The next morning, Jade woke up early, the butterflies in her stomach starting as soon as she opened her eyes. Today was her first day at her new job, an entry-level position at a marketing agency. It wasn't exactly her dream job, but it was a foot in the door—a way to pay the bills and hopefully discover something she enjoyed.
She dressed quickly, mentally rehearsing her elevator pitch, her smile, her handshake. As she walked through the bustling city streets, everything felt surreal. She could see herself reflected in the shop windows, just another young face in a crowd, but somehow that made her feel… free. There was something thrilling about being anonymous in a sea of people all rushing somewhere.
Inside the sleek office building, Jade felt her heart race as she met her team. Her boss, a sharp-dressed woman named Karen, gave her a polite nod, but it was her colleague, Leo, who made her feel at ease. Leo was in his late 20s, with a quick wit and a friendly smile. He seemed to notice her nerves and made a point of checking in on her throughout the day.
At lunch, they sat in the break room, where Leo regaled her with stories about the city and shared a few tips about the job. "You know," he said, "I was in your shoes once, fresh out of college, eager to make my mark. I changed jobs three times before I found what I really wanted. Don't sweat it if this isn't the perfect fit—it rarely is on the first try."
Jade nodded, feeling a bit more reassured. She appreciated his honesty, his easy confidence. She hoped that someday she'd feel as sure of herself.