Its common knowledge hostels mean sharing rooms with strangers to save money on traveling. Or socialization.

In Eleanor’s case its because her company wanted to save on lodging as they will do anything to cheap out on their employees. They already cheap out on the salary even with the ridiculous work load what’s lodging for the employee they assigned to go to a conference? The things she does for a raise and maybe a promotion. She’s a woman she doubts she’ll get it but the hopefulness in her swells out every time she achieves something over there. Like getting the company noticed enough to be invited to a conference with much bigger clients.

In Moxie’s case it was the only option she had after finding out her boyfriend was texting some other girl while they were traveling together. The audacity of men. She would have booked another hotel if she didnt run out storming, leaving her things behind. Her credit cards were still in the room and the funds left in her cash app were only enough for this pitiful excuse of a room.

Everything looked old and the paint needed to be redone. She would have just spent the night clubbing the pain of being cheated on away, maybe even cheat back but the rain had to pour. Unlike her. Normally girls would cry about this but she’s just seething mad. She wants to hit something.

Too bad if she hit anything in this room the whole buildind would come crashing down.

If there was anything positive about being in this hostel room it was that both Eleanor and Moxie had each other to worry about. Every other room had males in it and the owner for however much of a suspicious man he seemed made sure the girls were together.

The girls eyed each other down.

Eleanor in her simple black dress with a blazer on and even simpler suitcase. Moxie in shorts and bralette with nothing but a phone in her pocket. Her hands even had a newly bought charger so she’d be able to call for a taxi and get her cards.

“I’m Eleanor.” Eleanor introduced herself holding out a hand for a handshake. Since they were going to be sleeping in the same room together introductions are a must. Less likely for her to get stolen from if she knew the only suspect.

Moxie slapped their hands together. “Moxie. Cute fit. Real business casual.” She then plopped herself on the bed, proceeding to doomscroll onto her phone. Its at 2% might as well use it up.

Eleanor stood still frozen that someone just interpreted her handshake as a bro greeting but she quickly shook herself and placed herself on the other bed. Farthest from Moxie. They clearly were from different worlds so its best to keep her distance.

She busied herself getting ready for tomorrow, opening her suitcase and studying the attendees on her laptop. She must make a good impression. She’s representing a whole company. One mistake and she could get fired. Her sleep schedule may be doomed but she’ll recover once she goes up the corporate ladder.

“You working?” Moxie asked.

Eleanor looked up from her laptop and noticed Moxie’s phone charged on the corner. She must be bored and not sleepy to suddenly make conversation like this.

“Yes.” Eleanor curtly responded, going back to studying.

“What do you do?” Clearly Moxie didn’t get the message that she was busy and didn’t want to chat. “Must be important if you’re working through a snowstorm.”

Or maybe she did get that she was busy and didnt care. “I work for a corporate company.” Eleanor decided to be as vague as possible. They just met she doesn’t deserve details.

“What’s it like? I’ve never worked before.”

To that Eleanor closed her laptop and stared at Moxie like she was an alien. “What you never worked before? How is that possible? How old are you?”

“24.” Moxie shrugged. “I never wanted to work so I just travelled.”

“Then what do you do for money?”

“My parents set up an account for me to use however when I graduated.” Of course she was a rich girl. No responsibilities whatsoever.

Eleanor rolled her eyes and went back to her laptop.

“Hey, that was pretty bitchy of you.” Moxie stood up and walked up to Eleanor.

“What did you just call me?” Irritated, Eleanor placed her laptop on the bed making sure it was far away in case things got ugly. She really hated antagonistic mean girls like this. Her workplace was full of them.

“I didn’t call you anything. It was bitchy of you to roll your eyes at me when I told you my parents supported me. What? You don’t have parents?”

“Can’t you see I’m busy?” Eleanor decided to go on the no details route. They’ll never see each other again.

“Well I’m sorry if an unemployed person isn’t worth your time. What kind of company makes you work in a storm anyways?” Moxie crossed her arms.

“Listen I’m sorry for rolling my eyes at you and could you just go back there and use up your parent’s money-“

“-and what do you mean by that? Its my money. They said so themselves.”

God, rich girls are the worst. “Congrats you get to travel and have fun. Some of us have real responsibilities. Now can we just stop fighting?”

“I’m not fighting you.” If Moxie was actually fighting her Eleanor would need to go to the hospital. “I’m not any less deserving of respect just because I’m not a bigshot with a fancy corporate job like you.”

Eleanor laughed. There was this girl living the dream and she thinks she’s a bigshot working in the late hours and staying in a hostel cause her company was a cheapskate. “Sorry I disrespected you, Moxie. I’m not a big shot. I’m just a lowly corporate slave.”

“What do you mean?” Moxie frowned. Slavery was so cancelled already.

“I work 8 plus hour days plus overtime and my salary is so pitiful, I have a relationship with a noodle brand. My company could barely afford to bring me here so now I’m sharing a hostel with you.” Eleanor broke the no details rule cause Moxie has proven she was not a thief. Just a very privileged girl.

“Your company sucks.” You should quit, Moxie almost added but she knew how hard it was to get a job. She wasn’t unemployed because she didn’t want one or wasn’t trying. Too many rejections makes you realize you should go for what you want that is available.

“I agree.” Eleanor nodded and Moxie patted her back.

The next day, both girls were getting ready to leave. Moxie asked for Eleanor’s number which she immediately called as proof that it was legit.

“Your job sucks my boyfriend sucks, we deserve to get wasted together.” Moxie said, as she helped Eleanor fix her eye liner cause it wasn’t looking good.

“I don’t drink.” Eleanor said, although she wanted to so many times but she can’t afford to be an alcoholic.

Moxie stepped back, admiring her work. “Well I’ll teach you.”

After the conference, Moxie and Eleanor drank so much that their unlikely friendship grew to the point that long distance Moxie helped Eleanor quit and together they applied to the same company.