CHAPTER 3

Sarah's best friend, Emily, had been her confidante and ally since they had met in college. Emily was a tall, athletic woman one year older than Sarah with a no-nonsense attitude and a sharp wit. She had short, curly hair that she kept dyed a different bright color every few months, and she had a knack for always finding the best thrift store finds.

Emily was fiercely loyal to Sarah and had always been there for her, through thick and thin. She had a no-filter approach to life and was not afraid to call Sarah out when she was being too hard on herself or not living up to her full potential. She was also a great listener and was always willing to lend an ear when Sarah needed to talk.

One of the things that made their friendship so strong was their ability to be completely honest with each other. They could tell each other anything, even the things that were hard to say, and they always had each other's backs. Emily was often the voice of reason when Sarah was feeling overwhelmed or unsure of herself, and she was always there to offer a listening ear and a shoulder to lean on.

Sarah and Emily's friendship was one of the strongest and most important relationships in Sarah's life. Despite their different personalities, Sarah and Emily had a deep and abiding friendship that had stood the test of time.  

They had been friends for over a decade,  had seen each other through many of life's ups and downs, and Emily had always been a source of strength and support for Sarah.

Emily had her own career in the arts, working as a gallery assistant at a contemporary art museum. She had a passion for all things creative and had a keen eye for spotting emerging talent.

She was often the first person Sarah turned to when she needed a fresh perspective on her writing or when she was struggling to come up with new ideas.

Despite their different career paths, Sarah and Emily shared a deep love of the arts, and they often spent their free time exploring galleries and attending cultural events together. 

They were both passionate about social justice and often discussed ways they could use their respective platforms to effect positive change in the world.

Their friendship was not without its challenges, however. At times, Sarah's intense focus on her career could cause friction between them, as Emily sometimes felt like she was being pushed to the side. 

Similarly, Emily's tendency to be blunt and straightforward could sometimes hurt Sarah's feelings, even though she knew that Emily always had her best interests at heart.

Overall, Emily was a vibrant and dynamic presence in Sarah's life, and her friendship had been a constant source of joy and inspiration for Sarah.  Their friendship was a source of great strength and support for both of them. 

They had been through many of life's trials and tribulations together, and their bond had only grown stronger over time. In the end, Sarah knew that she could always count on Emily to be there for her, no matter what, and despite living in different cities, Emily and Sarah made a conscious effort to stay in touch with each other regularly. They knew how important it was to maintain their friendship, even when they were miles apart.

They scheduled regular phone calls and video chats, and made sure to catch up on each other's lives. They talked about everything from their work and relationships to their hobbies and interests.

They also sent each other messages and emails throughout the week, keeping each other updated on their day-to-day activities, not forgetting to include funny stories, interesting articles, and photos of their travels and adventures.

Whenever they could, they planned trips to visit each other. They also saved up money and coordinated their schedules to make sure they could spend quality time together. Whenever this is the case, they explored new cities, tried new restaurants, and created unforgettable memories.

Even though they lived in different cities, Emily and Sarah made sure that distance would not come between their friendship. They cherished their bond and made sure to prioritize their relationship no matter where they were in the world.

The call from Emily came at the perfect time and she knew this was an opportunity to express her worries to her friend.

"Hey, Emily," Sarah said, her voice trembling slightly.

"Hey, what's wrong?" Emily asked.

"Remember the interview I told you I was having with Daniel Blackwood?" Sarah asked rhetorically.

"The one that was going to get you promoted, yeah?" Emily replied, still not sure where the conversation was heading to.

"Yes. Emy" Sarah replied

"So… uh… What's up? Were you able to do it? How did it go?" Emily asked impatiently at this point.

"I went for the interview with Daniel Blackwood, and it didn't go well," Sarah said.

"What happened?" Emily asked.

"He was so rude and dismissive," Sarah said. "He didn't even seem to care about the questions I was asking him."

"I'm sorry, Sarah," Emily said. "That sounds really frustrating."

"It was," Sarah said. "And now I'm worried that my article won't be good enough. I don't know how to write about him if he won't even give me anything to work with."

"Maybe you could try approaching the article from a different angle," Emily suggested. "Instead of trying to get him to open up, maybe you could focus on what his actions say about him."

"That's a good idea," Sarah said. "I just feel like I need to do justice to the story. Daniel Blackwood is such a controversial figure, and I don't want to write a fluff piece that just reinforces people's preconceptions about him."

"I know," Emily said. "But you're a great writer, and you're always able to find the heart of a story. I have faith in you."

"Thanks, Emily," Sarah said, feeling a little bit better. "I really appreciate that."

"No problem," Emily said. "And if you ever need to talk or vent or anything, just give me a call."

"I will," Sarah said, smiling. "Thanks again, Emily. You're the best."

"No, you're the best," Emily said, laughing. "Now go kick Daniel Blackwood's ass with your writing."

Sarah laughed too, feeling a little bit more confident than she had before. 

So tell me, what's going on with you? I could tell you were excited when I first heard your voice. Sarah said in a lively tone.

Emily couldn't wait to share her latest project.

"I'm so excited to tell you about my upcoming art project," Emily said, her voice full of enthusiasm.

"Oh, that sounds interesting. What is it about?" Sarah asked, eager to hear more.

"It's about exploring the different facets of humanity through art," Emily explained. "I want to showcase how we all have different experiences and emotions that shape who we are."

"That sounds amazing," Sarah said, impressed. "How are you preparing for it?"

"I've been doing a lot of research, reading books and articles about different cultures and histories," Emily replied. "I've also been sketching and experimenting with different art forms."

"That's great," Sarah said. "I'm sure it will turn out amazing."

"I hope so," Emily said. "I want to make sure that it's a meaningful and impactful project."

They continued talking about Emily's project, sharing ideas and discussing different aspects of it. Sarah was amazed by Emily's passion and dedication to her art.

As the conversation came to a close, Sarah wished Emily luck with her project and promised to support her every step of the way.

"I can't wait to see the final result," Sarah said, smiling.

"Thank you so much," Emily replied. "I'm excited to share it with you."

With that, they said their goodbyes and hung up the phone, looking forward to their next conversation

She hung up the phone and went back to her computer, ready to tackle the article with a fresh perspective.