“Oh shit, I’m late!”

Weeks passed, and college life began to settle into a routine. I tried every chance I got to avoid Jamie—whether it was taking a different route to class or pretending to be lost in my phone when I saw him coming. The last thing I wanted was to be dragged into whatever game he was playing. Still, every time I turned a corner or sat in the cafeteria, there was that nagging feeling in the back of my mind that he wasn’t done with me yet.

Surprisingly, I found myself trying to avoid Olivia as well. I wasn’t sure how to act around her after what Abigail had said. Every time I saw Olivia in passing, a small knot formed in my stomach. I couldn’t help but remember the rumors Abigail had shared, and I wasn’t sure if I could trust her just yet. Olivia had been nothing but friendly, but now, after hearing the gossip, it was hard to see her in the same light.

It wasn’t that I didn’t like Olivia—she was kind, outgoing, and made an effort to be my friend. But there was this strange unease that lingered around her whenever we interacted. Was it just me overthinking? Was it the rumors getting to me? Or was there something more to Olivia than I could see

Each time I bumped into her, I found myself unsure of what to say. Should I be cautious, as Abigail had advised? Or should I let my guard down and give Olivia the benefit of the doubt?

For the most part, I stuck to small talk with her—nothing personal, nothing too deep. She’d always smile, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was walking on eggshells. I found myself watching her more than I probably should have, trying to decipher if the rumors were true.

I often found myself wondering how much of this was just the pressure of college life getting to me. I’d made a conscious decision to focus on my studies and not get caught up in drama, but Jamie and Olivia seemed determined to make that impossible.

“Oh shit, I’m late!” I jumped out of bed, threw on some clothes, and ran downstairs. My mom was on the phone, talking to Miss Anderson—aka my boss.

“I understand, and I apologize on behalf of my daughter. I can assure you she won’t be late again,” she said, glancing over at me. I froze in place, realizing I’d just been hired last week. Now, I was about to get fired on my first day.

“Thank you for your understanding. I can assure you this won’t happen again,” she added, setting the phone down and turning to face me. She folded her hands and raised an eyebrow. I immediately knew what was coming.

“Here comes the lecture,” I thought to myself, letting out an audible sigh.

“Mom, I know what you're going to say, and I can explain. I got sidetracked, and before I knew it, it was 12 a.m.,” I started, trying to get the words out.

“What was so important that it made you forget about work tomorrow?” she asked, her arms still crossed, her gaze unwavering

“I—I might have stayed up watching Attack on Titan. I know it sounds dumb, but it—” I stammered, but she quickly shushed me.

“Oh, Julia, you’re the one who asked for a part-time job. If you want to be responsible, you need to do better. Staying up late is no excuse. Miss Anderson could’ve fired you on the spot, but she gave you a second chance. Not everything will go your way, and I need you to promise me this won’t happen again,” she said, her hands slowly falling to her sides, disappointment written across her face.

“I’m sorry, Mom. I promise it won’t happen again. You have my word,” I said, stepping forward to give her a hug.

“Alright. I hope you keep your promise. Now hurry up, or you really will get fired,” she warned.

I grabbed an apple from the table, hopped on my bike, and rushed out the door to work.

As I pedaled furiously down the street, the crisp morning air slapped against my face, waking me up more than I wanted it to. My heart was still racing from the panic of nearly losing my job before it even really started.

By the time I arrived at Miss Anderson’s house, I was slightly out of breath. I propped my bike against the fence, smoothed out my wrinkled shirt, and rang the doorbell.

The door swung open almost immediately, revealing Miss Anderson—a tall woman in her mid-forties with sleek brown hair tied back in a bun. She gave me a pointed look, arms crossed.

“You’re late,” she said flatly.

I forced a nervous smile. “I know, and I’m really, really sorry. It won’t happen again, I swear.”

She studied me for a moment before sighing. “Come in, Julia.”

I stepped inside, the warmth of the house instantly contrasting with the chilly morning outside. The faint scent of vanilla and freshly brewed coffee lingered in the air.

“Liam is in the living room watching cartoons. I have a meeting soon, so I need you to keep an eye on him and make sure he eats his lunch at noon,” Miss Anderson instructed, already grabbing her purse from the counter. “If he gives you trouble, just let him watch his favorite show. That usually keeps him calm.”

I nodded, my nerves easing slightly. “Got it.”

Miss Anderson gave me one last look before heading for the door. “And Julia?”

I turned back to her. “Yes?”

“Don’t be late again.”

I swallowed hard and nodded. “I won’t.”

She left, and I let out a deep breath before making my way to the living room.

A small boy, no older than five, sat cross-legged on the floor in front of the TV. He had dark, curly hair and was completely engrossed in an episode of Paw Patrol.

“Hey, Liam,” I greeted him, dropping my bag on the couch.

He barely glanced at me. “Hi.”

Well, at least he wasn’t screaming or throwing things. That was a good start.

I plopped down onto the couch, taking a moment to collect my thoughts.