Artificial Tears

Chapter 1

"So, are you excited for tomorrow?" My friend Nova asks me with a smile, while we are at a café in the mall.

"Yes, honestly I was quite surprised when I heard that I was hired."

I look at the steam dancing out of my warm cup of hot chocolate.

I finally got the job I wanted for so long and after working hard to get my diploma I have been hired by the company of my dreams.

As if noticing my hesitation she asks: "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, it's just a lot. Suddenly we just get thrown into the life of an adult. Don't get me wrong, I'm already used to paying taxes for a while now, but now we don't even have school anymore. The thought alone is just crazy"

Nova laughs: "Yeah, trust me, I know the feeling." She takes a sip of her drink and continues: "But relax, you'll do great. I know you will, I've had to spend the last four years with you anyway."

"Yes, I know." I answer to her friendly teasing.

I look outside the glass window, ads are everywhere. There are several for different clothing stores, discounts, implants, magazines, games, etc. They color the place up, unlike the grey buildings around it.

So tomorrow I still need to pick an outfit, make lunch, not forget breakfast, leave the apartment in time, take the train and get there early. The thoughts of all the things I still need to do stress me out a little, but I will just do whatever I can to make a good first-impression.

After some shopping and going to the café we return to our apartment and get ready for tomorrow.

It's pretty scary, I didn't expect to be hired here at the Othersoft office. I just got out of university and this will be my first real job. My first real, grown-up job.

I am standing in front of the building, not yet sure what to do. It looks gigantic... well, it is a big company after all.

It still feels like nothing short of a dream, all the studying and cramming for tests has brought me to this very moment.

I adjust my bag, take a deep breath and enter the glass doors of the building.

When I walk to the front-desk, the lady behind the desk looks up at me and smiles.

"Good morning, what can I do for you?"

"I'm Edith Shaw and it's my first day here." My voice trembles a bit when I say it, I hope I didn't say it too softly.

She gives me another smile, thank god she heard me!

"Of course, I can see you right here." She taps with her pen against the screen. "You are very early, that's good. You will need to go to the third floor, here is a keycard to get in."

"T-thank you!"

Embarrassed by the compliments and my own awkwardness I take the card thanking her.

It takes just a few steps to get to my next dilemma, although it may be small.

Elevator or stairs?

I check my phone, I surely am still about half an hour too early. It might not be very sporty of me, but I better take the elevator. I don't want to be all sweaty when I start my first day.