Angel of Light (A Zak Bagans Story)

Chapter 4: The Interview

Chapter 4: The Interview

"Let me just find your print out here," Aaron stated, as he started moving a few folders and papers around on the desk. He stopped and picked up a file folder with a sticker on the front.

I saw my name handwritten on it.

"Here we go," he commented, starting to glance over the form I filled out just a few days ago.

The butterflies in my stomach started they're infernal fluttering again.

Here goes nothing.

"So...let's see. Alicia Wilde, 32-" Aaron stopped dead sentence.

"Is that a problem..?" I asked, suddenly feeling my anxiety rise another notch.

"No, not at all! But you look like a teenager!" Aaron exclaimed, shock in his voice and on his face.

I laughed.

"I get that all the time. Although it's usually early twenties, not a teenager," I replied, blushing slightly.

"I'm terrible for guessing people's ages. I'm just glad I guessed on the flattering side of the age spectrum for once," Aaron replied, laughing.

I laughed again.

"Well, I'm more like a teenager than a 32-year-old woman. So I guess we could say you're pretty on the mark," I commented with a smile, which he returned.

"Awesome! Go me!" He remarked, but then suddenly looked embarrassed and quickly looked back at the paper in his hand.

I couldn't suppress my smile.

"Back to business. 32. Originally from Nova Scotia, Canada. Wow, you're a long way from home," he said, looking up at me. "Also explains the accent, eh?" He added, with a cheesy grin on his face.

I jokingly rolled my eyes and laughed.

"Yes, but I haven't lived there since...since I was roughly sixteen." I replied.

If Aaron picked up on my slight hesitation, he didn't comment on it.

"I moved to Ottawa after that." I added.

Aaron nodded.

"Then you graduated high school, but you didn't go to university for a few years. If you don't mind me asking, why the wait?" Aaron asked, seeming genuinely interested.

Another uncommon thing about me. I wasn't eager to move on to College or University right away. Social anxiety had reared it's ugly head back then.

"I wanted some time off from studying and school. And I wasn't entirely sure right away what I wanted to get into. I was debating between photography and graphic design at the time," I replied.

Aaron arched an eyebrow.

"Interested in the arts, huh?" He asked.

I smiled.

"Yes. I've drawn since I was a kid. I've always been into artistic stuff. Drawing, painting, crafts. I played a bit with photography in high school," I replied.

He smiled.

"That's awesome. I'm into artwork and photography," He said. "I sell some of my stuff online," he added, looking slightly shy.

I smiled and nodded.

"I'm aware...I've actually bought a few pieces," I admitted.

It was my turn to be shy now.

But the grin that formed on his face made me smile.

"That's awesome bro..! Err..sis?" He asked, laughing.

I laughed too.

"Hey, either works for me. I was a tomboy in high school," I replied, still laughing.

"I find that hard to believe," he said, with a smirk on his face.

I felt myself blush and he just smiled. 

"Thank you for buying," he added, going back to his artwork.

I smiled and nodded.

"You're welcome," I replied.

"So.." He started, looking at the printout again. "You worked at 'Don Cherry's' restaurant as a waitress for a few years. Hockey fan?" He asked.

"I'm Canadian aren't I?" I asked with a knowing smile and he laughed and gave me a thumbs up.

"Right on. Favourite team?" He asked curiously.

"Bruins. Follower of my dads tastes," I replied with a smile.

I loved watching games with my dad as a kid.

I missed it.

"You're Canadian and Boston is your favourite team huh?" Aaron asked with a grin, causing me to laugh.

I shrugged.

He laughed.

"You must of seen a lot of things, working at a sports bar," Aaron commented.

I laughed as memories flooded my mind.

"Oh yes, plenty. I tried to avoid a lot of it though," I replied.

He looked at me curiously.

Sigh, might as well get this out of the way, I thought.

"I have Social Anxiety," I said, then added, "One of the reasons I went for the job...try to face some of my fear."

Aaron smiled sweetly and nodded.

"I understand. Zak has Social Anxiety. He's better than he used to be, but he still struggles with it," Aaron stated.

I nodded without thinking.

"I know," I replied.

Aaron arched an eyebrow again, and I realized my "mistake".

I became a bit shy again.

"I've read his books," I remarked shyly.

Aaron smiled.

"Nothing to be shy about. They're good reads," Aaron replied.

Thank god. I thought, smiling.

Hopefully Zak would be this easy going.

Aaron looked at the printout once again.

"You moved on to study at Stanford University and became a Motion Capture Artist. That's awesome!" Aaron said enthusiastically, as he continued to read over my education and job information.

"You worked at 'Naughty Dog'?! No way!" Aaron exclaimed, looking at me with wide eyes.

I couldn't help but smile proudly.

"Heard of them, eh?" I responded, trying not to laugh at my lame attempt to be silly, but Aaron laughed regardless.

"Heard of them?! They're one of the best gaming companies today man!" He exclaimed. "What did you work on? And if you say 'Uncharted' I'm going to scream like a girl," he added, causing me to laugh again.

"Should I plug my ears?" I asked, jokingly beginning to raise my hands toward my ears.

His eyes nearly fell out of his head.

"Holy shit! That's fu-" suddenly, we both heard a key turning in the door behind me.

I looked back toward the door.

"Aaron! What the hell bro? Why are you in my- oh," A familiar voice asked, not sounding pleased.

Zak Bagans had just stepped into the room.

And he didn't seem entirely happy to see me.

Authors Note: So, what do you think so far? I know it's only four chapters, but this is where I originally left off when I first began posting this story. Nice little "cliffhanger". ;) Please review, and I hope you all like it so far!