"We buy things we don't need, to impress people we don't like."

~Fight Club

Kelsey felt like she was locked in a movie scene.

Sandy's convertible was slowly making its way down the freeway that was lined with palm trees.

Wind tossed Kelsey's hair into disarray and the smell of sunscreen and salt made her shiver, though it was eighty degrees outside.

She'd forgotten her sunglasses in her carry-on, which would have made the scene perfect, but her eyes were closed anyway.

"Is it everything you'd imagined?" Sandy asked, as they came to yet another halt in traffic.

"It's perfect," Kelsey sighed, "and I've only been here for, what? Two hours?"

She smoothed out her skirt before kicking off her sandals and tucking her legs beneath her.

"So how's your blog going?" Kelsey asked, squinting against the sun. "I saw that you got sponsored by that Etsy store the other day."

"Even better!" Sandy squealed, placing a hand on Kelsey's arm. "Sandy in Southern California is being sponsored by Etsy itself! They invited me to open a booth at their conference in November."

"No way!" Kelsey laughed, squeezing her friend's hand. "That's so exciting!"

"I know! I know!" Sandy exhaled. "And if Alex ever proposes, we'll have enough money for our dream wedding!"

Kelsey's excitement faltered. Alex was Sandy's reason for moving to California. Kelsey had only met him once, and based on the way he rummaged through her family's refrigerator without asking and slept on the couch for the entire visit, she wasn't impressed. But Sandy had stuck with him for four years now, so Kelsey had already told herself to give him another chance.

"I'm so happy for you," Kelsey said, "Really. I guess it was worth saying goodbye to you in Kansas."

Sandy gave a dramatic sigh. "It was so hard trading the cornfields and tornado sirens for white beaches and sunny skies, believe me."

It had taken Sandy approximately two months to fit in with the Californians. It had been like an overnight transformation when she left with brown hair and fair skin, to the picture she'd sent Kelsey with bleached locks and a spray-tan. Ever since she'd taken on the persona of a typical beach-babe for her blog, Sandy's personality had changed as well, though Kelsey had learned to love the new her. There was still the old Sandy in there, the one that used to conduct mud fights and raise tadpoles, but Kelsey knew her ambitions had changed drastically.

Traffic finally wriggled free and soon they were speeding down the road, ocean breeze caressing their skin.

People lined the sidewalks, most of them in yoga pants or v-neck t-shirts. Colorful stores stood behind them with open doors, and a food truck was parked at almost every corner.

Sandy laughed at Kelsey every time she vocalized her shock at the gigantic houses they passed by.

"And despite what you've heard, there isn't a movie star everywhere you look. I think I've only seen three since I've been here," Sandy said.

Kelsey repressed a grin. "Really? You never see any famous people?"

"I mean, you can go hunt them down." Sandy rolled her eyes. "But you're not rubbing elbows with Beyoncé every Tuesday."

"Stanger things have happened," Kelsey murmured amusedly.

As Kelsey gazed out at the passing scenery, she thought of Ethan Glenn. It was strange to think of him living here, shining beneath the spotlight instead of stressing out over a missed flight.

Sandy's convertible suddenly pivoted and turned into the driveway of a cute little house.

It was white with light green shutters and a rounded sunroom on the corner. Yellow flowers bloomed along the walkway and Kelsey thought she might actually die from aesthetic pleasure.

"Oh Sandy," she swooned.

"It's been a work in progress," Sandy admitted, throwing the gear into park and reaching down for her purse. "I bought it from this old New Yorker who'd basically used the house as a beer can storage compartment. But, it was right outside the hub of L.A., and the price wasn't insane, so ta-da!"

"It's incredible," Kelsey said, managing to tear her eyes away to get her luggage.

Once she got inside, five boxes had been stacked at the entrance.

A sigh of relief washed over her. "My stuff made it! Hallelujah."

Kelsey was shown to her room, which was a quaint guest space with a large window on one wall and a floral-printed bed on the other.

She hauled the boxes into the room and began unpacking. Three of the boxes were filled with clothes, random items, and personal things she couldn't live without. The other two were filled with all the cooking supplies she'd received from culinary school. Pots, pans, knives, utensils, cutting boards, cast iron dishes...everything. Maybe she wouldn't need it all at the internship, but still, familiarity was one thing Kelsey craved in her whirlwind of life.

Evening settled over the hills of California, casting an orange glow over Kelsey's room by the time she was finished unpacking. Things were still in disarray, but they were out of their boxes—which was a start.

When she walked into the kitchen, Sandy was sitting at the bar, typing away on her laptop.

"Blogging must pay pretty good," Kelsey quipped, pulling her hair into a messy bun.

Sandy didn't look up, her fingers flying across the keyboard. "When you're a lifestyle blogger and pretend like everything is perfect all the time, people seem to enjoy it."

Kelsey chuckled. "Is that some kind of trend here?"

Sandy finished her sentence and propped her chin up on a finger. "What?"

Kelsey filled her turquoise kettle up with water and placed it on the stove. "Being perfect."

Sandy shrugged with one shoulder. "Maybe we're all striving for the ideal."

"Or maybe you're just pretentious," Kelsey sneered playfully.

"You better watch it; I'll drop you off in the desert and never come back."

"Ha! Not before I make you some mac 'n cheese, you're not."

"Touché," Sandy murmured, leaning back over her laptop.

"Whatcha writing?"

"A blog post about you."

Kelsey hesitated as she pulled down a mug. "Me?"

"Uh-huh. I've got a new roommate! The people need to know."

Kelsey laughed as she poured hot water over two peach tea bags in each mug. "Make sure to mention how Kelsey Harris is not planning on starting a lifestyle blog because she likes to bite her nails, and wears the same outfit for five days straight."

"...five days...straight..." Sandy nodded as she typed.

"No! You're not actually writing that!" Kelsey cried, racing around the corner and glaring at the computer screen.

Sandy burst into a fit of laughter. "I'm kidding! Gosh, chill! Not so secure after all, are we?"

Kelsey stuck out her tongue and walked back to hand Sandy her tea. "How many followers do you have now?"

Sandy scrolled for a minute before saying, "About six-hundred-thousand."

Kelsey exhaled. "For real?"

"And Alex doesn't follow me. Can you believe that?" she mused.

Kelsey frowned. "Why not?"

"He says it's stupid and a waste of time," she rolled her eyes. "But I can pay the bills on this place! I'm making money doing it."

"And you love it," Kelsey added, "That's more than a lot of people can say about their job."

Sandy looked up, thought for a moment, and nodded resolutely. "You're right! It is a job. It's not a hobby like Alex says."

"A proper career woman!" Kelsey exclaimed.

"Darn right!"

Once their laughter had subsided, Kelsey's phone buzzed in her pocket.

She fished it out and saw a text message from an unknown number.

Hello Miss Harris. This is Chef Antonya Romano from Carmichael's Catering Service. We will expect you to be on set in two days and will send you further information tomorrow.

Nervousness coursed through Kelsey's veins. It was real. She'd be starting a new job—a huge job—and she wasn't sure if she was ready. How could a girl from Kansas make it in a place like L.A.?

"You look like you're about to pass out," Sandy muttered into her cup.

Kelsey scanned the message again. "Yeah, I think I might."

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~What do you think of Sandy?

~How will Kelsey's new job work out?

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