(A deviation from the main storyline just because I can! I’m having a bit of writers block for that storyline, so I decided to write more in this world to keep the motivation pumping.)

———

Jeremiah can’t believe this is happening.

Este was spending the day at Precious’ house, but Zac couldn’t come get her so he had to drop her off.

Then he spilled his café on himself in the car so he rushed home to change.

And now his tire is as flat as a crepe.

Running to his job interview gets him there tarde but at least there. Though very sweaty.

Not the best look.

When he gives his name at the counter, the lady gives him a strange look through her wire framed glasses.

Perhaps she feels bad for him.

She escorts him to a back room that is actually really scary. Oscura y pequeña.

His phone buzzes and he smiles at the good luck text from Roman. His soulmate nunca fails to make him feel warm inside.

He sits there for about a minute and twenty seconds before his interviewer comes in.

“Jeremiah, you do know that this is just an interview for a gas station job, right?” Lane asks.

It makes him feel much better that Lane is his interviewer. Bell invites her to sit at their lunch table sometimes.

It is excelente to have so many amigos that they may need a bigger mesa.

“Sí. But it is still nerve wracking,” he answers.

“Well, you’re pretty much a shoe in, but we’ll still have an official interview,” she says.

She has a clipboard but she tosses it on the table in front of her like she could care less. It puts Jeremiah at ease that this is more casual.

“I didn’t know you worked aquí,” he comments.

Lane shrugs, “Parents said I needed to get out the house more. They probably wanted me to go out and find my soulmate but I got a job instead.” Her tone is lighthearted but the meaning is clear. Her parents don’t like her outlook.

Jeremiah gives her a sympathetic smile. He doesn’t get the big deal about soulmates. Yes, he’s a romantic and he is mucho in love with his soulmate. But why enforce that onto someone else if they don’t want that? Roman still doesn’t fully buy into soulmates. And Jeremiah is fine with that.

“So what made you interested in this job?” Lane asks, interrupting his thoughts and starting the interview.

Jeremiah takes in a long breath before hearing himself up for his answer. “My mamá works all the tiempo for me and mi hermana Este. I thought I could help out a little.”

Roman had him practice, pretending he was the interviewer, shooting off questions like he was made to ask them.

While he teasingly complained about the pretend act, Jeremiah is grateful to have done that now.

The answer feels correct, yet natural.

“Why here?” Lane says, her eyes shifting from the clipboard to him.

He almost shrugs but has to physically stop himself because that seems too casual for an interview. “I like people but didn’t want to work with hot food,” he answers honestly.

Comida is really importante to his mamá. She doesn’t like eating out because she believes you make food with the soul. Those beliefs have been passed onto him, and he didn’t want to be around comida that isn’t cooked with the same passion that his mamá has.

His powers with nature would lend to a florist but there are no florists in their town. He doesn’t have the dinero to drive all the time, so his options remain local. This fast station is near enough to his house that he could walk if needed. And it’s on the way home from school. Ideal location for a job.

“Umm…let’s see,” Lane trails off, studying the words on the paper. It actually makes him feel more comfortable with her casualty. “What strengths do you think you have that makes you a fit for this job?” She questions.

He really wishes that there was some sol left in this room. Natural light.

Even though he doesn’t have photosynthesis, with his connection to nature, it helps to have the sun. It grounds him.

“I’ve been told that I can make friends with anyone in a single minute. I care about the work I do. It will always be done to the best of my ability.”

Lane smiles, pushing up her glasses. “Good answer. And lastly, when can you start?”

“Is that hypothetical or because I got the job?” He questions. “You ask a lot of questions for the interviewee,” she shoots back.

Chuckling, she answers, “I can start today and do any shift after the elementary school lets out. And almost every weekend.”

Being a high school student, he pretty much has all the time in the world once the clock hits 2 pm. He has to pick up Este, but other than that, he’s free. May as well start as soon as he can.

Lane stands up and extends her hand. “Congratulations Jeremiah, you are now starting your career as an underpaid employee.”

With perhaps a bit too much enthusiasm, he shakes her hand. “Thank you!”

It feels nice to be able to ayuda his mamá. She comes home tired but siempre makes dinner. She is siempre there for him and Este no matter what.

Hopefully this can make it a little easier for her.

As Lane leads him back out to the front, which is a much brighter hallway than it was on the way in, she gives him a few details to make things official.

He can’t wait to tell Roman. He’ll be mucho proud.

Grinning, she opens the door for him and says, “I have a feeling this job will be more tolerable now that you’ll be here.”

Jeremiah finds himself smiling so hard that his cheeks actually ache. It may just be a gas station job, but it’s his first job and a way to help.

And if the plants get greener and more vibrant on his walk home, that’s no one’s business but his.

———

(Maybe this is me projecting 😂. I really wanted to write a positive job search experience. I thought Jeremiah would be perfect since he is such a kindhearted character who always looks on the bright side.

Trying to find a job in this economy is absolutely awful, at least in my experience so far. Anyone have any tips?)