Weeks had passed since graduation, and the reality of adult life was finally settling in.
No more lecture halls, no more assignments, no more running late for class. Just a small apartment, bills, and job applications.
Amelia watched Beth move around their shared space with the precision of someone who already had a plan, reorganizing the kitchen and unpacking boxes they had ignored for weeks. Beth seemed to have mastered adulthood already while Amelia was still trying to figure out the rules.
Finding a job had been harder than she imagined. Interviews ended in polite refusals, usually followed by the same excuse, lack of experience, being overqualified, or some other carefully worded rejection.
Amelia had two thousand dollars to my name, but her determination to refused to die. She couldn't become the burden Beth's parents had already gone out of their way to support.
Beth, on the other hand, seemed to glide through life with an energy Amelia envied.
That morning, She had gone for an interview at her dream law firm. Now she was back bubbling with excitement and dragging Amelia into every detail as though she had been there herself.
Amelia leaned back on the couch, folding her arms as she watched Beth's animated expressions. "So what did you see that got you so excited? Was it the office or the boss?"
Beth grinned from ear to ear. " You have no idea, Lia. Jacob Gold is exactly like they say. Tall, smooth voice, the kind of man you notice without even trying. And his office, oh my God, it smells like success." she clasped her hands dramatically. "I swear, I was tempted to just sit on his couch and take a nap. But then I remembered I was there for an interview."
Amelia raised an eyebrow. "You almost got distracted by furniture and fragrance? Typical Beth."
"Lia, it is not just the furniture. It is everything about him. His presence is like…" Beth paused, searching for the right word. "Powerful. You know, not scary, just… commanding. And yet, gentle." She bit her lip, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
Amelia sighed and shook her head. "Well, I hope your professionalism survived all that admiration."
"It did!" Beth laughed. "I think I impressed him too. He was surprised that I came prepared and dressed appropriately. He even said I stood out because I wasn't like the other girls. You know, not trying too hard." She giggled, bouncing slightly on her heels.
Amelia smiled despite myself. That was Beth, always finding joy in small victories, always seeing the world with hope.
Unlike Amelia , who was already calculating how to survive until the next opportunity came along.
"You will find your way too, Lia," Beth said softly, noticing her silence. "Why not start somewhere small? Even a cafe, a bookstore, anything that pays the bills while you search for your dream job."
Amelia considered her advice. Dakota's Cafe was near their apartment, small but popular with locals and office workers. It wasn't a law firm or a corporate office, but it could be a start. A place where she could learn something, earn something and stop depending entirely on Beth's family.
She made up my mind that evening. She would apply at the café, learn everything she could, and start rebuilding her confidence.
Beth cheered quietly from the couch, looking proud as ever, for the first time in weeks, Amelia felt a small spark of hope.
Adult life was harsh, but it had one thing going for her. She was ready to fight it, one step at a time, even if it meant wearing an apron instead of a business suit for now.