! AMERICAN ! AMERICAN !

( the big day, in more ways than one )
( a jack schlossberg fic )

LUCY'S APARTMENT
manhattan, new york
september 4, 2024
wednesday
8:30am

with a massive headache, i woke up in my bed. i let out a groan and shut my eyes tightly, my head was pounding. i was definitely paying for the amount of wine i'd consumed last night. i was never drinking again.

slowly, last night dawned on me. i recalled me getting drunk and jack walking me home. the way he'd listened to me rant and rave about different books. the kiss... the kiss!

i buried my face in my pillow.

still feeling groggy, i lifted my head groggily from the pillow with a groan and swung my legs over the bed. my feet hit the cold floor and i began to pad towards my bathroom for a cold shower to wake me up a little bit.

that's when it hit me, my two interviews. the staff writer position at vox and the associate producer role at npr.

suddenly i was wide awake. i glanced at my clock and saw that the first interview was in two hours.

"fuck." i cursed, realizing i needed to be ready in a little over an hour.

i quickly rushed into the bathroom to shower, i would need every minute i had to look presentable for these interviews.

as i brushed my teeth, i went over the interview prep i'd done. all the potential questions and responses i had planned. i couldn't mess this up. as i looked in the mirror i made a silent promise to myself that i wouldn't.

i rinsed my mouth and quickly got in the shower, praying that i would be able to make it on time.

once finished showering, i got dressed into a cream long sleeve off the shoulder shirt with brown slacks and heels.

i didn't have time to do my hair or makeup in my apartment so i grabbed all of my makeup and shoved it in my purse before rushing out the door.

as i walked to the nearest subway station, which was thankfully only a couple blocks away, i applied my makeup. thankfully, there weren't too many people on the train at the moment.

by the time i had arrived, i managed to look slightly more composed than i'd been this morning. i still felt groggy but i was at least put together.

i tried to remain calm and confident during the interview, despite my hangover-induced brain fog. i had prepared an answer for almost any question they could ask me, but they still managed to catch me off guard with a few.

they asked about my writing process, how i find inspiration, what stories i want to cover, and my stance on a few political topics. i did my best to give thoughtful and well-articulated answers, but i couldn't shake the feeling that i'd messed up somehow.

the interview only lasted about thirty minutes, but it felt like it went on for much longer. by the time it was over, i felt absolutely exhausted. the combination of the alcohol-induced headache and the stress of the interview had drained my energy. and as i stepped out of the office building and into the cold new york morning, i realized that one more interview still remained.

just as i turned the corner, my phone ringing broke me out of my thoughts. i glanced down to see that it was none other than jack.

"hello, john..." i said in a joking tone.

he laughed, clearly recognizing my playful tone. "hey, lucy."

"to what do i owe this call?" i asked, feeling a hint of anticipation.

"library science." jack said simply.

i let out a soft sigh, "don't tell me you're thinking of going back to college and majoring in library science. actually, i respect it." i said as i made my way into a cafe for a quick coffee.

"that's not it." jack responded, amusement clear in his voice. "i'm talking about the name for the book club."

i felt a spark of excitement at his words. "oh. you came up with something?" i asked, already intrigued.

"i was thinking 'library science.' what do you think?" he asked, genuine curiosity evident in his tone.

i paused as i considered the name. it was simple but striking, and it had a certain charm to it. the idea of a hidden, underground book club called "library science" seemed exciting and mysterious, just like the books we would be discussing.

i couldn't help the smile that spread across my face. "i think it's perfect. 'library science' - it's catchy, intriguing, and it has a bit of an underground vibe to it, which i love. it's got a lot of character to it." i said as i moved up in line. "library science, a book club founded by jack schlossberg and lucy hall."

jack chuckled at my enthusiasm, "so you're a fan of it, i take it?"

"oh, i'm definitely a fan." i replied as i finally reached the front of the line. "just a cold brew with italian roast, please." i ordered in desperate need of a pick me up.

"hey, how was that interview? with vox, right?" jack inquired.

i was still riding the excitement of naming the book club library science when i remembered the interview. "oh, god." i groaned. it wasn't the kind of groan of misery but more of disbelief at this point. "it was so awful. i was so hungover and they asked me questions i wasn't prepared for at all. i doubt i got the job."

"you're probably too hard on yourself," jack said, trying to comfort me. "i'm sure you did great."

"my second interview with npr is in...thirty minutes. wish me luck." i told him as i paid for my drink and stepped off to the side, patiently waiting for it.

"good luck, you'll kill it, lucy." jack encouraged, his confidence in me helping to lift my spirits a little. "i know you will."

i felt a warm feeling swell in my chest at his words. it meant so much to have someone who was genuinely rooting for me, who believed in me even when i didn't believe in myself.

"thank you." i said, trying to ignore how my voice wobbled slightly. i wasn't sure if it was the fact that he believed in me or that i was ready to crawl into a ball because of my hangover.

i was pulled out of my thoughts by the barista calling out my name and placing my coffee on the pickup counter. i collected it and took a grateful sip, savoring the bitter taste.

"so, i was thinking, to kick off the first meeting, we'd need a good book to start with," jack said, shifting the conversation to the book club. "any suggestions?"

i pondered his question as i took another sip of my coffee. i had an idea in mind, but i was unsure if it would be met with enthusiasm. "how about 'martyr!' by kaveh akbar? i've heard amazing things about that read." i offered, hoping he would agree as i stepped back into the busy streets of new york, headed to my second interview.

"that sounds perfect. i've been meaning to read it," jack replied, his interest piqued. "let's make that the first book of 'library science.'"

i couldn't help but smile at his words. working with him on this book club was going to be nothing short of exhilarating. i couldn't wait to begin. "so how do we even set this book club up?"

"leave that to me." jack said. "just go knock your interview out the park."

i shook my head fondly at his reassurance. "alright, i trust you." i said, feeling excited about the book club and nervous about the interview all at the same time. "talk later?" i concluded.

"talk later." he confirmed before ending the call.

INSTAGRAM
jackuno

liked by catherinebrooks and 239,020 others
jackuno lucy and i have been ping ponging the idea of coming out with a book club for a bit. today, we're beyond excited to be giving it a life of its own: @libraryscience. - a platform for sharing books, featuring new writers, hosting conversations with artists we admire - and to build a community of people who are as excited about literature as we are. a very special shoutout to my literary co parent @lucyhall, who spends countless hours with her nose in books, like me, pouring a whole lot of love into this. we are so proud to share it with you. books have always been the great love of her life...reading is so sexy

view all 3,292 comments

user1 congratulations xxx!!

user2 bae? who is lucy hall????

lucyhall reading is very sexy 💋

mollystewart amazing!!!!!

user3 not only are you the internet's librarian but you're the internet's babygirl

user4 literature girlies

housekeeping notes !

would love to express that library science is a real thing by kaia gerber and her co-partner. as much as i'd love to be smart enough to come up with that plot (i didn't lol)

currently in new york rn and am on my knees praying to meet jack schlossberg