EMMA’s POV :
--- Eight Months Later--- -
"To the last finals week ever!"
I exclaimed and raised my glass.
"I'll never have to see another Calculus textbook ever again!"
Sophie chimed in, raising hers too.
"Four years of sleepless nights and anxiety over student debt, and now we get to do it all again, except with a job instead of school,"
Tristan added and we burst out laughing.
Sophie, Tristan, and I were celebrating the last finals week of our college career.
The three of us and Elliott went to this fancy Italian restaurant and ordered one of their most expensive bottles of wine.
Why? Because we freaking deserved it, that's why.
We had been slaving our asses off for the last four years, and this week was the end of all that.
"I don’t remember being this happy graduating from university,"
Elliott chuckled and watched us merrily downed our drinks.
"Once you start working, you're going to wish you're still back in school,"
"That's what a lot of people say, but I’m just tired of learning, you know?"
Sophie replied.
"I'm ready to get out there and do something real for a change,"
"Hear, hear,"
Tristan raised his glass again.
"Yeah, me too,"
I agreed.
"I’m kinda over school.I’m tired of being a student,"
"Ah, school,"
Elliott nodded and sighed, "Students hate it, and us teachers hate it too.How could it last for so long? Who knows,"he shrugged and we laughed.
This was a big week for me, the last week of me being a student.
What an interesting word.
Student.
School.
Teacher.
He hasn't been my teacher for years, but every time the word comes up, all I could think of him was him.
"So, what are your plans after graduation?"
Elliott asked the group.
"I'm thinking Chicago or New York, but I might be persuaded to stay in Philly if there’s a good offer,"
Sophie answered.
"I'm keeping my options open,"
Tristan said.
"I applied everywhere, but I’m really into the Times or the San Francisco Chronicle.If I could get a shot out there, that'd be amazing,"
"And you, love?"
Elliott asked me.
"Well, I've been applying to places, but so far I haven't heard from any"
* RING * RING * RING * My words were suddenly cut short by the sudden ringing of my phone.
I picked it up quickly and muttered, "Sorry..."
I was about to hit the reject button, when I noticed that it was a 212 number calling me.212 was the area code for Manhattan.Who could possibly be calling me from Manhattan? Oh, wait a minute...
"Guys, it's a New York number,"
I said, pausing for a second before getting up and leaving the table.
"Excuse me for a second,"
Making my way through the row of tables, I quickly stepped outside the restaurant and picked up the phone before it stopped ringing.
"Hello?"
I pressed the phone tightly to my ears.
"Hi, is this Emma Sinclair?"a woman's voice spoke.
"Yes, this is she,"
"Hi, Emma.
I’m Margaret, and I’m calling on behalf of David Haskell from the New York Magazine,"
Margaret's voice was calm and clear, but the moment I heard the words ‘New York Magazine’, I almost dropped my phone in shock.
"Oh, hey, hi, yes,"
I stammered nervously.
"David's seen your resume and he’s heard great things about you from your professor.
is perfect for you
wants to see you for an interview, maybe
"Ah...yes!"
half gaped, half
"Yes, absolutely, yes!"
the 20th good
"Yes, that’s perfect,"
though she
you with the details
"Yes, wonderful,"
have a good
you, Margaret, thank you so,
and squeaking in excitement as I turned off
me felt like I was floating, like
was that all
I reached the
New York Magazine wants
and shook my
"Who?"
Sophie asked.
of the greatest
and
the job you wanted!"the light bulb finally clicked in
me a
guys, I'm freaking
through
with my hand because suddenly I felt
wants to interview me
do great.He'll love
waved her
at you, who
"Exactly,"
Elliott nodded in agreement.
"Perfectly said,"
I'm so nervous
said through gritted
ever since
an interview with perhaps
took my hand in his, squeezing
Friday.I can
Tristan added.
have a meeting with my professor that Friday, so
Sophie pouted.
be waiting at home with pizza
don’t even know if I'll get the
getting an interview with David Haskell is a feat in itself, you
Tristan replied.
David Haskell is a busy man.He must really think
no matter what,"Sophie
guys,"I smiled and looked at
don't know what I'll
to give me a kiss on the
else did they tell
job, I could start working there immediately right
"Wow!" Sophie gasped.
Elliott looked
"That's amazing!"
Tristan nodded.
believe this is
somewhat
prepare my portfolio
everything
enough time to impress David Haskell, I have to get started right away!"I got up
to go
we're in the middle of celebrating,"Sophie
after David Haskell,"I gulped the last of my wine down and
and finish the meal, I'll make sure she
"Please do,"
in her eyes
chuckled and waved
at her, I gave Sophie one
next few days, I was Emma
all kinds of information about David
a whole speech about why I think
for this interview, it was haunting
front of the board of editors, I was standing in front of them, butt
interview was in three days and I hadn’t picked
an important part of the interview because first impressions
I'm Emma and I'm a confident and hardworking employee, but also I can be
and research paper on the floor, I jumped up to my feet and headed for
Marie Kondo would
was scattered everywhere and old boxes and suitcases and
done with finals, but turns out I
I know I have
the ground, I pushed and shoved the pile of dirty laundry away,
as my hand reached deep into the corner of the room, I felt something small
It was a book.
and under the dim closet light, I read the title of the
lan and I used to read together and we
book
what started our whole
but now, it was the most horrible book
have to hurt this bad? And deep inside the closet,
the inside, he had our favorite quote from
the first present he ever got me and probably the best present I'd ever
kept it all these years, hidden deep inside the
"Emma?"
voice pulling me back to
you in
back to the corner and
"Elliott!"
to see him standing in my
"Hey, what’s going on?"
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
The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!