My name is Madison, and I’m twenty-five years old. That morning, I honestly believed my life was finally starting to go somewhere. After years of part-time work, unpaid internships, and endless rejection emails, I finally had an interview that could change everything.
A real chance at a future — at a tech startup downtown that actually wanted me to come in for a second-round interview. I had worked so hard for this, and for once, things didn’t feel hopeless. I woke up early, ironed my blazer, and set my portfolio neatly on the table.
The smell of coffee filled the air, and I caught myself smiling in the mirror — something I hadn’t done in a long time. Today could be the start of something new. I felt nervous, but in a good way.
Hopeful. Ready. Then, as usual, my younger sister Chloe came barging into my room without knocking.
She had a frappuccino in one hand and her phone in the other, scrolling without looking up. Sunglasses on her head, even though we were inside. She always carried herself like she was on some reality show.
“I need you to take me to the mall at noon,” she said flatly. No “please,” no explanation — just an order. I blinked at her reflection in the mirror.
“I can’t, Chloe. My interview is at twelve-thirty. Downtown.
I’ll be gone.”
She didn’t even look surprised. “Well, just move it,” she said with a shrug. “Tell them you can come later.
I already told my friends I’d be there, so you have to.”
I turned toward her slowly. “You want me to cancel a job interview that could literally change my life… so you can go shopping?”
She sighed loudly, like I was the unreasonable one. “You’ve applied for a million jobs.
You’ll get another one. My friends are only free today.”
And with that, she walked out, like the decision was already made. I stared at the doorway for a moment, disbelief boiling under my skin.
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