You Took Me By Surprise (Joker Fanfic)

2 ~ A New Friend Called Sophie

I wake up the next day to sunlight streaming through my window that I haven't bought blinds for yet. I'm determined to save up money and move to a nicer building. There are cracks on the walls, it's damp, mouldy and cold, and I think I heard a mouse squeaking during the night. Ah well, you gotta start somewhere.
I put on a white shirt and some black trousers, wanting to look somewhat decent for this interview. It's an interview for a dental receptionist. I was a receptionist for a year before I moved here, so I have some experience.
As I leave the building, I look across the steet and see a cute clown dancing around with a sign for a sale in the nearest shop. A guy is playing a piano alongside him and I walk along, enjoying the jaunty music. This city seems pretty nice, even though bags of trash line the sidewalks. The dentist's where I have my interview is only a few blocks away, so I take one deep breath and push in the door.
It is only 15 minutes later and I'm coming back out and feeling optimistic. They're gonna ring me tomorrow to let me know.
I decide to stop by a store and pick up a few basic things.
Awhile after I'm back in my apartment, I hear a knock on my door and rush over to open it.
A coloured lady with beautiful afro hair and a jolly face is grinning at me.
"Hi! My name's Sophie. I thought I'd introduce myself because I'm living right next door to you! Welcome to the building."
I invite her in, ashamed of the mess my apartment is still in. She doesn't mind, she actually offers to help me unpack properly and we have a good gossip about some of the people living in the building.
"I've only met one other person living here", I begin, "His name is Arthur?"
"Ah, Arthur Fleck" Sophie nods.
She tells me a bit of his background, and that he lives with his mother.
"He actually likes me. Like, has a big crush on me. But I'm not into him that way at all. I mean, it was kinda creepy because he would sometimes follow me to work. But he's troubled, I don't think he means any harm. He invites me to his comedy shows sometimes, but they're painful to watch. Still, he doesn't seem to have any friends really, so that's why I go to watch him sometimes."
Sophie and I talk for hours, and I'm confident that I've made my first friend here. After we get my apartment sorted, she heads home as it is getting late. We make plans to get togther at the weekend and order in some pizza and watch movies at her place. I'm so happy!