8:30 AM.
The red digital numbers on the clock glared at me like angry eyes. My brain took a full second to process what they meant, and then another second for the panic to set in.
"I'M LATE!!"
I flew out of bed, a tangle of limbs and bedsheets. I didn't have time for a shower. I barely had time to breathe. I threw on my clothes, hopping on one foot while trying to pull my pants up, my heart hammering a frantic rhythm against my ribs.
I dashed into the kitchen, passing by my roommate David eating breakfast at our tiny coffee table squeezed against the window.
Outside, the grey London sky was already leaking a fine drizzle, the kind that soaks you without ever properly raining.
David looked up, his eyes widening. "Quill? You're still here?"
I didn't have time to explain. I scrambled past him, checking my watch. I was doomed.
"At least get some bread," David said. I snatched a slice of plain toast from the counter. I shoved it into my mouth, grabbed my bag, and sprinted out the door.
The moment I stepped outside, the damp chill hit me. Maple Street was narrow and lined with red-brick terraces, their bay windows fogged from the morning heat inside. Double-decker buses growled past on the main road at the end of the street, their brakes squealing like frustrated cats. I jogged toward the nearest Tube station, dodging puddles and umbrellas that people wielded like weapons.
The London streets were a blur of grey pavement and rushing pedestrians. The air smelled of wet concrete, exhaust fumes, and the faint fried-onion whiff drifting from a nearby restaurant. I wove through the crowd, breathless, dodging a cyclist who rang his bell at me like I'd personally offended him, until I finally burst through the glass doors of the office building.
Oh! I haven't introduced myself yet. My name is Quill Sparrow. I live in London, UK. I just graduated from college and managed to land my first real job. It was supposed to be the start of a glorious career.
Instead, I messed up on my first day. Well, get ready because this is my story.
I skidded to a halt in the main hallway, chest heaving, only to find a looming shadow cast over me. I looked up. It was the boss.
"You're late," she said. Her voice wasn't loud, but it carried a weight that made me want to shrink into the floorboards.
"I'm so sorry, Boss!" I squeaked, bowing my head. "It won't happen again!"
She sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "My name is Ms. Adams," she said, her voice crisp. "I will tour you around the company building. You will be my assistant from now on."
"Yes, Ma'am!" I saluted, just happy I hadn't been fired on the spot.
Ms. Adams led me down a corridor of glass-walled meeting rooms and humming fluorescent lights. The office smelled faintly of printer toner and expensive coffee; the carpet underfoot was that industrial grey-blue that never quite looked clean. Finally, we reached the place where two other young men were waiting. She turned to face us, her posture rigid. "This is Division 6," she announced. "You three will be under my guidance."
She gestured for us to introduce ourselves.
I stepped forward, trying to look presentable despite my disheveled hair. "My name is Quill Sparrow," I said. "I'm 23 this year."
The guy next to me, who had a friendly, open face, smiled. "Julius Christopher. I just turned twenty-two."
The third guy, standing with his hands in his pockets and looking a bit more stoic than the rest of us, nodded once. "My name is Xavier Xenoblade. I'm 24 this year."
Just as we were getting settled, a booming voice echoed from down the hall.
"Miss Adams, is my coffee done?"
Ms. Adams stiffened. "Not yet, sir."
A man in a sharp suit walked in. He radiated authority. "This is our CEO, Sir Vincent," Ms. Adams whispered frantically.
The CEO stopped in front of us, looking over the trio of Division 6. His stern expression broke into a welcoming smile. "Nice to meet you! You guys must be the new employees."
"Yes, sir!" we chorused.
"Make sure you do a great job!" he said, giving us a thumbs up before heading back to his office.
"Yes, Sir!"
At the Cafeteria...
The morning whirlwind finally settled, and the clock struck noon.
"Oh, it's lunch time," Ms. Adams said, packing up her desk. "Sorry, I'll get going."
That left the three of us—the rookies of Division 6—sitting together at a small table with our trays. The silence was thick with the awkwardness of strangers trying to be coworkers.
To break the awkward silence, I asked "So... what do you guys like to do?"
It was a simple question, but a good start.
Julius, shrugged. "I don't usually do anything, 'cuz I need to take care of my sister," he said, poking at his food. "I just usually play video games."
Xavier looked curious. "Oh you have a sister? What is it like?"
Julius softened a bit. It was the first time he dropped the cool guy act. "I never got the chance to tell her this, but I'm proud of her," he admitted, looking at the ceiling as if picturing her. "Yeah, her name is Janet. She does well at school, so I don't have to worry."
I turned my head to Xavier and asked him about his interests.
He looked at me and said "I usually read novels at home, especially horror"
"I've got an idea!" Julius said, leaning over the table. "Ms. Adams gave us a project, right? Why don't the two of you come to my home to finish the project? We can watch a horror movie after that."
Me and Xavier looked at each other, then back at Julius.
"Sounds like a good idea!" Xavier beamed.
"Come tonight!" Julius said, tearing a piece of paper from my notebook and scribbling down the details. "You guys can come to Maple Street, Number 6. It's my apartment number."
Xavier took the paper. "Alright. We'll be there."
As we finished our lunch, the dread of the morning rush faded. I might have been late, and I might have embarrassed myself in front of the boss, but looking at Julian and Xavier, I had a feeling Division 6 was going to be alright.