Third person Pov 27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51CwknUqg2
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The information should always be true and eye-catching.
Professor Jonas closed his laptop and faced the class. “That concludes today’s lecture on Investigative Journalism and Media Production.”
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The college bell right on cue, rang echoing through the building.
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“Before you all run out in excitement…” He raised his voice over the growing noise.
“Don’t forget your end-of-semester project. You must produce a high-impact investigative story based on real events, real locations or real rumors. It should be backed up with photos and field evidence.”
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“And remember,” he added with a smirk. “It’s worth 50% of your grade and whoever creates the most compelling story will receive a full-time internship at National Eye News, NEN.”
At the back of the class, Maya, who had been scribbling random shapes in her notes finally looked up, a smile plastered on her face.
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“Alright, that’s all from me. Hope you all enjoy your spring break. Now shoooo….off you go, my break starts now.” Professor Jonas stretched, crossed his legs on the desk and waved dismissively.
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Students exploded into chatter as they rushed into the hallway. Maya slipped into the crowd, her bag slung over her shoulder, walking toward her locker. The hallway buzzed with excitement, but her mind was already drifting, trying to figure out what story could win her the NEN internship.
She opened her locker, stacking her books in….
“Whatcha doing?” Someone jumped in front of her, startling her in process.
Maya flinched so hard she nearly dropped her textbooks. “Emmaaa!” she growled.
“You need to stop sneaking up on me! What if I was holding a knife and stabbed you?”
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Emma snorted. “Why would you have a knife in college?”
“Just saying,” Maya muttered, slamming her locker shut.
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Emma looped an arm around her. “So…. spring break!!! Any plans?”
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“Nahhh” Maya shrugged.
“I’m planning to work on my project for Investigative Journalism. The best one gets an internship at NEN, the best news station everrrr.”
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Emma stopped walking, turned to Maya “Are you okay? She put a hand on Maya’s forehead checking her temperature.
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“I’m fine.”Mia replied, confused.
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“No, I don't think so, something is definitely wrong,” Emma raised her voice dramatically. “You want to do schoolwork on a holiday? Seriously, there's no way I am letting you do that.”
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“Emma, it’s NEN, literally the best news station ever.”
“Who cares?” Emma rolled her eyes.
“I do… I care” Maya replied, pointing to herself.
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“Boooring.”Emma groaned loudly.
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“Oh yeah….. Alright, what plans do you have?” Maya asked, raising a brow.
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“ Uh….. nothing.” Emma's face fell.
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Maya laughed. “And you said my plans are boring.”
“For now, I have nothing but am gonna come up with something soon.” Emma said.
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“Yhhh do that. And while you do, I’ll go take the bus home. I have a story to start.”
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“I’m driving, stole mom's car for the day. Come, I’ll drive you home..” Emma hopped in excitement.
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“Naa….thanks. I'll just use the bus. I think I’d like to still have my head by the end of spring break.”
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Emma scowled. “What’s that supposed to mean..”
“ You're a bad driver, Emma. Last time you drove, you hit someone’s fence. I nearly had a heart attack.” Maya reminded her.
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“Am a better driver now” Emma defended.
“Oh really…..”
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“Just get in the car, Maya.”
“Ok fine, but if we crash, I’m killing you before I die.”
Emma snorted and unlocked the car. Maya slid into the passenger seat, slamming the door shut.
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“By the way, the group wants us to meet at Chase’s place tonight.” Emma announced before starting up the car.
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“Ughh, Why tonight?” Maya groaned. “I planned to sleep the moment I get home.”
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“No idea but it sounded urgent.”
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Emma pulled into Maya’s driveway a few minutes later.
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“Thanks for the awful ride,” Maya said, stepping out. “Remind me never to let you drive again…. Never”
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“At least I got you home in one piece and didn’t hit anything,” Emma grinned.
“You mean except the trash can?” Maya pointed behind the car.
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Emma giggled. “Bye! See ya tonight!”
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“Yeah, yeah” Maya waved as she walked to the porch.She opened the front door when Emma had left stepping into the quiet house.
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“Mom!!! You home?” She placed her bag down on a sofa then walked towards the kitchen.
“Mom!!!” She grabbed a bottle of water in the empty kitchen, drinking till the bottle was empty.
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CRACK!!! The sound echoed from upstairs causing Maya to freeze.
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“Mom?” She called out again but still no response. She dropped the bottle, slowly made her way upstairs, her nerves flaring up, sweat beads gathering at her neck.
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Upstairs she grabbed the nearest ceramic vase for protection, walked in her room, accessing the place. No one was there. Then she heard the noise again,this time above.
It seemed to be coming from the attic.
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She swallowed, slowly approaching the attic, the ceramic vase in her hands shaking. Her hand trembled as she slowly pushed the door open trying not to make a sound. The wooden floorboard creaked with every step.
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She scanned the dim attic, looking for signs of an intruder and then her eyes landed on a dark, old-looking box with a label “Jaxson”,she had never seen before.
She crouched, reaching out to examine the box..
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“Maya!!”
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She screamed, jerking so hard the vase slipped from her hand and shattered on the floor.
“Shit! Mom!” Maya snapped, clutching her racing heart. “Can everyone please stop sneaking up on me?”
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“Sorry. Just came to do the laundry.” Maya's eyes shifted to the basket filled with washed clothes.
“Why are you doing the laundry here?
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“The washing machine downstairs is broken, so I came up to use the old one. Still working perfectly.” Her mom replied.
“Come down soon. Made your favorite.” Mrs Benson walked to the door still holding the basket.
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Before leaving, she halted at the doorstep. “Oh, those box contain some of your dad’s old things. You can take a look if you want.”
“Ok, meet you downstairs”
Maya bent again, carefully opening the box. The first thing she noticed was a photo on top. She breathed out, closing it before picking it up.
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Maya carried the old box into her room, nudging the door shut with her foot. The late afternoon sun spilled across her bed, dust floating through the air as she set the box down.
She lifted the cover carefully. Inside were small things, a worn out leather wallet, a silver wristwatch that no longer worked, a faded cap, and a photograph of him holding a toddler…..her, wrapped in a blanket.
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She closed her eyes.She remembered nothing from that age, everything was blurry.
A man's laughter, rain, bright yellow balloon, a park bench.
She remembered sitting on someone’s shoulders, small hands clutching a head full of short dark hair.
She brought the watch out, wore it, picked up the photo and walked downstairs.
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Downstairs, the smell hit her, creamy and warm.
Mac and cheese, her favorite.
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Her mom stood at the stove, humming as she dished out the food.
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“Smells good,” Maya said, placing the photo on the counter.
Her mom glanced over. “Only the best for you.”
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Maya hesitated “Mom… can you tell me something about Dad? Anything…
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She saw her mother freeze for a second.
“Or nevermind, not necessary.”
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“It was your second birthday,” her mom began.
“Nothing big….just the three of us at the old park near Maple Street. We were happy. It rained that morning, so the ground was wet, and I wanted to cancel. But your dad insisted you’d love it anyway.”
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A small smile tugged at Maya's lips.
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“He bought you this bright yellow balloon. You were obsessed with balloons back then. You refused to walk so he carried you on his shoulders while you squealed every time the balloon bobbed above his head.”
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“And then,” her mom laughed softly
“A breeze blew the balloon away. Your dad… he chased it across the whole field just to bring it back to you. Got mud all over himself, but he didn’t care. He said your smile was worth it.”
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Her mom looked at her.
“That’s who he was. Someone who always ran after the things t
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hat made you happy….”
Maya you were the best thing to ever happen to your dad. He used to call you his jewel.
He loved you so much. Loved us both.
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and then Add to home screen.