Supply and Demand // H.S.

one

AMELIA CLAXTON
MAY 14TH, 2021

It's been said time and time again: graduate school is not for the faint of heart. Rigorous academics! No social activities more than once a week! Writing a thirty page essay to prove to a group of tenured professors that you actually know something! Having to teach a group of freshmen who are just sitting before you to meet a credit requirement!

Thankfully, my second to last semester has finally ended. No more teaching 18 year olds about basic economics. My thesis is under review before I defend it in a few weeks. This period of my life is soon coming to close in a few short months. Soon, I'll be Amelia Claxton, M.A.

Academics has taken up most of the last five years of my life. From business school during undergrad to working towards a Masters in Economics at Columbia. It's been the center of my life. My relationships in life consist of study groups, fellow grad students in my program, my thesis committee and my lifelong best friend... Ruby Wilson.

Ruby and I are polar opposites in every aspect. She works in fashion. She dresses in vibrant colors, I stick to the neutrals. She sips on bright pink Cosmos, while I nurse a glass of Pinot Noir. She spends her weekends at parties thrown by New York elite, fashion houses and Vogue. I use my weekend to dive into the fascinating world of micro- and macroeconomics.

She's been my forever partner in crime though. Growing up in the suburbs of D.C, we became inseparable at the ripe age of 10. For fifteen years, Ruby has been by my side through everything. We moved to New York City in the second year of our  undergrad's. She realized fashion was where her heart lied and I realized what better place to study economics than where the literal stock market resided.

We found a home in New York City. She works as a junior editor for Vogue, rubbing elbows with fashion designers large and small. Which is how I've found myself being her plus one tonight for some fashion show and the exclusive after party.

"Mia!" Ruby shouts from her room in our apartment. "Get your ass in here to try on this dress I stole from work!"

One of best things about Ruby's job at Vogue has to be the clothes. Fashion houses send pieces constantly for the magazine to use for editorial pieces and in turn, a few pieces find their way to our little SoHo apartment. For a girl who is paid on a measly graduate stipend for teaching, I thank the fashion gods.

As I cross Ruby's threshold, I take in the train wreck that would be her bedroom. Garment bags litter the floor and dresses of all shades are strewn across the bed. The destructor herself stands in the corner holding up a little black dress and a devilish grin on her face. Becoming a human Barbie doll is inevitable when your best friend lives and breathes fashion.

I take the hanger from her to inspect the outfit she's delivered this time. The black fabric feels luxurious and the Gucci tag proves me right.

After undressing, Ruby helps me slide the tight dress up over my hips. She stands behind me as I watch her in the mirror perfecting the capped sleeves and sliding a few bracelets to my wrist to perfect the look. I examine myself in the mirror and smile to myself at how pretty I feel. Ruby is amazing at making you feel beautiful. She can turn anything into an amazing outfit, whether it be from the Goodwill rack or the Vogue collection.

"Mia, maybe this dress will finally get you a guy in... how long has it been again? Since Matthew Hayes in third grade kissed you behind the trees?" Ruby jokes from where she is slipping on her own 'stolen' green dress.

"Very funny, Rue. You know I don't date not because I can't get a guy but because of how insanely busy school is," I reason with her. "I don't have the time to focus on..."

She cuts me off, "men and relationships when my life has to revolve around the importance of economics in today's society and why we can't just print more money and the rest of that bullshit. You know what, I'll give you a wonderful economic example... a man supply's sex to meet your orgasm demand!"

I chuckle at the innuendo before replying, "your understanding of economics is quite adorable. Maybe after graduation I'll fill the insufferable void you believe I have."

With a roll of her eyes, she pulls out a tube of lipgloss and applies before passing to me.

"Mia, you're hot. You're insanely smart. You're going to be a badass economics woman or whatever they're called in a few months with a sexy M.A. behind your name. Your semester is over and a break from school is right here. Live a little. Date a guy or ten! Fuck a guy or ten if you don't want to date. Expand your horizon beyond academia. You're 25 years old and you've filled your life with school. You have never spent a summer break without some type of class or internship. You've finally learned to take a few months off to rest, so live it up to the fullest!"

I smile at her words. She's right. It's the first time I have ever used a break to be, well, a break. No summer classes, no extra teaching positions for petty cash, no internship. Just me and a summer of possibility in New York freaking City.

"Alright, Rue. I'll think about it. Now if we don't go, we will miss the train." I grab my clutch with my phone and keys.

"The train? Honey, Vogue is sending a car," she smirks as she pushes us out of the apartment.

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okayyy, so chapter one! how are we feeling? i am feeling excited and inspired. see you soon.
- T