No job
1431 Words
Adeline and Lucas returned home together, the echoes of laughter and music from the picnic still lingering faintly in their minds. The evening air had cooled, brushing gently against their skin as they walked side by side, their fingers loosely intertwined.
It had been a good day—lighthearted, filled with familiar faces and fleeting moments of joy—but as they approached their apartment, reality began to settle back in, quiet and unavoidable.
The door clicked shut behind them, sealing them once again in the small, modest space they called home. For a moment, neither of them spoke. Adeline moved toward the kitchen to set her bag down, while Lucas lingered near the couch, his shoulders slightly tense despite the relaxed atmosphere they had just left behind.
“You seemed happy today,” Lucas said finally, breaking the silence. His voice carried a softness to it, but there was something else beneath it—something uncertain.
Adeline glanced at him, offering a gentle smile. “Why wouldn't i be? i missed you so freaking much, i nearly went crazy,”
Lucas nodded, though his expression didn’t quite match hers. He sat down slowly, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees, his gaze fixed on the floor. Adeline noticed the shift immediately. The warmth from earlier began to fade, replaced by a familiar heaviness.
She walked over and sat beside him. “What’s wrong?”
Lucas let out a quiet breath, running his hand through his hair. “I couldn't get a job at Ibiza, i ventured for days. i went somewhere, before i arrived at the picnic too,” he admitted. “A company downtown. They said they were hiring.”
Adeline’s attention sharpened. “And?”
He gave a small, humorless chuckle. “And nothing. Same thing they all say—‘we’ll call you.’” He shook his head slightly. “I don’t think they ever will.”
Adeline’s expression softened, her heart tightening at the disappointment in his voice. She reached for his hand without hesitation, her fingers wrapping around his in a steady, reassuring grip.
“Lucas,” she said gently, “that doesn’t mean anything yet. They might still call.”
He looked at her then, his eyes clouded with frustration. “You know how this goes. They never call. It’s just their way of saying no without actually saying it.”
There was a pause, heavy with truth.
“I just… I don’t know what I’m doing wrong,” he continued, his voice quieter now. “It feels like I’m trying and trying, and it’s not getting us anywhere.”
Adeline shifted closer to him, her shoulder brushing against his. “You’re not doing anything wrong,” she said firmly. “Sometimes things just take time.”
Lucas exhaled slowly, though the tension didn’t fully leave him. “Time isn’t something we have a lot of right now.”
His words hung in the air, raw and honest.
Adeline swallowed slightly before responding. “We’ll manage,” she said. “We always do.”
He didn’t respond immediately, but his hand tightened slightly around hers.
After a moment, she added, “And I have an interview tomorrow.”
Lucas turned toward her, surprised. “You do?”
She nodded. “Yeah. I got the call earlier today, before the picnic. I didn’t want to bring it up there—I didn’t want to jinx it.”
A faint spark of hope appeared in his expression. “Adeline, that’s great.”
“I don’t know if it’ll lead to anything,” she admitted, “but it’s something.”
“It’s more than something,” he said, sitting up a little straighter. “You’re smart, you’re talented—you’re going to impress them.”
Adeline smiled softly, though a hint of nervousness lingered in her eyes. “I hope so.”
Lucas squeezed her hand gently. “I know so.”
For a brief moment, the heaviness in the room lifted. It wasn’t gone entirely, but it eased just enough for them to breathe again.
The next morning arrived quietly, yet it carried a weight that neither of them could ignore.
Adeline woke before Lucas, her eyes opening to the dim light filtering through the curtains. She lay still for a moment, staring at the ceiling as her thoughts began to form.
The interview.
The pressure.
The hope.
And then, that feeling.
It crept in subtly, like a shadow she couldn’t quite see. A strange awareness, as though something was off. As though she wasn’t entirely alone.
She frowned slightly, pushing the thought aside as she sat up.
“You’re just nervous,” she whispered to herself.
Carefully, she got out of bed and began preparing for the day. Every movement felt deliberate—choosing her outfit, fixing her hair, going over possible answers in her mind. She wanted everything to be perfect.
By the time she finished, Lucas had stirred awake.
He watched her from the bed, a small smile forming. “You’re up early.”
Adeline turned to him, returning the smile. “Couldn’t sleep.”
He sat up, rubbing his eyes before looking at her more closely. “You look amazing.”
She let out a quiet laugh. “Let’s hope they think so too.”
“They will,” he said confidently. “Just be yourself.”
She nodded, though the unease from earlier hadn’t completely faded.
After a brief embrace, she left.
The journey to the interview felt longer than usual.
As Adeline walked, the strange sensation returned—stronger now, more persistent. It felt as though eyes were on her, following her every movement.
She glanced behind her.
Nothing.
Just people moving along the street, caught up in their own lives.
Still, the feeling remained.
By the time she reached the building, her chest felt tight. She paused at the entrance, taking a steadying breath.
“You’ve got this,” she murmured.
Then she stepped inside.
The interview went well—at least, that’s what it seemed like.
The office was sleek and professional, the kind of place that demanded confidence. The interviewer greeted her politely, guiding her through a series of questions.
Adeline answered carefully, drawing on everything she knew. She maintained composure, spoke clearly, and tried to ignore the persistent feeling lingering at the back of her mind.
Even sitting there, she felt it.
Watching.
Unseen, but present.
She resisted the urge to turn her head.
Focus.
When the interview ended, the interviewer gave a small, approving nod. “Thank you, Adeline. That was a strong interview.”
“Thank you,” she replied.
“We’d like you to wait a few minutes while we review everything,” the woman added.
Adeline nodded and was directed to a waiting area.
Time seemed to slow.
She sat quietly, her hands resting in her lap, her gaze drifting occasionally around the room.
Everything looked normal.
Calm.
Ordinary.
But the feeling refused to leave.
It pressed in on her now, heavier than before.
She shifted slightly, her eyes scanning more carefully.
Still nothing.
No one staring.
No one unusual.
Just silence.
Minutes later, the door opened.
The interviewer stepped out, her expression polite—but different.
Adeline stood immediately, her heart beginning to sink.
“Adeline,” the woman began, “thank you for your time today.”
Adeline nodded, her hope wavering.
“Unfortunately, we won’t be moving forward with your application.”
The words were calm, professional—but final.
Adeline felt the disappointment settle in her chest, heavy and undeniable. Still, she forced a composed expression.
“I understand,” she said quietly.
“You did very well,” the woman added. “It was a competitive process.”
“Thank you,” Adeline replied.
There was nothing more to say.
Outside, the world continued as if nothing had changed.
But for Adeline, everything felt just a little heavier.
The hope she had carried into the day had faded, replaced by quiet disappointment. Still, she straightened her posture, refusing to let it break her.
She had Lucas.
They would figure it out.
They had to.
And yet, as she began to walk away—
That feeling returned.
Stronger.
Sharper.
She stopped.
Slowly, she turned, her eyes scanning the street once more.
Nothing.
No one watching.
No one out of place.
But the feeling lingered.
Adeline hesitated for a moment before turning back and continuing forward, her steps steady despite the unease growing inside her.
She couldn’t explain it.
But deep down, she knew—
Something wasn’t right.
- Writer
