one," she exhaled as she sat besides Nova.
Nova realised that she would've been just like Abby if it weren't for the new neighbour she had in mind for the job. But now that she thought of it, she might even consider their situations similar because the guy in question had been MIA once again leaving her no one to file the report on.
Professor Fehling entered the room and those ninety minutes went by her brain working and solely focusing on her subject and the things being said about it.
The time was soon over and she packed all her belongings and was about to to make her way to the exit when Professor Fehling's voice called her name. She noticed that there were four other students along with her who waited behind for Professor Fehling to say his word.
When the room was empty leaving six people inside it, Nova felt a weird feeling in her stomach. As if she knew what was coming but wasn't prepared for it.
The other four students were: Margaret - A petite brunette with round, black glasses and a pony tail, a girl who was always found in the library if not her dorm and stayed at the Campus and was never seen outside of her dorm. Except for going in and out of it to attend classes, or in the library with a book always in her hands and her eyes glued solely on the words.
Margaret passed on a nervous smile to Nova as they made eye contact and she asked her if she knew what the matter was. Nova simply shook her head because she didn't know for herself.
Second was Sean, a big, healthy, and curly haired boy who always sat at the very first row and asked all types of good and totally relevant questions which made Nova have her own doubts cleared and concept stronger inside her brain.
The other two were Abby and Mark. And then it was her. The sixth person, who was Professor Fehling himself, turned his gaze to them all after waiting for the students to exit the room.
When he saw it best he talked.
"You people are here for a surprise," he said making Abby's eyebrows shoot up in the air and Margaret bite her nails in what Nova guessed was nervousness. The boys were just curious with their face giving the message. Nova's was the same.
"But it shouldn't be surprising for you amazing students", to say that Nova was confused would be an understatement, she had a rough idea but the way her professor was making it sound, she had doubts.
"Okay, lets just come to the case, here. Enough with the beating around the bush," and just like that their professor was in an entirely business form. "You are the five students that Cambridge University has chosen to give internships that promise instant placements for this course. You five, extraordinarily brilliant students, have the freedom to choose any firm or company of your liking and Cambridge will make sure to have your placement assured.
"We have noticed the calibre and determination that you lots have in you and we are giving you the golden opportunity. There are options, of course. All five of you have different subjects, and you are only from this specific stream. There are other students from other streams who are selected with you guys.
"However, before you search things up, there are companies and firms that have agreed to take you in as an intern; we sent your performance and the till now aggregate of your assumed percentage and based on them they chose you.
"I am now going to list out the places that have asked for you to work with them. Margaret..."
Nova didn't hear any further. She saw it coming, but she hadn't realise the impact it would have on her. She had heard from professors that she would be chosen along with the others enough, that she somehow saw that as a possibility. But the possibility turning into reality was something entirely different. She knew her turn was the last so she consumed the wave of happiness and decided to be there for other people in their good time.
Margaret was accepted as an assistant for six months in an Police Investigation bureau. Wow. As she walked out with the form, she gave Nova a sweet and polite smile with a soft nod and Nova gave her the thumb's up.
Sean was accepted as an assistant in the Navy. Again, wow. He went out, too giving her a nod of acknowledgment which she returned with a smile.
Abby was wanted in a well known social firm which worked in dealing with people with a traumatic past and helping them get out of it. The best one so far and Abby was sure very happy about it. She squealed when she heard it and almost gave Nova a hug, however she backed off pretty quick and sufficed with a side hug and smiled widely at her which she returned as usual.
Mark was accepted as an Intern in a well renowned Law firm as an assistant. He was really proud, Nova could see that and so she gave him an encouraging smile as he, too walked out.
All four of them were gone and only Nova was left and she wondered where she would be going.
"Ms. Newton, you would not believe where you are going to be working at. You would not believe me." Her professor told her making her heartbeat go faster than it already was.
"But I must tell you, Ms. Newton, you cannot leak this information. We are going to tell you an alternative about your placement and you are to stick to it," he continued making her feel excited as well as impatient.
"You are accepted as an assistant of a... MI6 officer."
And just like that, she knew all of the things she's been doing since childhood, everything that her parents have been doing for her, finally paid off at the end.
She also knew that this was a new beginning. Harder work to be done and pushing through her limits a bit more.
But overall, she finally realised that this was what she had wanted all along. She knew that she did the right thing. She finally realized that she did have something awaiting her.
Something great.
______________
A.N:
New update guys! I thought that this story would suit best in third person, what do you think?
Also, our Nova is gonna have a new life from on, huh? Anyone excited? I know I am. Ah, I cant wait to write more!
But unfortunately my finals are nearing and now that I do feel a bit confident in myself, not everybody can be like our Nova here and do everything the perfect way.
So i just wanted to add on that WE HAVE REACHED 100 VIEWS ON THIS STORY AND I CANNOT BELIEVE MY EYES OH MY GOD!!!
Honestly, this means so damn much to me. When I was a reader myself and the writers used to say things like this I always wondered what the deal was because all of those stories contained so may views reads votes and comments that i just could not imagine them ever struggling to get more recognition but now I know how it is. Hence the longer update lol.
I just hope the number only increases and you guys like my work. Also, feel free to suggest me any ideas about this story or any kind of constructive criticism is welcomed with open arms.
Comment guys, vote, share, add, do anything you want and be happy.
-Z.
(P.S. Chapter dedicated to @leshworld because she was the first one to ever comment on this story. Also check out her story 'Numinous' it's great.)