We Who Are Broken (UNDER CONSTRUCTION AGAIN)

1- Evelyn

I wasn't used to the sound of other people's doors slamming out in the hallway yet, but it at least served as a backup alarm clock. I sat up in my bed, the gray and purple sheets and blankets tangled from the way I tossed and turned in my sleep.

I reached for my phone immediately, a habit I had developed in the ninth grade when I first got my phone. This time, however, I actually had something to look for. I opened my email and saw the third one down beaming up at me: "Stone Records"

I tapped on it with a force that could've broken my phone if not for the soft nature of my fingertips. I skimmed the first couple of lines to determine the tone of the email, then jumped up like toaster bread. I squealed and whipped out what little dancing skills I had to celebrate my own small victory.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw my roommate poke her head out from behind the wall, where she was getting ready in front of her mirror.

"You good back there?" she asked, holding an eyeliner pencil in her left hand. If she could only have one makeup product for the rest of her life, it would be her eyeliner.

I smiled as I looked at Amber. Her dirty-blonde hair cascaded down her shoulders, resting in the middle of her back. She turned her focus back to her mirror, applying the black pencil around her soft brown eyes, creating a kind of smoldering look.

We had only known each other for a couple of weeks but we were already quickly becoming close friends. Which was rare for me. I didn't usually have a lot of luck in the friend department. So, I was cautiously optimistic about her.

"I got accepted into the internship program!" I yelled to her.

She stayed silent for a couple of moments as she finished lining her waterline.

"That's great!! Congrats. So, party tonight then?" she urged as she wiggled her eyebrows, finally facing me.

Amber had been trying to get me to go to one with her since we arrived, but I wanted to get settled first. Or at least that's what I told her. I never felt comfortable at parties but not because of the drinking or anything like that. I had truthfully only been to one party aside from my little cousin Amelia's seventh birthday party.

However, my acceptance to the internship program filled me with an excitement that I felt was worthy of a party.

"Sure," I agreed.

"Finally!!"

I chuckled and read the rest of the email, learning that I had to stop by the office at some point today to receive more information and that I'd begin interning from 2 pm to about 5 pm for the rest of the week, starting tomorrow.

After this week, my schedule was apparently going to change based on my and the company's needs. Satisfied with this, I got dressed in light blue skinny jeans and a green, off-the-shoulder top. I got ready for the day, quickly tossing on some light makeup, brushing my teeth, and fixing my hair.

"You ready?" I asked Amber.

"Yep," she responded as we both grabbed our bags and left for the dining hall.

With a full stomach, I checked the schedule on my phone to find my first class. I made my way to the appropriate building, taking in the sights. The brown buildings stood tall on every side, shielding us from the rest of the city. The brick pathways were broken up with oddly perfect rectangles of grass and trees, attempting to bring nature back into the campus.

When I got the acceptance letter from the University of Southern California, I was surprised. However, after their recent scandals—the doctor's misconduct and the whole admissions deal— it made more sense.