Angel, Jessica, and Julian || Career Choices

[x-firestar.livejournal.com]

Jessica meets with Angel and Julian to discuss her future as a GenX mentor. Backdated to April 9th.



Jessica ran a hand along her hair nervously. She'd chosen to meet Julian and Angel in a public, neutral space, but she couldn't help but be nervous. Her hair was up in a very tight, very professional bun and she was dressed in the business suit that she wore to the X-Factor office. Her Christian Louboutin heels that she'd worked forever for were on her feet, and she'd made sure to stain her lips a dark red color. She wanted to appear put together. Basically the exact opposite of how she'd been feeling lately, really. The doorbell above the door tinkled and she turned to see the two walk in.

'Here goes. No turning back, Jess.' She thought.

Julian saw her first, his colleague entering the tiny, hole-in-the-wall bistro that she'd selected. He was as out of place as she was, having come from the office in his immaculate and custom cut suit. He stood to welcome her with a smile and pulled the chair out next to him for her. "You look lovely today, Jessica."

Angel, in comparison to the other two, was pretty tame. She was wearing a nice blouse and had her hair pulled back with a headband, but to be honest she hadn't seen the point of dressing up too much. They were all friends after all. "So what's up?" She asked cheerily, twirling her a strand of hair between her fingers.

"Oh, uh, not much." She answered. "I just wanted to chat with you guys about something." She continued. She took a deep breath in and out before she continued. "I called you both here because I...don't think I can be a mentor anymore." Jessica let out in a rush. "I've been going through a lot lately and Haller's recommended I decrease my stress level and I can't exactly quit X-Factor, that's like my dream job and Adrienne is really good to me, not that you guys aren't but-" She explained. "Plus, I guess I just don't feel like I'm connecting to these kids. I mean, aside from Quire, who have I really helped? And I'm not even saying it's them. Maybe it's me. Maybe I just can't look outside myself enough for them. And, well, I'm not exactly the best role model either. As the Children of the Corn and Double Q himself have pointed out." She added.

It took her now-former colleague a moment to register what she'd just spat out. "Okay," Julian said, taking a sip of his drink looking to Angelica to confirm that she was on board. In truth, he didn't want to take on any additional responsibilities and was feeling more or less the same as Jessica. Julian winced internally at having to spend more time with Quire.

"It'll be a shame to lose you," Angel said honestly. "But you need to do what's best for you. You've been a lot of help to us though, no matter what anyone else says."

Jessica sighed in relief.

"I'm SO happy to hear you say that. I...really appreciate you. Both of you. You gave me a chance and, given what my life has been like, that means the world to me. If you ever need me for anything, Gen X related or not, let me know. I will be there and ready to smash. If the situation requires it, of course." She joked with a broad smile.

"It's okay, Jessica, we won't be short handed for long," Julian smiled and emphasized the point by extending his hand to her. "Will you be leaving the institute as well?"

"Oh, no. Definitely not. Haller has really been helping me out with the shit going on my head and I still have X-Factor to think about. Besides, the mansions still the safest place for people like us." She answered.

"Perfect," Angel said with a grin, sipping her coffee. "Then you're not completely free from us annoying you" She winked.

"Exactly. Thanks for making it so easy to tell you. So, any new gossip?" Jessica answered.