Their conversations usually aren’t very deep…
hey, Skye
quick question
where are you right now?
omw to an interview
oh, nice!
which company?
some marketing agency downtown
a small one
not really my dream job but
atp, i'll take what i can get tbh
from what i can tell, you're definitely dressed the part
i'm sure you'll do fine
you think?
i feel like i'm faking tbh
that's what interviews are in the end
most everyone's faking confidence until they figure things out
i guess
how's the search been going overall?
exhausting tbh
i've been applying everywhere
full-time, part-time
remote and on-site
i've even had a couple interviews
but no follow-ups
no offers
just more radio silence
believe it or not
i've been there too
really?
definitely
fresh out of college, i thought i'd land something right away
instead, i sent out applications and got nothing back for weeks
when i did get interviews, they ghosted me afterwards
fr?
yeah
it wasn't instant for me either
i had to keep pushing through the silence until someone finally gave me a shot
huh...
so it's not just me
not at all
again, the process is part of it too, not just you
that's easy for you to say now
true
but i promise, you'll look back on this stretch one day and laugh at how anxious you were
i'll believe that when i'm there
fair enough
you've got the drive though
that's what matters
thanks
i needed to hear that
anytime
okay
i'm almost there
i should prob stop texting before my driver thinks i'm spiraling
haha, good luck!
just be yourself
the "myself" that's desperate for a paycheck, sure
hey
confidence!
even if you are faking it
right
fake it til i make it
exactly
okay, i'll text you afte
wish me luck
good luck, Skye
you've got this!
…but with both of them getting comfortable, it doesn't take long for them to start talking about more personal things.
have you eaten yet?
yeah
i just finished
instant noodles
but gourmet style
oooh, fancy
you're setting the bar too high for the rest of us
please
you and mom are out eating real food half the time
fair
so...
how's the job hunting looking today?
honestly?
not much different
still no callbacks?
i've had some interviews
but after that?
nothing
it's like they decided i'm not worth following up on
i get how that feels, but don't let it get to you
you've got the skills
it's just that the market is brutal lately
i keep telling myself that
but after weeks of hearing nothing?
it's hard not to think that maybe i'm the problem
trust me, Skye
it's definitely not you
i remember right after college, i must've sent out 50 resumés before i even got one serious response
and while things might have changed since
i think most of the time
it's still about timing
not talent
yeah
but it doesn't feel like that when not only is every email a rejection
but the silence too
i know
but the silence isn't proof that you're not good enough
it's just
between this and the breakup
it's getting harder to think i'm worthy of achieving anything
like maybe i'm not cut out for stability
or success
or any of that
hey
don't do that to yourself
a failed relationship and slow job application replies don't erase your worth
easy for you to say
no
listen
you're smart
not to mention thoughtful
the fact that you're still pushing forward when it feels impossible
that says a lot about who you are
i mean it
you're more capable than even you realize
the right people in the right place will see it
thanks, Liam
anytime, Skye
and hey
if it helps
i'll keep reminding you until it sticks
i'll probably roll my eyes every time though
that's fine
i can handle eye-rolling
careful
i've perfected the art
well
knowing you're reacting
then i'll take it as proof you're listening at least
you're relentless, huh?
only when it's worth it
And after a while…
hey
how's the new living arrangement going?
are you surviving at least??
barely lol
things with mom are still the same
conversations are still short
she's still distant
she keeps herself busy with work
shocking lol
what about your stepdad tho?
have you actually talked to him yet?
yeah
more than expected, actually
tbh he's not what i thought he would be
wdym?
remember how i told you i figured he'd be super stiff, all formal, etc.?
uh huh...
he's actually pretty warm
he just doesn't show or say much when we're talking face to face
ooohhh
one of THOSE types
soft on the inside but all quiet on the outside?
exactly
like one night, he noticed i was kinda down during dinner
he didn't make a big deal of it
but he checked in with me later
it was subtle
but it mattered to me
that's a relief
imagine if he was just like your mom
you'd be miserable 24/7
ugh i know
one is enough
so you're saying he's growing on you?
yeah
i guess he is
didn't see that coming
that's a good sign though
at least one person in the house feels safe for you to talk to
it helps for sure
current mood:
resigned
but not suffering lol
lmaooo
looks like you're really settling in there
not even close
but well
i guess at least my stepdad makes me feel welcome here
glad stepdad's not a total robot
same
makes things feel a little less heavy on my shoulders
you'll get through this, girl
soon, i hope
…it doesn't take long for Skye to start confiding in Liam more.
hey, do you have a minute?
yeah, i'm home
everything okay?
i'm at the park
needed to get out for a while
by yourself?
yeah
i'm just sitting
thinking
penny for your thoughts?
i just feel like i'm running in circles
i keep going through the process
sending out applications
going through interviews
then nothing
tbh it's just
really exhausting now
i can imagine
that kind of waiting wears you down
it really makes me question myself
like maybe i don't have what people are looking for after all
well
i for one don't buy that
it just means you haven't found the right place yet
luck is a skill too, you know
easy for you to say
you've already figured your path out
you'd be surprised
i got turned down more times than i can count
there were weeks i thought i'd never land anywhere solid
really?
you don't seem like someone who's ever had trouble finding work
that's because you've only seen where i ended up
the present me
you didn't see where i started
hearing that actually helps
good
because you need to hear it
none of whatever you're going through now means you're failing
it just means the timing's not right yet
i hope you're right
some days, it just feels hopeless
then on those days
let someone remind you it's not
guess that's you right now
more than glad to fill that role
i'll be here anytime you need