A/n: first chapter as you can see. Sorry it’s quite short but I didn’t wanna over do the first part. I’ll plan to make the chapters slightly longer in the future
The first days were always stressful.
It was your first day of work at Ferris Air, the brand new person in flight operations. you were in desperate need of a good job and through friend of friend
you eventually got told about an offer from Ferris air base. You never had a major interest in aviation, nor were you a fan of the military scene.
you technically had the requirements for that field.
In desperation of a job and telling yourself this will be temporary you accepted.
Walking into the building you noticed it was pretty simple for a place that tested military aircraft’s in your eyes.
The lobby looked nice. Glancing around, few people pass by, already familiar with the layout of the building around them. Your first task was to find Carol Ferris office, the owner of Ferris you were At least told from the report you looked at before arriving.
You make your way towards the front desk. A busy looking secretary who seemed tired. A name plate read “Karen” and her last name. She’s pretty, looks about your age. And the first person you’re officially meeting at Ferris Air Base.
You introduce yourself and state your purpose. She barely acknowledges you, All you hear from the secretary is she’s sending down the new employee. Karen gives you some not so clear directions on where Carol's office is.
After that dry encounter you walk past the front desk into the back.
You start walking around, it looks easy. You go down to the right hallway like she said. Entering that hallway just revealed a maze of others.
Did she say it’s the second hallway on the left or right?
Pretty sure she said left
-or maybe she didn’t specify at all.
you didn’t wanna take your chances and go back to ask after that interaction, you didn’t need people disliking you on the first day.
After another turn or two and you officially think you’re lost.
This was not how this was supposed to go.
You glance around again wondering where to go. Until you hear a voice behind you.
A tall, pretty, brunette man stood in front of you, his tag reading “Jordan”. Probably one of the pilots from assumption
“Uh yeah, it’s my first day and I’m supposed to meet meet Miss Ferris at her office”
“Carol? know her too well. C'mon I’ll take you to her”
The use of her name catches your attention.
“I’m Hal by the way. Hal Jordan, The best pilot you’ll meet here” he says with a smug undertone
“The best?” You question.
“The VERY best” Hal speaks with emphasis.
He gives an easy smile at you, charming basically.
A look of realization comes across your face.
You introduce yourself, first and last name.
“I’m a new flights coordinator in operations”
“So guess that means we’ll being seeing a lot of each other then” Hal says with a look
Hal says as you reach the door titled “CAROL FERRIS”
“Good” He gives a final smile.
As your first official meeting starts to conclude with Carol she wraps up what you need.
“Alright,” Carol says while grabbing some papers for you to have, flight schedules, contracts, basic rules, anything she could throw at you to make you more prepared.
“That should be it for now, you know where your area is. Just focus on getting settled, get familiar with things and everyone is pretty friendly around here so if you have any questions just ask” Carol gives you a faint smile, it was almost obvious she was tired and stressed out but still wanted to come as welcoming for you.
Gripping the files you make your way to walk out the door, then Carol calls out your name.
“I know I said everyone is friendly, which they are but some are full of themselves just don’t take it personally, Okay?” A sincere tone from Carol that she was trying to look out for you
“Yeah, I’ll remember that, thanks”
The flight operations office was busier than you thought, constant movement of people and discussion about schedules from you briefly picked up. It was also next to the hallway where pilots, engineers and alike went back and forth.
“New hire?” A man asks you.
“Yeah, Carol just sent me down, with everything apparently” glancing at the thick bunch of papers handed to you earlier
“Desk over there” gesturing to the side.
Your desk looks like it’s seen better, pretty basic set up, computer, draws and the stack of paperwork Carol gave you. Empty now but you’ll make it your own.
Sorting through the pile trying to understand what everything means you hear a loud laugh and chatter coming from distance. Curiosity wins and you look up from your desk. You see Hal and other pilots laughing and talking, you’re not exactly sure what's the conversation about but Hal does look quite popular around here….
A woman with glasses neighboring your desk catches your gaze at Hal.
“Nothing” she shrugs “Just one of those people who tend to leave an impression. Intentionally or not”
That comment made you think about that smile he gave you right before you walked into Carol's office. You forced yourself to look away from the group, and back down at the stack of paperwork sitting on your desk.
The paperwork wasn't as interesting.
Half the forms were filled with abbreviations you didn't understand, flight numbers, schedules, and terminology that you didn’t know existed until now.
You stared at one page for nearly bit before giving up
The woman beside you looked over.
Do you even need to know that?
"You'll get it eventually ."
She gave a sympathetic look before returning to her work.
The rest of the afternoon passed slowly. You learned where the break room was. You learned which printer constantly jammed. You learned that everyone seemed to know everyone and everything.
And somehow, no matter where you looked, Hal Jordan always seemed to be nearby.
Talking to mechanics. Talking to pilots. Talking to secretaries…
By the time the day was finally over, gathering your things, you headed toward the exit.
You were halfway to the door when someone called your name.
Turning around, you found Hal walking towards you.
"I mean, I end at this time."
“Soooo, how'd your first day go.”
"Uh horribly considering I have no idea what VFR means and that is apparently common knowledge around here.”
"You don’t know it stands for Visual Flight Rules” he looks suprised
"I mean I did just say that so yeah.”
"If your job doesn't surprise you then it’s not worth doing. “
You laughed just slightly.
"What?” The smile still apparent on his face.
“Nothing, just a very pilot thing to say”
Hal stops for a moment thinking over what you just said.
Not a sudden or abrupt stop but a one that comes when something meaningful is said.
“Well” Hal pauses. “See you tomorrow”
Before you could respond he was already heading toward the parking lot.
Maybe Carol was right. Some people really can be full of themselves.
It brought a warm feeling to you.
