Unemployed
„You`re fired!“, my boss yells at me. Well, I guess I should say my ex-boss now.
I was in such a hurry this morning that I forgot my sketches for the new summer collection at home, so she wanted to have a word with me.
„I am sorry that I forgot the sketches, but—“, I try to explain but she interrupts me.
„No, Angela, I told you at the beginning of your employment here that you cannot afford any mistakes as a stylist because, in this profession everyone is replaceable. You were quite unprofessional today, so please take the rest of your things and leave.“
Before I let my tears fall in front of her, I walk out of her office and into mine, take the few things I have there, and leave Thunder Studios, heading straight to the parking lot and into my red Toyota Corolla.
I drive home, finally letting the tears fall from my olive-green eyes. What am I going to do now? How are Rebecca and I supposed to pay the rent? With our previous salaries combined, we could barely cover rent and groceries.
I am still in shock because I never thought she would fire me over something so small. But I guess she is right. Thunder Studios is a huge modelling company, so I understand why they only accept professionals working there, and I am only twenty-three years old and still an amateur.
This was my first real job since graduating fashion school, and to be fair, she did warn me about the no-mistakes policy before I started.
When I arrive home to our small apartment, I put away the things I had been keeping in the office during the short three months I worked there and begin making dinner.
While trying to focus on cooking and not the fact that I need to find a new job as soon as possible, I hear the front door open.
„Angie, what are you doing home so early?“, Rebecca asks as she approaches me and grabs a spoon to taste the lasagna sauce I am making.
„Well…I got fired today,“ I admit quietly while stirring the sauce.
„Oh, well I could skip some of my classes and pick up more part-time hours at the diner,“ Rebecca says reassunringly.
„No, of course not. You are not skipping your theatre classes to work more shifts. I`ve been putting some money aside for a while now, and it should last us for the next couple of moths. I`ll start looking for a new job first thing tommorow, and hoppefully I`ll find one by the end of the month.“
Shortly after, Rebecca and I sit on the couch with plates full of lasagna while watching a movie. This has been our dinner tradition for the past three years, ever since Rebecca moved in with me.
Since she is an actor in training, Rebecca loves watching movies and analysing every single scene. She ist always introducing me to new films, which I also enjoy.
Her dream is to become a sucessful actress one day, which is why she moved from her small hometown in Seatle to Miami.
At that time, I was looking for a roommate because I wasn`t earning much money. When Rebecca saw my online annoucement and contacted me, I instantly agreed to let her move in.
Over time, we have become very close friends, and she feels like a little sister to me since she is two years younger than I am.
„Angie, look, that`s the actor I was telling you about — Damien De Luca!“ she says excitedly while we watch the romantic comedy Stargaze.
It is Rebecca`s favourite movie starring her favourite actor. We have wanted to watch it together for a while, and she is thrilled that we finally got around to it.
As soon as we finish eating and watching the movie, we quickly clean up and head to bed.
For some odd reason, I cannot stop thinking about Rebecca`s favourite actor before falling asleep. His name is Damien somthing… I cannot fully remember it even tho he seems odly familiar. But why?
The next morning, I spend the entire day searching for stylist job advertisements but with no success.
Knowing that Rebecca will only be home later in the afternoon because of her busy theatre and dinner schedule, I decide to go shopping after Lunch to buy a few necessities for us. I carefully avoid spending too much money because of our current sitiuation.
Miami is known for its sunny and hot weather, and today is no exception. By the time I cary the shopping bags to my car, I am almost out of breath. Not to mention that my medium-lenght wavy black hair is sticking to my forehead because of sweat.
I really need to start going to the gym more often, I think to myself.
Just as I turn around to head toward the parking lot where my car is parked, I notice a large group of paparazzi folowing someone down the street.
I cannot see who the person is because of all the photographers and bodyguards surronding them, but I assume it must be some kind of celebrity or public figure.
The camera flashes are almost blinding, although seeing famous people around the city is nothing unusual here.
As the crowd disappears from my sight, something else catches my attention.
Attatched to what seems to be a set or studio building is an advertisement for a stylist position.
Without hesitation, I take a picture of the advertisement before finally heading home.
When I arrive, I find Rebecca jumping up and down excitedly in the living room. The moment she sees me, she runs over immediatly.
„Angie you are never going to believe this, Damien De Luca is in town filming his latest movie, Love Vacation!“ She says, nearly screaming while smiling from ear to ear.
I smile back at her while once again wondering why that name sounds so familiar to me.
About two weeks after getting fired, I start feeling completely exhausted.
I have sent out countless applicationsfor different jobs without much success.
Today I decide to take a break from job hunting and spend the evening lying on the couch watching a random movie while Rebecca practices for her newest play in her room.
It is getting quite late, and I am almost asleep on the couch when I decide to check my phone before going to bed.
The moment I open my emails, my eyes widen in disbelief.
I immediately run into Rebecca`s room and nearly scream in excitement.
„ I got the job at the set!“
