I skipped down the sidewalk, giddily humming to myself.

I was still shocked that I had gotten the part, but I was now also just plain excited. I popped in my earbuds and played my Olly Murs playlist, because I was in an upbeat mood. My Spotify algorithm did not disappoint, as "Dance With Me Tonight" started thumping in my ears. It was all I could do to keep myself from swing dancing with an imaginary partner right there on the Subway.

I finally made it back to my small apartment in Jersey City and unlocked my door. I came in and threw my keys and purse onto the counter and flopped onto the couch, kicking my legs in the air like a lunatic.

"Uh, you okay in there, Tiny?" came a familiar, booming voice.

I sat up to find an amused Malcolm Hirsh staring at me through my front door that I had accidentally left open apparently.

Malcolm was my next door neighbor and honorary big brother, a duty he took very seriously. He always checked up on me to make sure I didn't starve, and also to make sure I was getting enough sleep and doing okay in general.

The differences between us were pretty contrasting. He was 6'2", with mocha skin, curly, black locks, and rippling pectorals. Yeah. The differences were striking.

Malcolm was currently a waiter/performer at Ellen's Stardust Diner, which was right beside the Winter Garden Theater. That meant we would work next to each other, now.

"Oh! Malcolm! Guess what guess what guess what guess what guess what??" I gushed, hopping up and sliding over to him in my socks.

"Um, you finally figured out how to work your crappy microwave?"

"What? No. No, I still have to kick it to heat up my Ramen Noodles."

"Oh. Well then, I don't know."

I was hopping from one foot to the other, about to explode from pure happiness.

"I got in. I got the part. I'm on Broadway!"

His eyes widened, then he flashed a blinding smile before scooping up my tiny frame and spinning me around, all whilst fan girl screaming.

I was cackling at his behavior and the fact that I was being flung around midair.

He finally put me down, beaming.

"I knew you could do it!"

I grinned at him. "Thanks. It's people like you that gave me confidence enough to go and actually do it. So thank you."

He clapped. "Put that in an article, because I think that's the most professional thing I've ever heard you say."

I laughed. "Thanks, I think?"

I motioned for him to come inside, and he followed me into my apartment, shutting the door behind him.

"So," he said, chilling in an armchair as I plopped back down onto the couch and turned on the tv. "When is your sister moving in?"

"Oh, she's coming next week, since she finished her senior year early, since she was homeschooled," I replied, clicking on Mean Girls.

He nodded as he pulled out a granola bar and bit it.

"Do you want popcorn? I'm going to pop me some and you definitely need more than a granola bar, mister."

"Um, okay, thanks," he said, chuckling as I kicked my microwave to get it to come on.

"You know," he said, smiling, "maybe you should get somebody to look at that thing. Or here's a thought:," here he cupped his hands around his mouth. "Buy a new one!"

I rolled my eyes, shaking my head and grinning at him.

"Nah. Not when I've gotten so attached to Janky, here!" I gave the microwave a couple of pats, causing it to abruptly turn off. I hurriedly squatted down beside it, jiggling the appliance desperately. "Sh-"

"Yeah, now I see why no one would want to get rid of it," Malcolm interrupted, crossing his arms and smirking.

After we both finally had our popcorn and Capri Suns, (let's face it: we acted like we were in the third grade) we kicked back to watch Mean Girls. Before we started it, though, I raised my Capri Sun dramatically.

"A toast! To my new job!" I cried. Malcolm followed my lead, raising his own juice pouch.

"Here, here! To your new job that will enable you to finally buy a toaster oven!"

We tapped our pouches together, and then slurped down the rest of the contents.

"Welp, time to watch girls be mean and petty to each other for an hour and a half," I said, clicking play.

Malcolm smiled and kicked back in his armchair. "I can't think of a better way to spend my Friday evening. It's gonna be fetch!"