Vivian

I drive down the interstate feeling excited and nervous.

This is going to be my first big break.

Ever since I was a little girl, I loved the sea. More than anything, I wanted to be a marine biologist.

And now here I am, after years of chasing that dream, and it's finally attainable.

I found Marine Biologists for Conservation and Research, or MBCR, online one night when I was looking for potential jobs.

Their website completely blew me away.
There were so many opportunities for internships that it was hard to choose.

And the best thing: they were looking for young people with little to no experience.

The other sites I had looked into always required applicants to be thirty years old or older. Ugh.

I get bored on the drive and reach for my phone. I almost text Brendan hi; but just before I hit send, I delete the text and exit his profile.

I decide to text Natalie instead.

Me: hi, Nat

Nat: hey girl. r u OK?

I roll my eyes. Brendan and I are just taking a break. It's not the end of the world.

Me: I'm fine.

Nat: liar

Me: no, srsly, I'm fine.

Nat: fine, miss 'Fine', I'll talk abt something else. It's gonna be soo fun to share an apartment!

Me: yeah 🎉😆

Nat: yayyyy- omg, gtg, sry, cookies burning!

Me: ok c u soon

Without Natalie's cheerful banter, I'm left with my stupid thoughts that won't shut up about Brendan.

What made him want a break?

Was it my smile? Did he think it was too much? Maybe I should stop smiling and giggling over everything he says?

Am I too needy? Did I text him too much?
I thought he liked it when I checked on him to make sure he was okay.

Or maybe he just doesn't like me anymore.

The thought comes from nowhere, almost making me believe it.

Nope, happy vibes only on this road to destiny.

I tap the music player icon on my phone and turn up my favorite tunes, singing along at the top of my lungs.

MBCR of Seaglaide, here I come!

A/N: I'm doing shorter chapters now, bcs it feels a lot less stressful this way
Thanks for reading this, I enjoyed writing it😊lmk what you think, lysm, and see u in chapter twooooooooo!
💙💙💙💙💙🐈‍⬛