The drive is bumpy and long, giving me a lot of time to just stare out the window. I grow bored easily, then quickly check my phone. There’s no text or new emails. I follow with hopping onto my Insta and see a DM in the corner. Quickly tapping on the icon, most of it is stuff my sisters sent me, but then I see a message from an unknown username. It takes me a few minutes to figure out it must be Beau given the handle is Bromano. If I’m not mistaken, it’s supposed to be like Bromance since the profile pic is some guy, maybe his bestie, posing with him.
Bromano:My new professor’s name is Alex Edwards. Thought you’d like to know how awkward Economics is for me now. At least she’s fun to look at.
I shake my head with a grin, but just as I’m about to respond, things start to look familiar. We’re on the same street as my high school. The nostalgia is overwhelming. So many times, I’d driven down this street with Cole’s hand resting on my knee as we talked about all the things we were going to do once we graduated.
Now, I’m here without a job or even a permanent place to stay while he’s playing happy families.
The reality is brutal with its force, but I refuse to break down on a bus in front of a bunch of strangers. Just like inside the elevator, I try to think of anything else to distract me.
This is too hard. Maybe I should just go back.
My phone vibrates in my hand, interrupting my depressive thoughts. I quickly hit answer, not recognizing the number but pick it up in case it’s a job I’ve applied for.
“Hello?”
“Am I speaking with Alexandra Edwards?”
“Yes.” I clear my throat and sit up to pay attention. “I’m Alexandra.”
“It’s Meredith Hancock. Have I caught you at an inconvenient time?”
“Not at all,” I lie.
“Good. I’d like to offer you the role of junior assistant.”
My eyes widen as my breath catches in my throat. I open my mouth to talk, but words don’t come out. With a quick swallow, I try again, careful not to stammer.
“You’d like to offer me the role?”
“Yes,” Meredith confirms. “I can email across all the details and employment forms if you’d like to accept.”
“Of course, I accept,” I answer in disbelief, with a smile breaking loose. “I mean to say, thank you. This means so much to me.”
“Good,” she responds, then continues. “Congratulations, Alexandra. I’ll be in touch once you respond to the email.”
TWELVE
The universe is finally on my side.
Damn, April has finally gotten to me.
This could be the start of a new life, one I've dreamed of for such a long time. I quickly press on my phone again, dialing Ava's number. The phone rings for the longest time as I tap my foot impatiently on the dirty floor. I'm going to have to catch the bus every single goddamn day until I can save some money to buy my own car.
I guess it could be so much worse.
“Hey, what's up?” Ava answers quickly. “I'm kind of in the middle of something.”
“Kind of in the middle of what?” I ask, cringing.
“God, nothing like that,” she claims. “Besides, it's like midday, and I've got one kid who refuses to take a nap and another who is completely zonked out on the couch. Do you know what that means?”
“What does that mean?”
“It means their naptimes are no longer synced. I have to somehow figure out how to get things done because I’ve lost two hours of freedom.”
“Just call Mom to help you.”
“I can't just run to Mom every time I need help,” Ava raises her voice, but it wakes whoever is asleep, so she lowers her tone to barely above a whisper.