Never That Easy

"Sorry Scar, I'd be happy to take you on, but we're at max capacity, if I hired anyone else we'd start eating into our overheads." Jasper sighs with a sorrowful grimace on his face.

I'd come to his office to see if he could take me on. I didn't want to mention it to Elise, not until I had real news, so I snuck away from school without her, said Jasper wanted my hand with baby stuff. Turns out that was an awful excuse, she obviously wanted to come too, but I insisted and she went home without me. It's been a while since I had to bend the truth like that, I still don't like it, but it's only temporary, I'll tell her the truth when I get back.

"It's okay, I knew I was being cheeky anyway." I reassure him. I'm not being entirely honest, I'm definitely disappointed, Jasper was my sure thing, without him odd's are it'll be something low-paying, probably part-time, and definitely not enough to support us.

My brother seems to notice the conflict on my face. "You know, if you need money, I can still lend you-" He begins before I cut him off.

"No!" I respond quickly. "No, you've got Minnie and the baby on the way, besides, I can't mooch off you forever... I've got a life to live." I explain, thinking about Elise and I's discussion last night.

"Sounds like you've got plans, thinking of learning to drive?" He smirks. Buses are so frequent in this town and taxis are so cheap it's near pointless learning to drive, besides, with all the back paths it'd be faster to cycle on a commute, Jasper only drives to keep up appearances. Truthfully, driving's more a matter of comfort than speed around here.

"No, it's... Look, if I tell you, you can't say anything to Mum, not that there's anything to say yet, I guess." I ramble.

Jasper's smirk widens at my nervousness, though, I think part of him is happy I'm telling him a secret after the coming out fiasco. "Cross my heart! What is it? Did you get Elise pregnant?" He asks mockingly. Shit, if I were a guy I probably would have at this point, I think I've changed my sheets more often I've had hot dinners. To be fair, she's very attractive, and I'm pretty sure that's cheating.

"We're... We talked about, after school ends, moving in together." I reveal tentatively, gauging his reaction. At first, I can see the excitement shoot its way across his face with a massive grin... Before he realises he needs to play the authoritative role and shifts to an inquisitive look of concern. Smooth.

"You... You thought about this?" He asks in a hushed tone, giving me the chance to express any worries.

"Yes." I state.

"Good enough for me!" He laughs, leaning back in his chair. "Look... I wish I could hire you, I do, but I've got no leeway right now..." He reiterates. It's not like I thought my intention would change anything, but it still hurts to be rejected again, even if it is understandable. Suddenly, he leans forward again and grabs a pen. "But I might know someone who can!" He gasps, as if something has just jumped back into his mind. "There's a marketing firm, Minnie's cousin runs it, I've worked with them a couple of times, they're legit, I heard they're taking on trainees, wouldn't be the usual pay but you'd be earning more than you would on entry here." He admits, scribbling down a number and a name on a card from his desk, handing it to me.

The name is 'Lauren Freeze' and the header of the card says it's called 'Evolution Marketing Solutions.' This sounds important, and possible... And lucrative... What's the saying? If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is?

"Seems perfect, you sure you don't want to apply?" I joke, looking back at my brother, who seems immensely proud of himself.

"Hey, I said it'd pay better than what you'd get starting here, you're still not on my level, baby sister." He scoffs. It's becomes more obvious over the last few months how much pride Jasper has, especially after the craziness with William.

I look back at the card. This could be it. My golden ticket to my new life.

*

"I can't believe you actually got an interview, since when are you proactive?" Rouge asks, looking at me like I've been possessed. I'd given the company a call as soon as I left Jasper's work. Lauren was in a meeting, but I left a message with her assistant, when I got home I had a call offering me an interview, I guess Jasper's name value gave me an in. Hooray for nepotism, I guess?

I grab a handful of popcorn from our tub, we'd agreed to have a movie night, but Elise had opted to go for a shower first, leaving me and Rouge with a big tub of popcorn and a film we can't watch until she's done. I should be annoyed, but I know the reason, so I'll let it slide. Let's just say cinema isn't the only thing we've got planned tonight.

"You're right, I'm never the one to take control. How's that girlfriend I got you, by the way?" I chuckle. Rouge rolls her eyes and throws some popcorn at me, but I can see she's holding back a smile.

"Pretty good, she erm..." She begins to respond, before having to stop herself from how giddy she was getting. "She said, she's found a camper van, and wherever I end up for Uni, she's going to follow me." She finishes, the joy apparent on her face.

My sister's definitely gotten better at expressing her emotions, I think it helps that she's feeling so many good ones. I mean, who wouldn't shut down if they only feel the bad stuff, right?

"She's aware that she could just... Find somewhere to live, right? Like it's gonna be a few years, plus time at medical school, it'd probably be cheaper if you two lived together anyway." I point out.

"Wow, you find a way to ruin romance every time." Rouge groans. "Besides, the van's not just for when we go... It's a back-up in case her parents kick her out when we tell them."

Wow. That's news, I guess they're nearing the point where they can't keep it a secret much longer.

"Shit... I mean, not to say that's gonna happen, but she'd be welcome here any-" I try before Rouge interrupts me.

"Tried that, she said our house is too full already, plus, she's the kind who takes care of herself, even if she chipped in she'd feel like a charity case being here. I'm not gonna complain about her being strong enough to stand on her own two feet, it's one of the things I lo-like about her." Rouge explains with a sharp correction.

She's gotten better about expressing herself, but she's definitely still got a long way to go. I know Elise and I said it really early on, but come on, it's obvious both of them want to say it, makes me want to just grab them both and... No... Bad Scarlet... No scheming. You're on a lifetime ban. Karma hit you hard after the last one.

"You 'lo-like' about her? New word to me, what kind of emotion is that exactly?" I mock her, forcing an irritated scowl on to her face.

"Shut up." She replies succinctly.

"Behave now, or you'll go to bed with no TV." A heavenly voice giggles as Elise enters, wearing her pyjamas, she sits on the sofa next to me and throws her legs over mine as she lays down, resting her head on the arm. I offer her popcorn as Rouge finally starts the film.

It's become so cosy here, so safe, so serene. Things are looking up for me job wise, but things are definitely changing. A few months from now we could be moved out, after that Rouge and Trish'll leave town one way or another... I'm making sure I enjoy little moments like these, making sure I commit them to memory.

I want to remember how good everything is, so I can be amazed when it gets better.