7 habits of highly effective people

Melanie was ecstatic, she always hated those girls. Erin wanted to slap them around. Billy and Marvin tried to act like nothing happened, believing talking sports was a good distraction. Tom was being affectionate, kissing your head, rubbing your back, everything he could to remind you you were safe while you pretended to be a part of the conversation You just wanted to disappear. You didn't want to feel the burning eyes of the girls at the lunch tables. The rest of the day girls would glare at you the way a mother would at an ungrateful child.

Finally, it was time for your interview. You changed into your pencil skirt and a simple button down white blouse. Tom dropped you off at the store front with a good luck kiss, "Hey, you got this. And after we'll go see Deadpool 2 to celebrate."

"If I even get the job."

"You will."

You stood awkwardly in front of the front desk. "I'm... here for a job interview."

"Oh yes, Kara. I'm Isabelle, follow me." You followed Isabelle back through the store, you briefly spot Mary wavingat you. You give her a wave back before disappearing into an office off to the side of a stockroom. "Right here." She opens the door leading you inside where you met the manager.

"Ah, you must be Kara."

"I must be. I mean, I am."

The manager smiled, "I'm Peter Willard. Please, have a seat." You sat, remembering to cross your legs properly over your feet like a 'professional' woman. "I must say this is highly irregular."

"It is?"

He nodded. "Indeed. Your application was-"

"Who filled out an application?"

"That makes a little more sense, I suppose." He handed you the application someone filled out complete with your social and driver number.

"Erin." You groaned.

"The sister Mary talked about I take it?"

"Yes, sir."

"Well, you know we ask for these numbers to make sure you are who you say you are, right?"

"Then why am I here?"

"Mary is a good judge of character and she seems to like you. Of course I'm also curious."

"I can just go."

"I'm not going to stop you, but from what I understand you need this job." He was right.

"I'm transgender." God how you hated that word, you just wanted to be a girl.

"I see."

"And name changes cost like 700$, which I don't have because I don't have a job, and I can't get a job because I look nothing like him." Your eyes went wide as you realized you definitely shouldn't vent to some stranger who you want a job from. "I'll just go."

"Wait." He stood following you to the door holding it closed. It was then you realized how much larger he was than you were. It was hard to tell since he had been sitting the entire time. 'This is it!' You thought, 'I'm gonna get killed or **** or both.' "Please, sit." He returned to his desk in the small office. "I don't work the floor because my face and size intimidates most of our customers. Our store has always had an open hiring policy for lgbt individuals, basically anyone qualified is hired and anyone with money is welcome as a customer."

"That makes sense, I guess."

"If you wish to continue we can."

"I really need this job." He nodded as you sat back down. The rest of the interview was like any other job interview. You felt better the longer the interview went on, in your experience short interviews and a handshake spelled ****.

"Well, Kara. I think it's safe to say we'd love to have you on board."

"Really?!"

"If you still want."

"I want."

He smiled, "Good, now do you have any questions for me?"

"I do actually. What about...my situation."

"If you want I can tell the employees before hand, or you can tell them. Or we just don't. I'll leave that decision up to you."

"I think honestly I'd rather not tell any more people than already know." You didn't want to be known as that transgirl, you just want to be that girl working at a makeup counter.

"I understand. Do you have anymore questions?"

"No, sir."

"Good." He stood and you followed him as he opened the door. "We'll start you on Monday."

"Great." You shook his hand. You texted Tom with no less than seven exclamation points and five emojis as you rushed to his truck. "I got the job!" You tackled Tom on the bench seat and kissed him happily.

"Ba-" You covered him in kisses. "Babe-" You had a job, You had a boyfriend and You didn't have to hide anymore. You wanted nothing more than to-Someone knocked on the window of the truck startling you. "I tried to tell you."

It was Mary. "Hey, you the make out spot is behind the store." She laughed as you rolled the window down. "I heard you got the job."

"I heard I have you to thank for that." You smiled.

"Oh, please. I may have gotten your foot in the door, but you did the rest."

"Still, thank you."

"Hey girls like us have to stick together."

"What?"

Mary looked passed you,"Is this the illustrious prom date?".

"Oh, yeah, this is my boyfriend, Tom."

Tom stretched to shake Mary's hand. "Hey."

"Charmed." She giggled shaking Tom's hand. "I have to get back to work, you know how it is. Well...you will Monday." She giggled again. "We'll talk then."

"Will do."

You lay on Tom as he drove to the promised Alpine movie theater. Tom's discount and the discounted day were a Godsend for two broke kids in love. "Hey Mr.Rico." You waved at Tom's manager as he tore your tickets.

"I've told you, dear. Call me Hector."

"I'll try." You smiled.

"Enjoy your movie." He smiled back.

One perk of frequenting the Alpine was everyone knew your standard snack order by now. "Kara, you get more beautiful every time I see you." Heather complimented you as she sat your popcorn bucket on the counter.

"Thank you." You blushed.

"Did you just come from court or something?"

"A job interview actually."

"Celebrating?"

"We are."

"Wonderful! Tell you what, popcorn's on the house."

"Really?"

"Of course, Hun." She smiled at you before turning to Tom. "10.50."

"Hey, I don't get anything free?"

"You got a job, mister man!"

Tom play grumbled as he paid.