I took a deep breath as I stood in front of Gale’s office door, smoothing out my jacket one last time. I knocked, and his familiar voice came through, “Come in!”

Inside, he looked up at me, practically beaming with excitement. Papers were spread across his desk in what could only be described as organized chaos. I could tell he was ready to dive right into the internship details.

“Moriah! You have no idea how excited I am about this opportunity for you,” he said, gesturing to the chair across from him. “You’ll be right in the heart of Alpharise City’s creative scene. This is huge!”

As he went over each detail—the projects, the hands-on experience, the chance to meet talented people—I felt my own excitement building. This was a dream I’d worked for. And yet, beneath the excitement, there was this other thought gnawing at me. Something I hadn’t quite shaken since last Friday.

“Hey, Gale,” I said, hesitating a bit. “There’s something else I wanted to tell you about.”

He looked up, curious. “Sure, what’s up?”

“Last Friday, Lyka and I were at Greenpark for her gig. When I was about to cross the street, I saw this guy… he looked exactly like Evan.” I paused, trying to gauge his reaction. “At first, I thought my mind just playing tricks on me, but then later that night I saw a post from Evan’s sister. They were actually at the same park that night.”

His eyes widened a bit, and I could see the gears turning. “Wait, so you actually saw him?”

“Yeah. I guess.” I nodded, feeling my face warm up. “And I'm a little worried. What if he’s staying close just around this city? I mean, if I transfer to Alpharise City, it’ll be a trek just to get back to Greenpark. I'll be in reverse position but same situation. Is it even worth it?”

Gale seemed to think it over. “Greenpark has been getting a lot of buzz lately,” he finally said. “It’s become a bit of a weekend hotspot—the perfect vibe for music, open air, all that. He and his friends probably just checked it out.”

"I hope so." I managed a small smile, but I still couldn't shake the thought.

Gale move his chair just enough near infront of me, giving me one of those reassuring smiles he always seemed to have on hand.

“Listen, Moriah,” he started, “I know it feels like a lot right now. I get it—between the internship, the idea of relocating, and the possibility of seeing Evan again.” His tone softened. “But this is exactly the kind of moment you’ve been waiting for. Your career finally getting traction, and your heart—well, it sounds like it’s finding its own way, too.”

I bit my lip, not sure if I should feel relieved or more nervous. “But what if it all falls apart, Gale? Like, maybe Evan being at the park was just some random thing. And if I move to Alpharise, I might be farther from him than ever.”

He chuckled gently, shaking his head. “Or maybe, just maybe, it’s the universe giving you a little nudge. You’ve got this internship lined up, you’re finally stepping into your dream, and as for Evan… if he’s meant to be part of it, things will work out. Just trust the timing.”

I nodded slowly, trying to absorb his optimism. “I guess you’re right. Maybe this is my chance to focus on what I’ve worked for and just… see what happens.”

“Exactly,” he said, leaning forward with that spark of excitement back in his eyes. “You’re young, you’re talented, and the world is opening up to you. Don’t let anything hold you back, alright? Go into this with your whole heart. If Evan’s part of that, he’ll find his way in. And if not… well, then you’re already on a path you love.”

For the first time that morning, I felt a weight lift from my shoulders. Maybe Gale was right. I had no idea where the future would take me, but for once, I felt okay with not knowing.

***

The next morning, I hopped on a train to Alpharise City, my stomach a mix of excitement and nerves. As soon as I reached the building, I could see why Gale spoke so highly of it. The exterior was sleek and modern, standing tall in the middle of the creative district. But stepping inside was like entering another world. Large, framed photographs and vibrant paintings lined the lobby walls, giving the whole space a buzz of creativity that felt contagious. I almost forgot I was here for a final interview.

When I reached the reception desk, I cleared my throat. “Hi, I’m here to see the executive manager? I was told to come for a final interview.”

The receptionist smiled warmly and checked her schedule. “Ah, yes, Moriah! Right on time. Let me take you up.” She led me down a corridor with photos from major events, portraits of actors and singers, and even a few traditional pieces that took my breath away. Just seeing it all made me feel like I was in the right place.

I was led to a glass-walled office where a woman sat, talking on the phone. She looked around middle-aged, with a professional yet casual style—no-nonsense yet approachable. Her face was focused, maybe a little stern, but there was a kindness around her eyes. As soon as she hung up, she gave me a small smile and motioned for me to come in.

“You must be Moriah,” she said, extending her hand. “I’m Jenna Reid. Thanks for making it out here.”

I shook her hand and tried to look as calm as I could. “Thank you for having me, Ms. Reid.”

“Please, call me Jenna.” She sat down, flipping through my portfolio, and the silence stretched a bit as I watched her study my work. Then she glanced up at me with a small smile. “You have an eye, Moriah. Your photos tell a story, which is exactly what we look for here at Visionary Arts Collective.”

I relaxed a bit, feeling a little more confident. “Thank you. I love working with light and finding ways to bring out the subject’s personality.”

She nodded, looking thoughtful. “So tell me, if you were handed a project right now, something big—let’s say an event for multiple artists—how would you approach it?”

My mind raced. I thought about the lobby, the different art styles, the mix of people I’d seen here. “I’d start by understanding each artist’s style,” I replied, choosing my words carefully. “Then I’d look for ways to tie their styles together visually, so each piece shines but still feels part of a bigger story. Like, capturing a feeling that’s unique to the event but true to each artist.”

Jenna’s eyes lit up, and I felt a little thrill of validation. She closed my portfolio, giving me a small nod. “Well, Moriah, I’d like to take things a step further. We just signed on a project that involves a mix of talents—singers, visual artists, you name it. We’re assembling a team, and I’d like to challenge you to join us for a face-to-face brainstorming session with some of our top executives and new staffs.”

She leaned back, watching my reaction. “Think of it as a chance to pitch your ideas, to show us how you’d bring this project to life.”

I felt a surge of adrenaline. “I’d love that,” I said, managing to keep my voice steady. “It sounds like exactly the kind of challenge I’ve been hoping for.”

“Good!” she said, smiling for real this time. “Then let’s see what you’ve got.”

When Jenna stood up and gestured for me to follow, I wasn’t sure what to expect. We drove through Alpharise City, and I tried to memorize the landmarks on the way—stylish storefronts, tall buildings, people bustling along the sidewalks. Twenty minutes later, we pulled up to a cafe and it was well known for being exclusive, the kind of place where only serious creatives gathered.

Inside, the cafe had a sophisticated vibe, with soft lighting, sleek decor, and low chatter coming from all directions. But Jenna didn’t linger in the main room; instead, she walked straight toward a private area at the back, and I followed, trying to calm my nerves. When we entered the private room, a few people were already seated, and they immediately caught my eye. Each person had this certain aura about them, their styles unique and artistic, practically announcing they were here for serious creative work. There was a woman in a sharp, asymmetrical blazer with bold accessories, and a man with a laid-back, stylish look—one that probably cost more than my entire wardrobe.

“Everyone, I’d like you to meet Moriah,” Jenna said, turning to me with a smile. “She’s joining us as a new intern and is going to be helping with some photography concepts for the upcoming project.” She went around the room, introducing me to each person. I tried to remember names and titles, but there were so many, and each one seemed more impressive than the last.

Then Jenna took her seat at the head of the table, and, to my surprise, she motioned for me to sit right next to her. I could feel the attention shifting my way, but I forced myself to sit tall and calm, even though my heart was pounding.

Jenna glanced around the table, her expression turning thoughtful. “It looks like a few key people haven’t arrived yet,” she murmured, mostly to herself, before glancing at the man to her right. “Has anyone heard from the music producers or our director?”

The man shook his head. “Not yet, but they should be on their way. We’re waiting on Carlos, our lead producer, and Valerie, the director for this project.”

Jenna nodded, then turned to me, giving me a reassuring smile as if to say, You’re going to be fine.

I took a deep breath and tried to focus, my mind already racing with ideas for the project. It was one thing to imagine my work in a space like Visionary Arts Collective, but being here—among these people—was like stepping into a world I’d only dreamed about.

Just a few minutes into our gathering, Jenna cleared her throat to speak when the door swung open. Few new people entered, and my heart skipped a beat as I instinctively straightened in my seat.

The first was Carlos, a sophisticated man who exuded an air of authority. He looked like someone who had already settled into a life full of responsibilities—maybe even a family man. He greeted Jenna from afar with a nod but didn’t come closer; instead, he found a seat at the far end of the table.

Next was Valerie, the music director. She had an infectious energy, and as she approached Jenna, it was clear they had a close relationship. They hugged warmly, exchanging a few words like old friends. Jenna then turned to me, introducing me with a smile. “Moriah, this is Valerie. She’ll be leading the musical aspect of our project.”

“Nice to meet you, Moriah!” Valerie beamed, and I returned the greeting, my mind racing.

Just then, a third person walked in, and my heart dropped. It was Evan!

He looked effortlessly cool, wearing a black turtleneck under a black jean jacket paired with gray pants, a combination that made him stand out while still looking laid-back. As always, he wore his black cap pulled low, adding to his effortlessly stylish vibe. For a moment, I was frozen in shock, taking in the sight of him, until Carlos pulled him to a seat, and they began chatting as if no one else was in the room. I couldn’t help but wonder if Evan even noticed me sitting here, feeling utterly out of place.

Valerie sat down on the other side of the table, right next to Jenna. I could hear Jenna trying to call everyone’s attention to kick off the meeting, but my mind was elsewhere. I was lost in a whirlwind of thoughts. Did Evan recognize me? Would he remember that day at the camp? Should I introduce myself? My heart raced, and the chatter around me faded into background noise as I sat still, grappling with my nerves.

“Moriah?” Jenna’s voice cut through my thoughts, snapping me back to reality. “Moriah! Could you share your ideas with us?”

I took a deep breath, feeling my stomach twist with unease.

I looked around the room, meeting the gazes of several people, including Evan’s. Our eyes locked for a brief moment, and my breath caught in my throat. Is he surprised? Concerned? I couldn’t tell. He just looks ... normal.

Feeling the weight of their stares, I knew I had to speak. “Um, yes,” I managed, my voice shaking slightly. “I have some ideas for how we can visually capture the essence of this project.”

And as I continue to spill my ideas, I couldn’t shake the feeling that Evan was watching me, and it threw me off my game a bit. Do I sound competent? Do I look embarassing right now? Am I doing this right? Shit. I don't expect things to go this way.

After almost two hours of intense brainstorming and jotting down notes, it felt like the meeting was finally wrapping up. Everyone seemed satisfied with the clear plan we had established for the project. As the discussions wound down, a few people began to gather their things and leave the room, their expressions reflecting the excitement of what lay ahead.

Then Valerie approached me with a bright smile. “Moriah, I just wanted to say that your ideas were fantastic! They are really helppful to shape the direction we need to go in.”

My heart swelled at her praise. “Thank you, I’m really glad I could contribute,” I replied, trying to keep my voice steady.

Jenna chimed in, her enthusiasm evident. “And I receive rumor from Gale when I was in phone with him. He said you can sing too! Is that true?”

I felt my cheeks flush with surprise. “Um, I—I can carry a tune,” I stammered, not expecting this kind of attention.

Jenna and Valerie exchanged glances, both clearly intrigued. “We’d love to hear you sometime!” Valerie said, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

As they continued talking, I took a moment to glance toward Evan. Even in his cold fashion today, he looked effortlessly cool. But it was the smile on his face that caught me off guard—the same smile I missed seeing. He was chatting with a few staff members, his relaxed demeanor and infectious laughter drawing people in like a magnet.

I am mesmerized, lost in the moment as I watched him. I didn’t even notice that Jenna and Valerie were still talking beside me until Evan suddenly looked up and met my gaze! A wave of shock washed over me, and instinctively, I averted my eyes, avoiding the connection. What would I say if he came over? Would he remember me?

Jenna nudged my arm, pulling me back to reality. “Are you okay, Moriah?” she asked, a hint of concern in her voice.

“Yes! I’m fine,” I replied quickly, forcing a smile as I tried to shake off the nervousness. But my heart still racing, knowing that Evan had seen me. I felt like I was teetering on the edge of something unknown, and the thrill mixed with anxiety was almost overwhelming.

As Jenna and I stepped outside the café, the cool evening air wrapped around us, a refreshing contrast to the warm atmosphere inside. Jenna turned to me, her expression bright and filled with excitement.

“Moriah, I can’t thank you enough for your help today! I’m thrilled to confirm your internship. You’ll be working with us for the next few months, and I can’t wait to see what you bring to the team. We’ll have your contract signing tomorrow.”

A wave of happiness washed over me. “Thank you, Jenna! I’m so grateful for this opportunity. I can’t wait to get started!”

Jenna smiled widely. “Good! You deserve this. Now, let me give you a ride to the bus station. It’s getting a bit late, and I wouldn’t want you to travel alone at night.”

I hesitated, looking back toward the street. “I appreciate it, but I need to stop by the apartment I’ll be moving in this coming weekend. I’ll just grab a taxi on the way home.”

She nodded understandingly. “Okay, no problem! Just be careful, all right? I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“See you tomorrow!” I called back as she climbed into her car. I watched her drive off, her headlights disappearing into the growing darkness.

As I turned to walk toward the road, I felt a mix of excitement and nervousness bubbling inside me. I had just landed an internship at Visionary Arts Collective, a dream come true, yet the thought of Evan still lingered in my mind. I couldn’t shake the feeling of what could have been if I had spoken to him.

“Moriah!” a familiar voice call my name from just a few steps behind me.

My heart raced as I recognized the voice of Evan. The nervousness crept in instantly, tightening my stomach. I turned slowly to face him, unsure of how to react. As I turned around, Evan was standing just a few steps behind me, hands in his pockets, looking as surprised as I felt.

“You did a great job in the meeting today. I'm surprised you'll be joining the team.” he followed wearing that usual grin he always have. He's approach never changed, it feels like that very first day we met.

“Oh, um, thank you,” I replied, feeling a nervous flutter in my chest. “Yeah, it’s… a bit surreal, honestly. But I’m excited.”

“That's good.” he said, still smiling. “Guess we’ll be working together, then.”

The words left me a bit breathless, half-nervous and half-excited that Evan was standing so close, talking to me with that easy confidence of his. I tried to keep my voice steady. “Yeah. It’ll be great.”

He glanced around, and then his eyes returned to me. “Are you heading home now?”

“I was actually about to check out an apartment,” I said, tucking a stray strand of hair behind my ear. “I’ll be moving there next weekend.”

“Oh, really? Where is it?”

I told him the address, and his expression brightened. “I know that area. Need a ride to check it out?”

His offer caught me off guard, and I hesitated, my heart pounding. “Oh, I don’t want to trouble you…”

“It’s no trouble at all,” he said, smiling reassuringly. “I’m heading that way, and it’d be nice to catch up.”

I found myself nodding, half in disbelief that this was really happening. “Alright, thank you. I’d appreciate that.”

He motioned toward his car parked nearby, and I followed him, trying to contain the flurry of excitement and nerves building inside me.