Mother

Chapter 2

Time skip* next day

Saturday

Today I woke up later than usual. it's Saturday and I don't have work. But I needed to find an extra job so I can keep up with my rent because the constant pressure of money has lately been killing me. My landlord has already warned me twice about paying rent on time. Any more slips, and I might end up homeless. I can't let that happen.

I opened my phone and started searching for jobs. After scrolling for what felt like forever, i stumbled across a private school that was looking for an art teacher. I applied as quickly as possible cause I really needed this job.

I hoped that they'd at least give me an interview. But I couldn't just rely on one job. After all, who knows how many other people were applying?Just in case I don't get picked I continued looking for more jobs to send applications to.

A cafe nearby was hiring and so was the grocery store. I sent applications to both of them, Trying to stay hopeful. after scrolling through my phone for an hour I rolled out of bed and made my way to the bathroom to take a quick shower. I got undressed, tied my hair in a ponytail and turned the water on.

The water felt good against my skin, but I knew I couldn't stay in too long because every single drop counted these days and I needed to save as much as I could both money and water. I shut off the water, leaving the warm hot bathroom and stepping back into my cold bedroom. I walked to my wardrobe quickly drying off before slipping into a pair of old jeans and a faded T-shirt.

I don't have time to worry about new clothes right now. Besides, who was I trying to impress? I glanced at my phone again, hoping for a notification, but there was nothing. No emails. No missed calls. Not that I really expected anything to come through so quickly, but the hope was still there.

I sat at the kitchen table, sipping on a cup of tea that was already starting to get cold. Quiet.. I'd always liked living alone. But lately, the silence was starting to feel like a weight pressing down on me. I checked the time 11:00 AM.

I figured I should head out and see if I could drop off my resume in person at a few places. That cafe wasn't far, and maybe showing up in person would help. getting changed to more professional clothes I packed my bag and made my way to the front door grabbed my keys, and stepped outside.

The cold air hit me with a crisp chill as I walked down the narrow streets toward the cafe. The world felt a little too bright with people bustling around me, carefree as they sipped their lattes and chatted about weekend plans. Meanwhile, I was hoping I could land another job just to cover rent for the next month.

As I reached the cafe, my heart pounded as I stepped inside, the warmth of the place enveloping me. The woman behind the counter glanced up with a welcoming smile."Hi there, what can I get for you?"

"Actually, I'm here to see if you're still hiring," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "I applied online, but I wanted to drop off my resume in person. Just in case."

"Oh, is our post still up, I'm sure we took it down last month." She said confused while whispering the last part to herself . "I'm sorry We're not hiring at the moment , the post you saw was an old one that should have been already taken down I'm so sorry" she continued looking at me with weary in her eyes.

"would you like to speak to the manager I can go get her" she added sliding back my resume. "No, no need for the manager I understand thank you for your time" I thanked her feeling heart broken. The first step was a disaster, and now I can feel my stress catching up to me

after thanking the  women  behind the counter i left through the door  and started walking  down the street, I couldn't shake the feeling that It wasn't just about getting any job—it was about getting something that felt right, something that didn't feel like I was just doing it part time. I needed a permanent job where I wouldn't have to worry about next year's work place.

As I was walking through the pedestrian crossing, I thought about the art teacher position. Teaching art sounded like a dream. If I could land that job, it wouldn't just be about surviving—it'd be a chance to actually do something I actually loved and I would also have a permanent job.

I looked up noticing that I had already arrived in front of my apartment complex. I made my way up stairs to the 5th floor, I took my keys opened my door and got inside.

I took off my shoes and put my bag down on the floor before walking to the kitchen counter. "Ugh" I groan as I looked into my empty fridge "I don't have money right now for food I'm going to have to survive on what I have left until m next payment." I thought to myself a little disappointed and exhausted. I was about to enter my bathroom before my phone rang.