Not Everyday

Lost

Another morning. Another day. Zoey was trying to wake up from the carefree world of dreams. However, reality was very different. It was hard, but getting a tiny bit better every day. Little by little she was getting used to the fact that she was alone in this world. Her parents died in a car accident a few weeks ago. It still hurt.

She picks up her smartphone to check the messages in bed. Her aunt Anna sent her another text.

"Hi Zoey, please call me today. I am worried."

Aunt Anna wasn't her actual relative. She was her mom's best friend and as such ended up being Zoey's aunt by default.

Zoey just quickly typed a short message to keep aunt Anna from calling all afternoon.

"Hi. Sorry but I still can't. I am ok. Don't worry. Please don't call just yet. Thanks."

Her heart clenched as she pressed send.

To chase away this overwhelming feeling she quickly got up from the mattress on the floor that was her bed now. Went to the bathroom and switched on the coffee machine.

She moved to the big city right after the funeral. She tried to lose herself in this great mass of people going about their lives anonymously. Unlike her hometown of a few thousand where everybody knew everybody else and if not then at least their friend or relative did. Zoey could not stand their concerned faces and nagging questions. Therefore she decided to quit her job in the library and move somewhere far away.

Big hole in her plan was that she didn't anticipate how expensive living here was going to be. Her rash decision cost a lot. She has been here just two weeks and already went through over half of her savings. That is why she started to look for a job.

She already tried all the libraries. However no luck so far. It was not looking very optimistic so she decided to try for any job she might be able to do.

Today she was going to interview for a position of barista in a nearby coffee shop. Advertisement said the training would be provided so she wanted to try her luck there. Actually, she went there a few times to get her favourite caffe latte. The place was homey. Not too out there or too trendy. Fact that it was walking distance from her newly rented apartment was also a big advantage.

She got ready for the interview in record time. And half an hour later she was out the door and on her way.

Walking to the cafe was a great way to calm down those pre-interview butterflies in her stomach. It was a chilly October morning, but Zoey didn't mind. She liked colder months. They were the best for reading all evening long under a fluffy blanket.

Entering the shop she looked around to find the manager, but couldn't see him. She took a seat near the door. Moments later the door behind the register opened. Middle-aged man came out.

This must be the manager, Zoey thought. She met only one waitress and one barista before. She gave her CV to them last Monday.

"Oh hello. You are right on time." Said the man."Are you Zoey Zander?" He asked.

"Hello. nice to meet you. Yes that is me." Zoey replied.

"My name is Mark." The guy introduced himself and shook Zoey's hand. "I am the owner and manager of café Astra. We spoke on the phone earlier."

"Would you like something to drink?" He offered.

"No I am fine thanks." Zoey declined.

"Alright. So let's get started." He said and straightened papers he was holding.

Interview was quick and to the point. Mark asked her about her previous jobs. Why she wanted to work here and so on. Zoey felt very nervous. For some reason she thought she would like to work here very much.

After about half an hour Mark concluded the interview and stood up.

"Thank you for coming, Zoey. I like you but I don't know, with your skills and experience you would probably want to work in library better than here." he said. Zoey trembled. What he said was true, but also not. She was trying to find right words.

"I ... I understand what you are saying, but let me tell you, I am looking for a change at the moment and I feel like different line of work might help me improve myself and help me shift my focus in life. I don't know if I am explaining myself well..." said Zoey.

"Ok, " said Mark. "I think I understand. I must tell you that you are not the only candidate. Let me think for a few days and I will call you. Hope that's alright with you?"

"Yes, I am looking forward to hearing from you." said Zoey with blush in her cheeks.

Zoey left the café with mixed feelings. She desperately wanted to be chosen, but she wasn't sure why. Maybe just to feel wanted? Or was she looking forward to being occupied with learning new stuff and preoccupied to process the grief?

It was quite like her to avoid problems and just concentrate on something else.

On her way back form the café she stopped in her favourite book store and picked up new book. Mistborn. Now even if she didn't get the job the weekend will be great.