A Fragile Illusion

Chapter two: New Direction

The career fair had come and gone without much fanfare. Ava and Clara had managed to visit a few tables, shake a few hands, and collect a bunch of company brochures that would likely never be read. Now, back in their apartment, the two sat on the floor of their living room, surrounded by a mess of takeout containers and half-hearted job search materials.

"That was underwhelming," Ava muttered, leaning back against the couch. "I feel like we just wasted two hours."

Clara, with her ever-present sense of optimism, waved a hand dismissively. "It wasn't so bad. I mean, we got free water bottles, met a few decent recruiters, and—" she held up a glossy pamphlet from a travel company, "—you could always get a job leading guided hikes in the Alps or something."

Ava snorted. "Yeah, because my degree in English literature has prepared me so well for that."

Clara tossed the pamphlet aside and gave Ava a knowing look. "Okay, fine. So the fair was a bust, but you've still got options, Ava. I mean, the publishing house internship could still turn into something, right?"

Ava bit her lip. She'd been banking on that internship at the publishing house to open doors, but lately, she wasn't so sure. The work was fine—editing manuscripts, helping with marketing campaigns—but something about it felt... off. Unfulfilling. And though she hadn't admitted it out loud, she wasn't sure if she could see herself working there long-term.

"I don't know," Ava said, her voice quieter now. "It's just... I thought I'd be more excited about it by now. I thought this was what I wanted."

Clara's brow furrowed as she considered this. "So, what do you want?"

Ava blinked, the question hanging in the air between them. It was a simple question, one people had been asking her for years, but she still didn't have an answer.

"I wish I knew," Ava said softly. "I mean, I love books, I love writing, but the thought of sitting behind a desk all day editing someone else's work for the rest of my life? I don't know if that's it."

Clara gave her a sympathetic smile, then leaned in conspiratorially. "Maybe it's time to try something completely different. Shake things up, you know?"

Ava raised an eyebrow. "Like what?"

Clara's eyes sparkled with mischief. "Okay, hear me out—what if you took a gap year after graduation? Just one year to travel, explore, figure out what you really want. You're always saying you want to see the world, right? Why not do it now, while you've got the chance?"

Ava stared at her best friend, the idea simultaneously exhilarating and terrifying. A gap year? She had thought about it once or twice, usually in passing when she'd catch herself daydreaming about far-off places and different lives, but she'd never seriously considered it. Her parents had always expected her to jump straight into a career after graduation, and she had internalized that plan without question.

"I don't know, Clara," Ava said, shaking her head. "My parents would flip if I told them I wasn't going straight into a job."

"Your parents would understand eventually," Clara said, her tone more serious now. "This is your life, not theirs. And honestly, maybe you need a break from all the expectations. Take some time to figure out what really makes you happy."

Ava looked down at her hands, her mind racing. The idea of taking a year off was appealing in ways she hadn't expected. She'd spent so long following the path laid out for her—good grades, a solid internship, a respectable career plan—but maybe it was time to step off that path, even just for a little while.

Clara nudged her with a grin. "Plus, you wouldn't be alone. I've been thinking about it too."

Ava's head snapped up. "Wait, what?"

Clara shrugged, a small smile playing on her lips. "Yeah, I mean, it's something I've been toying with. I love art, but I'm not ready to dive straight into some corporate design job. I've been thinking about taking some time to travel, maybe work on my own projects, see where life takes me."

Ava stared at her, processing the idea. Clara was always the adventurous one, the dreamer, but even for her, this seemed like a big step. The fact that Clara was even considering it made Ava feel a little less crazy for thinking about it herself.

"Where would we go?" Ava asked cautiously, the thought of traveling the world with Clara starting to spark something inside her.

Clara's face lit up, excitement bubbling in her voice. "Everywhere! Europe, South America, Asia—wherever we want! We could work odd jobs, maybe freelance a bit to fund our adventures. It doesn't have to be forever, just enough time to reset, you know?"

Ava smiled, her mind spinning with the possibilities. It wasn't a plan she'd ever thought she'd entertain, but maybe that was exactly why she should. The idea of breaking free from the constant pressure of figuring out her future felt liberating. Maybe taking time to explore, to live outside the confines of a structured career, was what she needed to find her true direction.

"Okay," Ava said slowly, the word tasting strange but right. "Let's do it. Let's take a gap year."

Clara's eyes widened with excitement, and she let out a triumphant laugh. "Seriously? You're in?"

Ava nodded, her heart pounding with a mix of fear and anticipation. "Yeah, I'm in."

Clara threw her arms around Ava, nearly knocking her over in her enthusiasm. "This is going to be amazing! We're going to have the best year of our lives."

Ava laughed, the sound lighter than it had been in months. For the first time in a long while, she felt like she was making a decision that was entirely her own. And though she had no idea what the future held, she knew one thing for sure—whatever came next, she wouldn't be facing it alone.

With Clara by her side, the world suddenly seemed full of endless possibilities.