Mia normally kept to herself at work, which is why she didn't have many friends at the paper. It wasn't because she was unlikable; it was really just because she was too shy and introverted to get to know new people.
Her last name, Quinn, was known throughout the journalistic community because of how talented her parents were. Every time she introduced herself, the first reaction was always, "Are you Mike and Gracie's daughter?" followed by pitying looks. It was a look she hated receiving.
Sarah was one of the few people she actually talked to at work, mainly because she had known Sarah since college. Despite their competitive dynamic, there was a foundation of mutual respect and understanding. They had worked together for two years now, and though they often clashed professionally, they also shared a friendship that came from their history and respect for each other.
Mia had just finished her morning tasks and was about to dive into Andrew's calendar when Sarah popped her head into Mia's cubicle. "Hey, you up for lunch today? There's a new place that opened up around the corner."
Mia glanced at her watch. She had some time before her next deadline. "Yeah, sure. I could use a break."
They walked to the small bistro, chatting about mundane things—office gossip, the weather, and Sarah's latest dating woes. It was nice to talk about something other than work for a change.
"So, how's the article with Andrew going?" Sarah asked as they settled into their seats and ordered their meals.
Mia sighed, stirring her iced tea. "It's... challenging. He scheduled a bunch of interviews and field research without even checking if I was free. It's like he's trying to take over everything."
Sarah laughed. "That sounds like the Andrew I would hear about during uni days. Always taking charge. But who knows, maybe he's not that bad once you get to know him."
Mia rolled her eyes. "Yeah, well, we have a lot of history. It's complicated."
"Weren't you guys close back in university? I remember you guys being in the same group of friends, though I could be wrong." Sarah asked curiously.
"Yeah well," Sarah answered tentatively, "We were part of the same big group, but he and I… we weren't… particularly close, if that makes sense."
Sarah nodded, sensing there was more to the story but not pressing further. Instead, she changed the subject. "You know, we've worked together for two years now, and I've known you since college, but I've never seen you after work hours."
Mia raised her eyebrows after this, "Yeah, sorry about that…."
Sarah gave a short laugh and waved her away, "No apologies necessary, what you do in your own time is your own business. Work life balance and what not." She said nonchalantly.
Mia couldn't help but smile and shake her head, this is one of the main reasons she stuck with Sarah. She was never nosy.
Sarah went on, "So, what do you do to unwind after a stressful day of being a top-tier journalist?"
Mia hesitated for a moment before answering. "I write."
Sarah raised an eyebrow. "Well, yeah, we all write. It's our job."
"No, I mean, I write fiction. It's something I've been doing on the side, just for myself," Mia admitted, feeling a bit exposed.
"Really? That's amazing! What kind of stories do you write?" Sarah leaned in, genuinely interested.
"Mostly romance, some fantasy. It's just a way to escape and create worlds that are different from ours. Sometimes, when the stress gets too much, I take a break from writing news stories and work on my novel."
Sarah's eyes sparkled with excitement. "You have to let me read it sometime!"
Mia laughed, feeling a bit more at ease. "Maybe when it's finished. If it ever gets finished."
Their food arrived, and they spent the rest of lunch talking about books and their favorite authors. Mia found herself relaxing, enjoying the conversation. It was a reminder that there was more to life than deadlines and news articles.
Back at the office, Mia felt a renewed sense of purpose. She knew she had a lot on her plate, but she also had more than just her job to look forward to. Her private novel and her stash of books were her escape, her way of coping with the demands of her job and staying close to the memories of her parents. It was honestly her happy place.
She returned to her desk, determined to tackle the rest of the day with a positive attitude. As she opened her laptop to check her emails, she noticed a new message from Andrew.
It was a detailed plan for their next few interviews, complete with locations and contact information. He had also included a note at the end: "I'm sorry for getting ahead of myself. Hope this works with your schedule. Let me know if we need to adjust anything. Seriously, let me know."
Mia couldn't help but smile. Maybe Andrew was trying to be more considerate. She replied, suggesting a few changes and thanking him for his effort.
Before diving back into work, Mia took a moment to open a new document. She typed out a few lines of her personal novel, letting the words flow naturally, knowing that it wouldn't see the light of day or have any other readers than herself.
It was a small act, but it reminded her of why she loved writing in the first place. It wasn't just about following in her parents' footsteps or meeting deadlines. It was about telling stories that mattered to her, stories that could make people feel something.
And maybe, just maybe, it was time to take that part of her life a little more seriously.
As the afternoon sun streamed through the office windows, Mia found herself lost in a productive flow. She completed her tasks for the day, her mind lingering on the thought of her novel. It had started as a side project, a way to unwind from the pressures of journalism, but it had grown into something more meaningful. Each character, each plot twist, was a reflection of her innermost thoughts and dreams.