AJ Conily

It was 2027 and for the typical fourteen year old girl, life was great. It was late June and school was finally out for the summer. Most kids were going to Florida with their families, heading to the beach, anything to get out of their homes and enjoy the beautiful weather that Boston or any other part of the country had to offer that time of year. Students were starting to plan their high school schedules and shopping for their first-day-of-school outfits, which for these 8th graders, had to be rather spectacular. They were going into High School in the fall, after all, so silly kids clothes would no longer do. They were going to be adults! Or so they thought.

There was one girl, though, who did not have summer sun or high school on the brain. As she stared out the window at nothing but scattered clouds and blue water, Audrey Jeane Conily couldn't care less about how warm it was outside or what shoes she was going to wear on her first day of school come fall. All she could think about was her mother and her silly fiancé. He wasn't a bad man, but AJ really couldn't stand the guy. Something about him just made her want to rip her hair out! KC agreed, but KC wasn't on that plane with her. AJ was alone, staring out the window, holding a picture of a handsome face in her hands, looking at it now and again, hoping that he would be able to help.

The plane landed smoothly and as custom for underage travelers a far too perky blonde airport agent helped AJ down to the baggage claim and set her up with a cab. AJ still couldn't believe how easy this had been, but she wasn't going to complain. Putting an a sweet smile she thanked the lady and hopped into the cab, sighing with relief. Pulling out her phone, she texted KC to let her know that she had gotten there safe and would call when she got to her final destination.

Watching the streets of London fly by out her window, Audrey continued to stare at the old picture in her hand. She wondered if he even looked the same now. It had been fourteen years, after all. He was very handsome, she told herself again, smiling. At least her mom had good taste. Well, use to.

The cabby pulled up and Audrey paid the fair, still trying to figure out the money there, and pulled on her large backpack. It was all she had brought. It was easier to travel lightly.

Coming up to the building, Leona stepped in to the lobby. There was a woman sitting at a fancy desk and talking on the phone. AJ stepped forward when she hung up, but it went off again. AJ sighed, slumping a bit, but she stood there, just waiting. Finally the lady looked up at her, asking the usual, "How may I help you?" AJ tried not to roll her eyes.

"I'm here to see Dillon Hepburn." she replied, though it sounded more like a question. For a moment the woman just stared at her and AJ could only assume that she was caught off guard by the girl‘s American accent. "Mr. Hepburn?" the secretary said back, and AJ nodded. "Do you have an appointment?" she asked. AJ shook her head. "No, but it's important." she continued and the woman narrowed her eyes a bit. "Just one moment, dear." She pushed a button on her phone and held it to her ear. It rang twice and then Audrey could hear the mumbled sound of a man talking.

"Mr. Hepburn? Yes, I have a young woman here to see you." The lady looked up at Audrey, holding the phone away. "What's your name, dear?" she asked. AJ blinked. "Um. Audrey." The woman eyed her curiously. "She says her name is Audrey. No, she's more like a teenager -- I know, but she said it was important." The secretary frowned a moment, not looking at AJ. Slumping her shoulders, Audrey sighed. She really didn't think getting past the secretary would be the hard part.

"Alright, thank you Mr. Hepburn." She hung up the phone. "He will see you in fifteen minutes. You can wait here til then." she said, gesturing to the chairs along the wall. AJ smiled brightly, practically dancing on her toes, going over to take a seat.

Audrey brought her phone out again, dialing quickly and holding the phone to her ear. It rang, and rang, and for a moment she didn't expect an answer. "C'mon, KC, pick up!" she muttered under her breath. Finally, there was a click on the other end, and a young voice answered. "Hello? AJ? Are you there yet? Did you meet him?" a very excited voice started, making AJ laugh a little. The secretary stared, and she tried to keep quiet.
"Yeah, yeah, I'm here. But no, I didn't meet him yet. I'm gonna see him in a few minutes."
"Alright, but don't take too long! You better be coming home tomorrow. I can't cover for you forever."
"C'mon, Kase! I promise I'll make this go fast. I gotta go, alright? I'll see you tomorrow."
"Alright. You better. I love you!"
"Ditto!"

AJ hung up the phone, smiling brightly. She sat there a few more minutes before the secretary called her over and directed her towards Mr. Hepburn's office. Knocking once, Audrey pushed open the door. Looking in, she saw the man in her picture talking on the phone, and she frowned, hoping his call was almost over. The frown didn't last long, though. Just seeing him, really seeing him and not just looking at the one picture she had smuggled from her mom's shoes box, had her in absolute awe. She felt like a bit of an idiot, smiling as she stood there in doorway. It was only as she looked at his clean clothes that Audrey realized how out of place she was. She was in jeans with holes in the knees, dirty sneakers, a tank top with a flannel shirt unbuttoned overtop that was far too big on her, and her hair hadn't been brushed in almost a day. She rubbed her teeth, trying to remember if she at least brushed.

He wasn't paying attention to her, so she just stood there awkwardly with her book bag hanging off one shoulder, glancing around the office, trying to get a feel for him. Hearing a few key words that signaled the end of a conversation, Audrey turned back to him, ready to face the moment of truth.