Blogfest FAIL

Okay, so I realized this morning I was supposed to participate in a "Show your Voice" blogfest on Monday, and I totally and completely forgot. AGAIN. This is a perpetual problem with me and blogfests. For those of you who came to my blog thinking I was doing the blogfest, I'm so sorry!

I've missed the deadline, no agent is going to look at my excerpt, but I'm going to participate anyway. The blogfest was to post the first 250 words of a manuscript. So here it is, the first 250 words of Inevitable, my paranormal YA that I hope to start subbing out in the next few months.

The smell always hits me first.

I noticed it right when I opened the office door, and I paused. It was a lemony smell, like walking through a citrus grove. Growing up in New Jersey, I didn't know much about citrus groves, but I was sure that’s what it would smell like.

Mr. Harris looked up and gave me a smile over his dark brown glasses. “Ms.—” he glanced down quickly at my resume on the mahogany desk. “Lockwood. Please come in.”

I swallowed and let myself in, the wooden door behind me closing with a swish. Just don't look into his eyes. This was not going to be easy. I kept my eyes on my polished black heels, trying to ignore the sweat beading on my forehead. I was glad I had worn a black blazer over my white button-up shirt. Clutching my spiral notebook to my chest, I sat in the chair across from him. I already knew I wouldn't take this job.

“Thank you for showing interest in our internship position, Ms. Lockwood.” Mr. Harris's voice was kind, and I knew he thought I was nervous. “I see from your resume that you write the sports column at your high school.”

I gave a nod. “That’s right.” How could I escape this? There was no point in continuing. I examined his desk, determined to avoid eye contact. My eyes landed on a picture of Stephen, wearing his navy blue and white lacrosse jersey. My stomach plummeted even further.