Just a temporary job by GayGayButch on DeviantArt (original) (raw)

“Melissa!” Ashley called out, waving her over. “Guess what? I got my first paycheck today!”

Melissa smiled, approaching the counter. “That’s awesome, Ashley! How are you liking the job?”

“It’s great for now,” Ashley replied, her enthusiasm bubbling over. “But this is just a temporary thing, y'know? I’ve got big plans, I'm gonna finish up college, move out of my parents' place and become a big time professional photographer, you know that was always my dream.”

Melissa nodded, encouraged by Ashley’s optimism. “I believe in you. You’ve always had such talent.”

7 years later

Seven years passed in the blink of an eye. Melissa, now a successful lawyer, walked into the same restaurant, though it had been rebranded. She ordered her meal, lost in thought, when a familiar but weary voice brought her back to the present.

“Melissa?”

Melissa looked up, almost not recognizing the woman behind the counter. Ashley stood there, but she was a shadow of her former self. The once vibrant, lively and gorgeous girl had become an obese, bloated, burnt out mess.

“Ashley?” Melissa asked, trying to hide her shock. “Is that you, girl? I almost didn't recognize you, what are you doing here?”

"Well, I..." Ashley seemed to struggle to come up with a non-embarrassing way of saying it. "After my 2nd pregnancy... things just got so much harder than before. I've tried to leave this place, but no one is interested in my photographs... I mean, what is there to photograph in this town anyway? I need the money so I came back. What about you?"

"Well... actually, I work as a corporate lawyer in LA..." As much as she tried, Melissa couldn't hide the cockiness in her tone, she was a big deal. "We just won a big case in the billions, I'm sure you've heard of it on the news." Said Melissa, knowing full well Ashley very likely hadn't.

"Lately I can't hear a damn thing over the sounds of my youngest crying. I mostly watch TLC and that kind of thing.. oh, have you seen the new Love Island?" Melissa almost couldn't contain an eye roll at the sound of such a cringey question.

"No.. no, I haven't been able to watch much of anything, to be honest. Too much work". "Same" replied Ashley, the two shared a long awkward pause before Melissa got her order and said goodbye.