Chapter 2. Mediocre No More

She was done. Absolutely done.

Done with anxiety-laden days and nights...

Done with two whole years of high-functioning depression...

And done feeling like she was meandering purposelessness on two legs.

Those days were over. She was on a different path now. Well, too early to call it, since it was merely an initial interview for now. But her optimism was just through the roof these past few days.

She had bought herself a plane ticket, packed up practically all she needed to start her new city life, and she already let her parents know she was moving away and getting a new job in Los Angeles.

The city of angels...

Jessi could still recall her mother's tearful advice over the phone yesterday. Her mom was just the sweetest. Supportive no matter what, but just a worrier and too sentimental sometimes.

"It's gonna be a rough couple of months, but...I'm happy for you, baby." Her mother was holding back another sob at that point. "If you need anything, some cash for rent, just text me or give us a call."

"Thanks, Mom. Don't make me cry, though! It's not like I'm moving to another country. Relax..."

"It's LA! You don't know anyone out there."

"Uncle Pete and Aunt Marin's still in San Francisco. Just a bus ride away," Jessi reasoned to her mother, even though she had already mentioned it the other night.

Her Uncle Pete was her father's older brother, and oftentimes held the job title of being an executive producer in some Hollywood movies and a few TV shows in the last two decades.

Jessi didn't exactly know for sure whether the company she applied for would be hiring her full-time, but the follow-up email from their HR staff said they needed a group of experienced make-up artists "urgently".

The word "experienced" didn't quite suit her—she'd only been working part-time as a make-up artist for the past three years—but she would push her luck.

Never mind all those rejection letters she had received since she graduated college. Never mind that she was going broke and might even end up homeless soon.

Never mind the thousands and thousands of dollars her parents had wasted just for her to get a college degree. Never mind that she was practically a failure according to the success standards of modern society.

She was done feeling sorry for herself.

It was time for her to jumpstart her career, and she was getting her dream job no matter what.

***

Friday morning

Los Angeles, California

"It was a pleasure to finally meet you and talk to you about this new project, Jessiah."

"Likewise. Thank you for your time today." Jessi smiled big for her interviewers sitting across from her and behind the rectangular desk that had spates of papers piled in every direction. Most likely application letters and background information of job applicants like her.

"If you have questions about your schedule this month, just give Daniella a call. She's gonna be your alarm clock from here onwards." Ari, the older woman in the black pantsuit, got up from the swivel chair and excused herself to take a call.

Jessi took it as the cue to bid her interviewers goodbye. She got up from her chair and maintained a pleasant tone and smile. "Thanks again. Have a great day," she said to the other interviewer, a younger HR staff named Harry.

"Your supervising would give you a call as early as tomorrow. So, be ready first thing and get enough sleep tonight. You're gonna need it, girl." With a chuckle, Harry flicked his wavy bangs away from his smooth forehead and crossed off her name. He then wrote something on the list of applicants he'd been checking for the past half an hour.

"Right. Of course." Jessi giggled at his advice. "Have a great weekend." She shook hands with him before she made her way out of the interview room.

It wasn't exactly an interview room for aspiring make-up artists, though. It was a small, multi-functional office beside a busy lobby in a ten-storey corporate building housing the production company's skeletal workforce.

About 30 people rushed along corridors with paperwork, half-empty coffee cups, and, sometimes, even production set equipment. Jessi had felt the adrenaline pumping through her veins the second she stepped inside the fairly new building.

It was like she walked straight into a big-budget movie set...something she had always imagined ever since she found her love of doing make-up and creating art with her skills and what little experience she had stocked up over the years.

Clutching her handbag's strap as she walked out of the first floor exit, she proceeded to the parking area to find a quiet spot. She had to call her parents again and share the good news.

Slash that—it was such great news!

She was no longer unemployed, and she would be starting her new job as early as tomorrow. Which only meant, she would be getting her first paycheck before the end of next month.

Even though she still had to find herself an apartment to rent. A small condo unit, or any cheap place that would be convenient for her and her schedule. Giddy with excitement and relief, Jessi said a prayer in her head. Now she could call herself a full-time make-up artist by profession.

No more setbacks. She was going to live here in LA, and she just landed the job of her dreams.

***

"The guy said my supervisor would be calling tomorrow. I'll text you later. Gotta get up early to catch the bus."

"Be mindful of the time and don't be complacent."

"Yeah. I know."

"Tsk. Hon, just get a car. Please. I'll send you the money."

"Mom, I'm fine. Their buses are clean. Safe. Okay?"

"Jessiah, you're not used to commuting there."

"Yeah. But...gotta start somewhere, Mom." Jessi smiled to herself.

"D'you need money? For food and rent. Or other expenses."

"No, Mom. I'm good. But thanks. Gonna buy lunch now. Talk later."

"Take care, honey."

Jessi hung up and shoved her phone back inside her handbag. Her stomach just growled again. She only ate a protein bar last night and she wasn't used to eating lunch this late.

Glimpsing the time on her watch, she walked off the uncertainty.

A convenience store across the street was open. Maybe they had salads or vegan meals in there. She crossed the pedestrian section and entered the store.

Bossa nova music played softly. The place faintly smelled of cinnamon and fresh bread. She glanced around the five-foot rows of food selections. The store was bigger than she expected. They even sold dry goods, grocery store make-up, and some expensive liquor.

Jessi put on her headphones and walked past the beverages. She grabbed an ice-cold bottle of red tea and looked for something to eat.

Where would she live for the meantime? Should she just find a lodging inn for the time being? Pay for a room overnight before she received a copy of her schedule for this month? Perhaps that would be more practical.

She picked up a chicken salad meal and eyed the lines of customers in front of the small counters. There were three cash registers but only two staff on duty. The waiting line would waste at least 15 minutes of her time, but she was too tired to complain and find another store.

The early flight had been quite exhausting and she didn't get eight hours of sleep the previous night. She had to eat something to combat the fatigue and brain fog.

Jessi proceeded to the counters and stood in line behind a tall guy with a baseball cap on. Their queue seemed shorter than the other line. As she checked her social media accounts, Tall Guy with the navy blue cap turned to her and began speaking. She removed her headphones. "I'm sorry? What was that?"

"You could take my spot. I'm just gonna grab some beers," Tall Guy said with a grin. It etched small dimples beneath his dark and thick scruff. His hair wasn't that dark, though, more brownish than hers.

"Oh. Thank you." Jessi smiled at the guy and had to tilt her chin up this time just to meet his gaze.

He looked taller than six feet, her former boss' height. Ugh. Why did it have to remind her of that corporate scum again?

"That's all you're gonna be having for lunch?" Tall Guy asked. It didn't look like he was on his way towards the beverages section.

Jessi almost made a face at his question—not because it sounded rude, but because his smile grew wider. It held her attention as much as she found his pale green eyes interesting. A little bit...hypnotizing.

Was he hitting on her? Or just making conversation?

The latter, probably. "Yeah. I, uh... I'm not big on heavy lunches." Jessi glanced down at her pack of chicken salad and her cold bottle of red tea. Although getting quite uncomfortable, she put on a polite smile for the guy. "Please just walk away now and stop judging me by my choice of nourishment for today," she wanted to add.

"Sorry. I'll get out of your hair now." Tall Guy clicked his tongue and glanced at her again, then finally made his way to the refrigerators showing a selection of beers. "Enjoy your lunch." He grinned at her one last time before he turned his back to her.

"You, too." She turned to face front and noticed the queue had improved. She held back a smile and stepped forward. Thanks to him forfeiting his spot in the queue, she was now minutes closer to her much-awaited first meal for the day.

Huh. LA folks weren't bad at all.

"Thank you for shopping at Georgina's. Anything else, Miss?" The female cashier smiled wide at her and giggled for some reason.

"Afternoon." Jessi greeted the cashier with a quick smile and placed her orders beside the scanner. "No. That's pretty much it."

"Okay. Thank you. Enjoy your meal." The cashier glanced away and expertly bagged her purchases with plastic utensils and put all of it in a paper bag in just seconds. She kept looking in the direction of the beverages section.

"No plastic, please. Thanks." Jessi gave the cashier a smile.

"Oh. Sure. Okay." The brunette girl kept looking at Tall Guy from afar. "Tissues. Check. Care for a sandwich?"

"No thanks."

"Okay."

"Maybe next time." Jessi glanced at the beverages section once more.

Tall Guy still looked busy choosing his beers for the day. Or week? Did he need a six-pack for himself?

Jessi couldn't help but imagine him at a party. Not that he looked like a chronic partygoer. Quite the opposite, actually. His clothes and demeanor were as laid-back as it could get.

"Can't believe I already saw him twice this week," the cashier muttered to her male workmate, suppressing another giggle. "Here you go, Miss. Have a nice day."

"Thanks." Jessi grabbed the paper bag and walked away from the cashier. The two seemed to be chatting about Tall Guy with the baseball cap.

"Isn't he directing his show's second season?" the male cashier asked.

"No. Just an episode; I read on the forum. He's not married yet. Right?"

Jessi walked out of the store, grinning to herself. Was the guy a famous director here or something?

He looked quite young to be one. He seemed nice and approachable, though. His casual getup and amicable demeanor didn't say he was someone big and important 'round here.

Would their paths cross again?