Five years later . . .

"Wake up, Idalia! You're late!" I hear someone yell at me.

I slowly open my eyes, and I realize that it's Marina. She's resorted to jumping up and down, and throwing my clothes at me. I question why the fuck she's doing this, until I realize.

Today is my interview.

I look around my bedroom, and look out the framed window that shows the nice weather outside. Well, specifically at how light it is outside in contrast to the darkness that was present last night.

I run out of bed, and grab onto the outfit that Marina had rudely layed out on my bed. It's a business casual outfit, and perfect for a good first impression. My morning routine starts, and I do each step at 20x speed.

When I put on my clothes, I smile at myself as I look into the mirror. I feel confident that I'll get this job. I close the door to our small bedroom, and head into the next phase of my routine.

I have my dark brown bag in hand, and leave it on the couch while I eat a quick breakfast in the kitchen. I plan to just eat the first thing I find, which is usually always cereal since I'm too lazy to cook anything.

Marina's a fantastic cook though, and I'm thankful for her existance once again when I find that she has this elaborate breakfast plate on the kitchen counter.

She sees my excitement and says, "you're welcome."

I skip over to her like some uncontrollable teenager, and I kiss her. There go the same flying sparks whenever I'm near her. I'll never get over that feeling.

"I love you so much. Thank you for doing this," I tell her.

She smiles, and says, "yeah, yeah. Now make sure that you get that job. Hurry up!"

I, once again, remember that I'm running late. I practically shove all of the delicious food in my mouth in attempt to save time.

Marina is talking to me about how I should have set an alarm to wake up on time. I remind her that it wouldn't have mattered because we had slept very late last night, and I would have slept through the sound anyway.

Last night, we had stayed up late because we had been so excited to hear the news that Marina recieved. Her second studio album now has a release date. Eight months from now, her album will hit the shelves and will be heard by people around the world. Somehow, this album release is even more exciting because there are less uncertainties surrounding the release.

Her first album had been a huge risk. It payed off though, and she ended up reaching top 10s in the charts around the world. For this album, we're aiming for #1. And this time, it seems likely.

Hearing that news had been huge for us, because Marina never thought that it would happen to her. She never anticipated having this much success, and it was shocking. I recall the moment she recieved her first pay check after the album. All of the tears and happiness after we saw what her career had given her.

It also allowed us to buy our first apartment together. That took place one year ago, when we were fresh out of college. Since then, she's gone on tour. Like the amazing girlfriend I am, I put my career on hold in order to travel with her to each destination.

I was there for each show and each meeting.

I would stand backstage at the concerts in the small theatres, and I watched her sing and show the world her music.

Years ago, we had problems about our lack of communication. That's changed for the better.

In fact, she has become so good at fixing her side of the communication skills, that now the songs that she writes about out worst moments are sung by thousands of fans in the form of catchy tunes. I don't mind it, since she's immensely talented and I don't want to take away from her gift. Plus, it's better than it contributing to a huge fight like that time all those years ago.

It almost feels as if it didn't happen. High school feels as if it didn't happen. I've grown so much since then, and I've become better at my own patience and well, listening. If I had been better at paying closer attention, I may have figured out her beloved Tumblr identity much sooner. We all have our own faults I suppose.

I'm still in touch with Elliot, who's now a local news reporter for our town back home. Though we've grown apart a bit because of the distance, we're still best friends.

As to anyone else, I haven't spoken to any of my old high school classmates since. Sometimes, I wonder what people like Zara and my old teachers are up to. No one has reached out to me either, but I don't mind. I wouldn't want to return to that part of my life or to those people, even if I question what they may be doing now.

People from my old school probably feel the same way about me.

Marina, on the other hand, is a completely different story. She recieves daily letters and mail from people who want to be noticed by her. Many of which are our old classmates from high school who at that time, had hardly ever talked to Marina. Their desperate urge to become famous is painstakingly obvious, so we always throw those letters away without a single objection. Marina's at a point in her life where her fame seems to only be going up. People from the past won't be part of that though.

Our New York lifestyle is a fresh start for both of us.

I had taken a break from my career for Marina, but it's mostly an excuse. When I was in college, I left without any job offers to support me. It was embarassing. I had been working on my dream for so long, and I still failed.

So, I decided to make Marina's dream part of my own. I want to try again though. That's why it's important for me to stop thinking about what has already happened and will happen, and instead get in the car to drive to my interview.

The job opportunity was a miracle. It was also a throwback to my past.

Why?

I was being interviewed for the position of a software engineer at Tumblr.

It feels like everything has been leading up to this. All of the failures and mistakes. The hard work and success. Everything.

Serendipity.

To have the chance to work for the social media company that had brought Marina and I together.

That's what it is.

Without that site, I might not even be dating her today. Our lives would be insanely different, and I don't even want to envision a life where Marina isn't with me.

When I finish my meal, I get up to give Marina another kiss on the cheek. She had been talking to me while I was eating about getting ready to work on finalizing another song.

I tell her that I'll look over the song later, and I reassure her that it'll be amazing. She hugs me, and tells me that she's certain I'll get the job.

"I appreciate you doing this for me, babe. I'll see you later."

"You've got this!" She yells.

I'm already out the door at that point, walking down the complicated stairs to get to the exit of the building. I ignore each sound that the stairs make as I walk down each step. I ignore the loud noise that the door makes when I shut it behind me. I ignore everything and anything that'll distract me.

I get into my red car, take a deep breath, and I start my journey to get to my interview. I check the clock one last time, and find that I might be able to make it in time.

When I find an empty parking space in front of the building, I feel refreshed. The large extravagant place is full of employees walking in and out of the place. A sign is placed several feet before the entrance, simply with the signature blue logo of the social media site.

I feel hesitant to walk in, but the sun's appearance in the sky energizes me, strangely enough. I continue walking.

I'm greeted by the receptionist at the front desk who directs me to the room where my interview will be taking place.

I feel hopeful, and ready for this next part of my life.

After the interview that's full of complicated and intense questions, I'm on my way back home. It was a welcoming work environment, with all of the employees being kind to me and expressing how excited they would be to work with me. It feels like it was all meant to be.

I look down at my phone, and open up the Tumblr app. My blog is still the same as it was in high school, only with new posts and more followers.

I open up the messaging tab, and find that Marina is active right now.

I send her a message.

daylightful | 1:32 pm
Sea, I got the job!

I put my phone away, start the car, and drive home.

Millions of thoughts are running through my head. Many are about my new job, but one idea sticks out.

I can't wait to celebrate with Marina.

The end.

I truly hope that you all enjoyed reading this book as much as I enjoyed writing it! It was a long journey but I'm happy to see that I was able to write out Idalia's and Marina's journey together. ❤️