The sun was setting, casting long, dusty shadows across the living room floor, I was curled up on the couch, laptop open when Kenya walked in with two mugs of tea. She sat down beside me, finally keeping her phone.
"still hiding from the world?" she teased, taking a sip. "No, I'm building a new one ", I confessed.
She looked at me for a moment and asked "How was your conversation with Elias?"
"My conversation with Elias made me realize that I have been writing myself into the wrong genre, the tragedy of the misunderstood heroine. I'm done now. I just applied for an internship". Kenya nearly choked on her tea. She set the mug down gently. "Wait, Elias? Our Elias? They guy who only talks in tools and lumber? He was able to get you to apply for an internship?"
"He told me pain is a signal, not a conclusion," I explained to Kanye, feeling a strange mix of clarity and pride. "He said I have agency and I need to focus on a structure that accepts visible support beams.
"Well, I will be damned. You did it, S! That's it, no more heartbreaks, just deadlines."
We didn't have much time to talk more, because Auntie called us for dinner.
The mood at the table was warm, but half way through the meal, I felt the need to make my public declaration. I set my fork down, gathering my courage. "I have something to say", I announced. I looked at uncle David and Auntie Sarah. "I am done mourning my ex-boyfriends. I'm done being the girl who only gets noticed for her heartbreaks. I have decided to focus on my career, so I applied for a summer internship at Bright pages publishing."
Auntie Sarah clapped her hands with delight. "oh, simone, that is wonderful, that's exactly what you need, you will be brilliant at it."
Uncle David nodded, his expression was serious. "That's a responsible action, Simone. That's a good foundation. We are very proud ". Kenya immediately raised her glass of water "To Simone, the unstoppable protagonist! The tragedy genre is officially over".
The evening continued with genuine warmth and celebration.
I fell into my bed, exhausted but happy, when my phone buzzed on the nightstand, it was an email.
Subject : Interview confirmation. Bright pages publishing
Dear Simone,
Your application was received and immediately moved to the priority list. We are highly impressed with your structural analysis essay.
Please report to our Atlanta office tomorrow morning at 9:00 AM for your interview with the senior Editor.
Tomorrow? I was shaking with shock and excitement, I grabbed my phone and immediately ran down the hall to wake Kenya.
"Ken! Kenya! Kenya! Wake up ".
Kenya stumbles out of her room, rubbing her eyes.
"what? Did the house catch fire?"
"I got the interview!" I whispered loudly, holding up my phone. "Tomorrow morning, by 9am".
Kenya instantly came alive, pulling me in for a quick, sleepy hug. "This is it, S! Now go memorize that essay and focus ".
The next day, it was a dizzying rush. I nailed the interview, channeling every piece of my mindset. Ms. Eleanor Wells, the senior Editor, didn't let me leave the office before giving me the news.
"The summer internship is yours. We need you to start immediately, tomorrow ".
I was so excited, I called Kenya first. "I got it Ken, I will be starting tomorrow, tell Auntie Sarah I need a chocolate cake tonight! "
Later that evening, the whole family celebrated my success again. I called my dad and his pride was the only payment I needed.
But as I drifted off to sleep that night, I was blissfully unaware that my new life was about to begin in the office owned and run by Theodore Vance, the elder brother of the popular guy in school, the one from the party, Julian Vance.