Sweet Caramel

October 19, 2018

*Amelia*

I got dressed back t-shirt along with black jeans and white running shoes, I was in front of the mirror, makeup and hair done, I was ready to start my wild day. Allow me to tell you a little about myself. Amelia is my name. I was born and raised in Los Angeles. I've spent my entire life in Los Angeles. After graduating high school, I always had hoped to immediately start college.

But, as we all know, dreams do not always come true, and I had no clue that after graduating from high school, I would have to start looking for a job but no one would hire me due to me not having any experience, I wanted to have a job and not just any job, but something that would allow me to support myself.

It has been 3 months since I graduated. I'm eighteen years old and have been looking for work for months, and yet no one has hired me because of my lack of experience. I have applied for 200 different tasks, along with different stores.

I checked at quite a variety of job ads online and visited a variety of stores. I even tried a cleaning service, and it also didn't work out.

I received a phone call Monday from a small store that appeared like it's a gas station but it was way too small, but I still accepted, so I got dressed 30 minutes before my interview. It takes me roughly 5 minutes to get from my place to the store.

Oh, let me tell you about Emily, she's been my best friend for the majority of my life, just teasing; she's my cousin, so we did grow up and have been together increasingly close since we've gotten older.

Her parents are extremely wealthy, so they were able to provide her with what she needed. Before I was nine years old, my parents had died, and Emily's family took me in and raised me. They offered to help me with everything so I wouldn't have to work and to pay for my college tuition, but I refused.

If my parents were still living, I informed them, I would have to do everything I'm doing today. I wouldn't describe us as poor, but we spend all of our money on rent, groceries, and bills.

Even grocers didn't always have what we needed, so my father would just go to the cheapest supermarkets and buy us the cheapest food they had. Emily and I both graduated from high school at the same time, but she went straight to university to study law. And I continued searching for jobs.

"Hasn't someone phoned you for an interview yet, Amelia?" I'm curious as to what's going on with you and why your employment application was rejected?" Emily said once she heard me coming down. "Oh wow, would you look at that, what you got a date?" Emily remarked as she saw me coming down the stairs fully dressed nicely and makeup and hair did. I don't usually wear makeup or style my hair.

"Actually sure, but no, not a date, "I teased, winking at her.

I said with a fake smile, "I have an interview in 30 minutes and that's the only reason I'm dressed up like this." I went into the kitchen while leaving Emily in the living room. I opened the refrigerator and took whatever was the first thing that comes to my eye.

I prepared myself a sandwich and grabbed some orange juice. By the time I finished, I washed my hands, brushed my teeth, and head out. I was worried and I began to think that if I got the job this time I understood that the job wouldn't be excellent because I had no other option. When I reached the store, the store was even worse than I imagined. I took a deep breath as I went in.

"How can I assist you? the owner asked me as I stepped in. He appears to be a middle-aged man in his late 30s, white stands tall pale skin, blue eyes. "Well hello there, yes I have an interview I got called yesterday and" I begin. He interrupted me off by adding, "Yes, this way please." I know I shouldn't have spoken for so long, but when I'm nervous, I can't stop myself.

He grabbed two seats for us. When he asked me to have a set, I immediately sat down. He began asking me about my work experience, which I told him I didn't have. When I informed him I didn't have any work experience, he immediately glanced at me.

"Okay...can you manage money?" he questioned. "At the very least, if you know how to do cashier, you're ready to go."

I remained mute since I didn't know what to say or how to explain it to him; he keeps asking me silly questions when I tell him I've never worked before.

"Well Miss Roman?" he interrupted.

"Well," I began he looked at me and raised his eyebrows.

"No, I don't" I continued.

"Well miss Roman It must have been nice interviewing with you, but I don't assume you're the proper person for this job because, as you know, this store is open even late at night, and I'm the only one who tends to work here anyway, and I'd like to find someone who can cover for me rather than someone I'll have to stay with all night, I'm sorry."

I offered him a friendly nod. We shook hands and I thanked him before heading out, but the weather couldn't have been worse as it started to pour. I fought to keep my calm. I was actually considering punching him. He didn't even say, "All right, I'll train you for at least three minutes." What the earth is happening around here?"

What the hell is going on with me? Why can't I be like the rest of them, living their lives with their families, friends, and even boyfriends and girlfriends? It's not that I really want romance, but all I want is a job so that I can save money for my college tuition and become a teacher like my parents intended me to do.

As tears began to fall, I glanced up to the sky, and indeed the rain felt nice. In the rain, I want to howl. Mom and dad, I've missed you guys, and I'm hoping and Praying to send me a sign that everything will be okay.

*****

I collected myself within a few minutes as I headed back home. I decided to not give up and look for work. I decided to print a few more resumes and check any stores that might be hiring. I stepped inside the library as soon as I arrived and printed 10 additional resumes.

I wandered around the library looking for books that caught my attention while waiting for the rain to pass. After about an hour, I finished half of a novel called "the young lady with loved One," which I appear to be interested in. I returned the book over its bookshelf, grabbed my resume file, and strolled out. Thank goodness the rainfall had ended by the time I stepped out; I dropped off around 4-5 résumé at any stores that were hiring.

As I walked, I came across a company that had a paper outside that said that they were advertising. I'm not sure why, but I decided to walk inside, even though I'm positive they won't hire someone like me. They would, of course, require more experience than any other shop.

I gasped in amazement as soon as I stepped in; it was huge, so there was no way they were going to employ me. It was the most breathtaking sight I'd ever seen. I'm not convinced, but I'll give it another try this time. I had no clue what was wrong with me, but I was so confident about myself.

Afterwards, I went to the front desk and questioned about the ad, and she directed me to the 5th floor, the second room on the left. It's what they're employing where they require additional workers.

When I reached the 5th floor, I was surprised that they hadn't informed me to come back another day or that they would contact me. I stepped in front of the door and waited as soon as I arrived. I was nervous about approaching.

I relaxed and walked right in. There was a wonderful lady at the desk, and I approached her.

"Hello," I began.

"Hello, darling, how may I help you?"

"I noticed the advertisement and"

"Oh, you've come for the job posting, great dear, do you have your resume?" Yes, I took out my résumé and gave it to her immediately. She took it and scanned through the page then she looked back at me.

"I recently graduated just a few months ago I don't have any experience I desperately would like to work, but no one is hiring me since I have no experience." she looked at me without saying anything as I didn't know how loud I was until I was silent.

She stepped up and offered me warming smiled. She asked me to wait in the waiting area, so I thanked her and simply walked to the room. So there were three other girls in the waiting area with me, I stood firm as I opened the door.

Then, all of a sudden, my hope went; I knew they wouldn't choose me since the other girls were more attractive and, of course, they had far more experience. When I was fully awake and ready to leave, the secretary strolled in and called my name, and I knew immediately that she was going to tell me that I wasn't the best candidate for the job.

So with that, the secretary motioned for others to leave and for me to follow her."Amelia, my boss read through your résumé and noticed that you don't have any experience for the company, so..."

"OK, I get it, and I apologize for wasting your time and bothering you." I didn't wait for the secretary to finish speaking before interrupting. was about to leave when the receptionist begins to giggle.

"No, you misunderstood me, honey."

"What," I exclaimed.

"Yes, you lack experience with the firm, but Mr. Lou, my boss, overheard you outside and wanted to offer you this position, but... he said he would put you through a three-month trial period."

"What happens after three months?" I asked.

"Well, if he approved your effort and work, you'd stay here, but if he didn't like your work, he would fire you even before you complete your 3 months. I was surprised. I couldn't believe what was happening and herding; did I truly get a job and... And that I might be able to begin school soon. I can't believe what I'm hearing.

"By the way, call me Charlotte," she said while she offered her hand for a shake. I was so delighted that I forgot about myself and hugged Charlotte. Once I noticed what I had done, I quickly pulled back.

"I'm sorry I'm just happy"

"No worries honey," Charlotte said and she brushed my arms.

"Mr. Lou will be with you in 15 minutes," He's just left for a meeting, so feel free to use the restroom or doing whatever you want." I nodded and asked where the restroom was located, thanked her, and headed to the restroom. I washed my face then reapplied my makeup quickly. People used to compliment me on how attractive I was, but I never felt I was actually attractive. I'm not sure why, perhaps it's because I dislike myself and how I seem

I checked my watch once I finished. I have four minutes left. How can time fly so fast when you're nervous about something? I packed my makeup in my purse and raced out the door. I bumped into anyone who was rather muscular just As I was walking in a rush. When I slammed into him, I crumpled to the ground and glared at him with anger in my eyes. I didn't care whether he's the most attractive man in the world. All I care about right now is getting back to work on time.