The Delivery Girl

7. First day

Julie

"This doesn't feel right," I call to Casey through the changing room's curtain. "I'm changing back."

"Julie!" she scolds. "Come on, let me see at least."

I hesitantly pull the curtain aside and step out. Casey hops up from the cushiony sofa and gives me a wide smile. "It's perfect!" She grabs my wrist and tugs me to the mirror.

A more professional looking Julie awkwardly stares back at me. A fitted, black pencil skirt with a matching blazer, a burgundy blouse, and black high heels that feel like they're about to snap my ankles. The sales associate briefly takes a look and makes some comments about tailoring – she's been too busy with a woman who's definitely planning to spend at least ten times as much as I am to pay me any attention.

"It feels foreign," I say, looking at Casey in the mirror. "I don't think it suits me. Like I said this morning, you'll have to pry my leggings and sweaters out of my cold, dead hands."

Casey snorts. "You're being dramatic. It fits perfectly, unlike that discount disaster you threw together for your interview."

Casey, who recently became a big fashion designer's apprentice, almost spat out her coffee when I showed up at the cafe for lunch after the interview. I almost couldn't tell whether she was laughing or crying while struggling to get a single sentence out.

"You're sure this skirt isn't too short?" I ask, trying to look at myself from different angles. "And are these sleeves too long?"

She rolls her eyes and gives me a nudge. "You look great. You'll fit right in at that fancy office and your fancy new job."

Having been best friends since kindergarten, Casey has always been one of the few people I trust enough to confide in. No one besides her knows about the new job, and I intend to keep it that way.

"I'm just an assistant," I mumble.

She rolls up the magazine she was reading and bops me on the head. "You've been talking about wanting to work there since we were kids! This is just the beginning," she says sternly, but earnestly. "Enjoy it, girl."

–

"And your TA for this class will be Julie Leong," Professor Kim introduces me and takes a few steps away from the podium. "Julie, would you like to introduce yourself?"

I nod, getting up from my seat and standing at the front of the lecture hall.

The room of nearly three hundred wide-eyed freshmen stare back at me. It's been six years, but I still remember how I felt in their position. Two weeks into the new school year – into a new chapter of life.

"Thank you, Professor." Public speaking has never been my cup of tea, but after the interview with Callen Sterling, this is a piece of cake. "Hi everyone, my name is Julie. I majored in Software Engineering and minored in Computer Science during undergrad, and I'm doing a Masters in Software Engineering now. My contact info is on the syllabus, feel free to contact me if you need anything."

I sit back down and Professor Kim continues giving an overview of the course. I'm barely paying attention – all I can think about is my first day.

–

I tap my foot against the floor as I impatiently wait in line for the washroom. It's only 9:10, but I'm ridiculously antsy. I debate sneaking into the men's washroom but, fortunately, someone comes out of a stall. I nearly bump into her as I rush in.

I hang up my bag and quickly tug my U of C sweatshirt and sweatpants off before changing into my new outfit. Casey convinced me to buy a few more items and helped me pair together a few cohesive outfits. Today's is a sky blue dress and black blazer with wobbly, nude heels.