Chapter 3! I hope you like this story so far.

A/N: Like always, I don’t own any of the characters, only the plot and Jamie.

I’m sorry for people who don’t like USC; it’s the only university that was around in the1880s

Chapter 3: Going to College and Beginning of Life

After a couple of weeks a letter came in for Jamie Callaway. “Miss, you have a letter from USC.” The maid said softly as she bowed handing her the letter. Jamie has been waiting around anxiously, after a while she began to think that they didn’t want her. Jamie grabbed the letter politely and said thank you to the maid who was nervous.

Dear Miss Jamie Callaway,

Normally we don’t accept people from another country, but seeing that you are an American living in Mexico whom you live with an American father, it would be wrong not to accept your application. We are please to say that you have been accepted her at University of Southern California. We are looking forward to see you achieve your goals here, have a safe trip, we shall see you in September.

Sincerely,

Headmaster of USC

Jamie read the letter 5 times making sure it was real, she laughed happily and ran to her Father’s study. “Dad, I made it in!” Jamie said smiling, as she showed her Father the letter.

“Honey, this is fantastic! Your mother would be so proud. You’re growing up so fast, I remember the time you were a shy girl at Colorado Springs.” Mr. Callaway said then his eyes widen when he said ‘Colorado Springs.’ He was thankful that he said the last part softly; he just didn’t know that Jamie heard him. Jamie stared at him curiously as she stopped reading the letter for the sixth time.

“Since its August, September is nearly a week away, I shall start packing because my adventure to California waits.” Jamie said as she left the study. ‘So I was really from Colorado Springs?’ Jamie thought to herself.

After two long weeks in Jamie’s opinion, the time to leave was nearly here. Mr. Callaway and Jamie were waiting at the train station while talking about the times when she was still going to school. The trains whistle blew fiercely as it rolled up to a complete stop to let people on.

“This is it Dad, I will see you in a few years.” Jamie said as she hugged her father. “I know you want me to come home every summer, but I would rather stay there.”

“I know, be sure to write or send a telegram.” Mr. Callaway said as he watched his adoptive daughter that he kidnapped leave to California to attend USC and then start a life of her own.

Few days later Jamie walked on the steps of USC, Jamie smiled happily, she looked at her schedule and began to look for her classes. Jamie made new friends as the years passed as she learned to be a journalist; she also took other writing classes so that someday she can write a book.

On the summer of 1893 Jamie just graduated from USC after four long years of learning how to be a journalist and writing classes so that she can someday write a book. While she was attending the school, she befriended an old professor who had retired after she had graduated.

Flashback (1890)

Jamie walked into a classroom that only held a small old professor as she tried to erase the board. “Here let me help you.” Jamie said as she gently grabbed the chalk eraser from her old hands.

“Why thank you dear. Is there anything I can help you with?” The Professor said as she sat in her chair.

“Yes Professor Hall, I was wondering if you can look over my paper that I written in my last class. I heard that you were the best writing teacher in this whole University.

“Well dear I must say that I’m flattered, here let me have a look,” Professor Hall said as she slowly grabbed the paper. “I must say my dear, this is really good. Are you going to be a journalist or a book writer?”

“Hopefully both, I want to at least write one book, but yes, I do want to be a journalist. But I noticed that I’m one of few girls taking the classes that require you to learn how to be journalist.” Jamie said as she grabbed the paper back from the professor.

“Yes, being a journalist is what guys usually do, to be honest, it would be quite hard for you to find a job anywhere, people these days believe that girls are only good to be house wives. I had trouble being a professor here; they believed that I couldn’t do it. After years of trying and proving that I could be Professor, they finally gave in and let me be a writing professor here. Don’t you ever give up doing what you love; there are women out there who want to be a cook, doctor, a bunch of stuff.” Professor Hall said as she smiled. Jamie and she started to talk a lot after the lecture of advice was given by Professor Hall.

End of Flashback

Jamie smiled at the memory, as she continued to travel to different places where she tried to get a job as a journalist. After a year of looking and countless interviews, none has accepted her. Professor Hall told her once to look in places that seem hidden; they are most likely accept her.

She remembered one place in Boston where they had people who works there come to USC to talk to the people who wanted to become a journalist. She met this one journalist named Brian Cooper who told them what it was like being a journalist and the type of thing that they do. After the visit she was able to talk to him, she remembered that day very clearly, because it happened in her third year of college.

Flashback (1892)

Jamie was listening to the journalist speak with complete interest, she remembered that one of them looked at her as if they knew her, but she ignored it completely because she was more interested in them speak. After an hour or two of listening to them speak, they were able to talk to them and just mingle really. Jamie walked up to the one who called himself Brian Cooper.

“Hi Mr. Cooper, my name is Jamie Callaway.” Jamie said as she introduced herself, Brian looked at her and smiled even though he was shocked about how much she reminded him of his sister who was nine years younger than him.

“Hello, please call me Brian. I’m assuming that you have questions?” Brian said as she motioned her to sit down across from him.

“Only if you call me Jamie, and yes I do have questions.” Jamie said while smiling as she sat down across from him. “Was it hard for you to become a journalist?”

“Yes, in my teens I used to work at a gazette with a lady named Miss Dorothy, sweet lady, well one day my Ma took our Pa and little sister Katie to Boston. I planned on showing the News paper place my stuff, because my grandma got me an interview, she recommended me to work for them. Well long story short it took a lot of persuading for them to hire me. Now let me ask you a question. What inspired you to become a journalist?” Brian said as he leaned forward.

“I always loved writing, I used to read the paper a lot, I was always fascinated about where they went to get the story. But I also want to write a book about the simple life, on the frontier. Professor Hall said that it would be hard for me to write, she told me that there are women out there who either want to be a doctor, want to run their own cafe and cook. Others, who just want to be free and have adventure, I want to write about them, about people who want to do something but cant because they are discriminated because of who they are. That is what keeps me here to learn, that is why I want to be a journalist and a book writer if possible.” Jamie said as she spoke from her heart.

“Wow, I can tell that you hold dedication to your work, and to be honest, there are women out there who are doctors, and who own their own café, I suggest you go to Colorado Springs someday, it’s a simple frontier dirt roads, the usual. There are women there who I’m sure would be glad to give you information for your future book. If you ever do write the book, I would be more than happy to buy it.” Brian said as he stood up smiling, but deep inside he felt homesick and a painful memory of his younger sister.

“Well Brian, I would be honored if you did, I will be sure to go to Colorado Springs. It’s been an honor talking to you.” Jamie said as she too stood up from her chair. Brian and Jamie shook hands and they departed.

End of Flashback

She took a train up to Wisconsin; there she found a small town that had concrete roads but still old buildings. She walked through the town looking for a Gazette where she can possibly work at. Just her luck she found it, she smoothed out her long dark brown dress and then smoothed out her dark chocolate-brown straight hair that curled slightly at the tips. She walked in quietly to find a middle age man working.

“Excuse me sir, I recently graduated from USC studying to be a journalist. I was hoping if you would be kind enough to hire me. Here is some of the work I had done during school.” Jamie said as she handed the work to the guy who was staring blankly at her. He grabbed the paper, and started to read it.

“These are great but, you’re a girl, I’m sorry but I don’t hire girls.” The guy said as he pushed the papers back at her.

“Listen, my name is Jamie Sully-Callaway, and I attended USC for four years to study to become a journalist Mr. Dallas,” Jamie said as she read guys name off the name tag he wore on his white vest. “See, you never really know if a person is good at something unless they actually show you recent proof. Let’s make a deal. You let me write something about this town, and if you don’t like it then I won’t bother asking for a job here.”

“Fine, you have until Tuesday, and you better show something worth reading.” Mr. Dallas said as he turned around doing whatever he was doing. Jamie smiled and went outside searching for something to write about.

While walking in the town she noticed that small children were homeless, and that’s where she got the idea what to write. She was going to write about the hardships the town’s people who don’t have homes have. Jamie walked over to the children said hello while she had given them a couple dollars.

“My name is Jamie; would it be okay if I ask you some question?” Jamie asked kindly as she sat next to them. The children nodded shyly and the answered the questions the Jamie through at them.

“I like you Jamie, thank you for the money.” The small girl said as she stood up to leave. Jamie smiled and nodded as she too stood up to leave. She found a small hotel to stay at until she could afford a place of her own or at least until she would be able to have the job. She sat at the bed and started to write her article.

After another day talking to the people who lived on the streets, Tuesday came. On the way to the gazette she reviewed her article; she opened the door to find Mr. Dallas waiting for her.

“’Bout time you showed up, now where is your precious article?” Mr. Dallas said as he leaned forward. Jamie smirked as she walked over to the desk and handed him her article. Mr. Dallas grabbed it and read it. He looked up smiling for the first time since she showed up.

“So, what do you think Mr. Dallas?” Jamie said patiently as she sat in front of his desk.

“Miss. Callaway, I expect you to come to work on time tomorrow at 8 O’ Clock sharp. We are publishing this article of yours in the morning paper. Congratulations, you are now an official worker here at the gazette.” Mr. Dallas said smiling as he turned around to do whatever he was doing.

“Thank you Mr. Dallas, see you tomorrow then.” Jamie said smiling, when she walked out of the door she jumped up and down as she dashed towards the telegram office to tell her father and a short telegram to Brian Cooper and most of all, Professor Hall.

Chapter 3 is done, hope you enjoyed it! Please read and review! The next chapter will still be when she works in the Gazette in Wisconsin. I don’t want to jump too much, and don’t worry, there will be more flashbacks to when she was in college and hopefully growing up in her teen years.