Mia stood in front of the mirror, brushing invisible lint off her outfit for the third time. Her long brown hair draped gracefully down her back as she adjusted her tailored black tweed jumpsuit with wide-leg pants. The jumpsuit created a commanding yet chic silhouette, its structured fit perfectly complemented by the crisp white shirt she wore underneath, the sleeves casually rolled up for a slightly relaxed vibe.
She exhaled, giving her reflection one last, critical glance.
Sarah strolled into the living room, still in her pajamas, a steaming mug of coffee in hand. She chirped excitedly, "It's work-from-home day today!"
They had graduated from the same university, but Sarah had started her job six months ago. Mia, on the other hand, was only just starting out, thrilled to have Sarah there with her, to help guide her through this.
"If you keep doing that, you're going to polish a hole through the fabric," she quipped, stretching her arms above her head.
Mia turned, frowning. "It's my first day. I want to make a good impression."
Sarah raised an eyebrow. "You'll be fine. Just walk in, smile, and don't trip over the coffee machine. That's how I won everyone over."
Mia rolled her eyes, but a small smile tugged at her lips. "Yeah, because tripping is such a great icebreaker."
"Exactly. Makes you human. Relatable." Sarah winked, tossing a piece of toast in Mia's direction.
Mia caught it and sighed. "I wish I had your confidence."
Sarah grinned, leaning against the counter. "You don't need it. You've got something better: that scary-intense focus of yours. They're going to love you."
Mia gave her a sideways glance. "You say that now, but..."
"But nothing. You've got this. You're going to own that office. Trust me." Sarah's smile softened, and she gave Mia a quick hug before returning to her coffee.
As Sarah exited the room, her laughter still lingering in the air, and Mia wished she could bottle some of it, maybe take some of it with her today.
The glass doors of the office slid open with a soft whoosh, and Mia entered the lobby. Modern art pieces hung on the walls, and sleek furniture filled the open spaces. She glanced around, wondering where she fit into all of it. A receptionist handed her a visitor's badge and directed her toward the elevator.
"Here we go," Mia muttered to herself, clutching her bag like a lifeline. She took a deep breath before stepping onto the elevator, straightening her posture even more, to perfect every inch of herself for this new beginning.
When the doors opened, a young man with a lanyard dangling from his neck greeted her with an exuberant wave. "Amelia! Right on time. I'm Charlie." His grin was as bright as the fluorescent lights overhead. "Come on, let me show around."
Charlie's enthusiasm was infectious as he led her through the maze of open workspaces and cubicles, chatting nonstop. He pointed out the essentials: the break room ("Coffee machine's temperamental but worth it"), the meeting rooms ("All named after random animals for no reason"), and the best vending machine ("Row B, second from the left—trust me").
Mia smiled at his jokes, but still kept mental notes. "You'll get the hang of it," Charlie continued. "This place is pretty laid-back. Just be yourself."
Finally, they stopped at a desk tucked into the corner near a window that framed the city skyline. Mia stared at the blank monitor and the clean desk space, taking a moment to let it sink in.
YOU ARE READING
You, Me and a Shoe Lace
Dragoste"He tied a shoe lace, and she tied him to her thoughts." A stranger, a simple act of kindness-a man helping a woman with her shoe. But for Mia, it was something more. The moment was brief, fleeting. He helped, then vanished, as quickly as he'd appea...
