"Lily!"

The front door closes with a loud bang, and the apartment shudders for a bit. I am still surprised we haven't had any complaints from our neighbours yet.

"Lily!" Shouts Eva again, this time from the kitchen, where she is probably dumping all her stuff at the moment.

I take no effort to respond. I keep myself curled in my blanket, refreshing my mail on my glass ball every few seconds.

Still nothing.

"How is the job hunt going?" Eva asks, walking into the living room where I am sitting.

I finally look up, my tired eyes now focused on the young woman taking a seat next to me. 

"Splendid" I simply say, no intonation or emotion added. Yet it conveys every inch of my annoyance, impatience, and disappointment I feel right now.

Eva looks pained by my answer.

"This came in the mail as well" she tells me as she hands over a black envelope, sealed with gold wax. Mail from the government. Probably something about taxes".

I sigh deeply.

"Just add it to the pile".

She just nods. 

My glass ball starts lighting up, bleeping. A new message!

Quickly I open my mail again, but disappointment quickly overtakes me. I sink deeper in my blanket.

It's another scam mail, asking me to invest in some faraway dragon who has a stash in a mountain. Filled to the brim with spelling errors, and probably viruses to corrupt my glass ball as well. I delete it immediately.

"Have you considered doing some odd jobs in the meantime? Like, I don't know. The bakery nearby is still looking for a deliverer". Eve's eyes soften on me, almost in pity. I can't really blame her for the state I am in right now.

"I am not gonna be some delivery girl while I had to study hard to become a witch with respectable credits! That one little witch did that after her studies does not mean all of us will".

"Well, you are residing in the human realm right now. And you are not bringing in much of our shared rent". 

I give her a glare.

"Sorry I don't have an income right after I graduated college! I would've loved to pay everything, was it not for the fact that those internships only paid in 'experience'".

"Damn, even the magic realm doesn't have their shit together".

I can't help but chuckle at her remark.

"Why do you think I decided to live here right now?"

"Oh I don't know," Eva looks betrayed, but there is still a playful spark in her eyes. "Because you love your human girlfriend very much". 

"That too, of course" I answer, blowing her a kiss. She huffs in response, but I can see the little smile creeping in the corners of her mouth.

I want to continue our little banter, but it is harshly interrupted by the ringing of Eva's phone. She looks at the screen of it, and let's out a heavy, annoyed sigh.

"Ugh, it's Adam"

My face immediately cringes in response. 

"Ew, what does that fucktruck want now?" 

"How am I supposed to know?".

She picks up. Before I can even attempt to ask her why she picked up, she shushes me. I cross my arms, folding my blanket closer to me.

"What?" she opens with. At least she gives him the proper opening he deserves.

"Yes, Lilith is here". 

She has this costumer service voice, one that has been dead inside for years.

"I'll tell her".

She wants to hang up, but apparently Adam is not done rambling yet. Probably about himself and how great he is.

"No, I won't. Bye". She hangs up, pinching the bridge of her nose to recollect herself. I look at her expectantly.

"He wanted to let you know that he got that job as magistrate in that town near college". 

I immediatly roll my eyes.

"Oh great. He has to rub it in he is still the better student".

"Actually, he also said they still have another opening in town hall. One he applied for but got apparently denied. He said you should apply".

I frown a little, but won't think too hard about his sudden consideration. I do try to remember for any job applications at town hall and whether I applied for them. I do recall two job openings indeed. I applied to them a few weeks back, but haven't heard anything yet. 

And this is what I say to Eva as well. 

"They could be still working through all the applications"

"I doubt it".

*
*
*

"And here she was on her first day of school! Oh she was so excited to start to learn magic" my mum shows Eva for the trillionth time my childhood pictures.

We decided to visit my mum. She had been complaining she felt lonely. I am pretty sure she is also trying to have me reconsider dating a human.

I am not paying too much attention to the two. My mind is still flooded with rejections and possible life choices. Because I have studies hard, excelled in different kinds of magic. Was one of the organisers for an exchange program with humans. That is how I met Eva. But now? What was all that for?

Nobody seems to want me, and I am not quite sure what I want to do with my life.

My mini glass ball shines bright light, and lets out a little ping. I quickly check what the notification is, but as I start to read it, tears well up in my eyes.

Dearest Lillith,

Thank you for your interest in the position of Magical Law Enforcement at Idono govermence. We regret to inform you that we have to decline your application.

We hope you may find what you search.

Kind Regards,

Justanam from Idono governmence

~~~~
Words 970 (Mobile app)