Job Interview

Getting a call to a job interview is always good news, until it makes you jittery and nauseous enough to throw up. This is exactly what was supposed to happen. However, when ICE Entertainment called, my eyes widened, and I grinned from ear to ear.

Am I supposed to feel anxious? Ugh, I can’t wait! What if I catch a glance of The Rockstar Brigade?! They might even give me their autograph. The sky’s the limit.

“Woohoo!” I shouted, punching one fist in the air.

What do I wear? What should I wear? A cute blazer and pencil skirt ensemble.

“Arisa?” said Kareena.

“Kareena! Kareena.”

I burst out of the room and hugged her tightly.

“Aww, Arisa. I haven’t seen you like this in ages. What’s the great news? Who’s the lucky guy?”

“Kareena! What guy? I got another job interview.”

Although I’m hoping it’s a 2-n-1 situation, where I also get a rockstar boyfriend as a package deal.

“Wait, what? That’s amazing. Good luck, little sis. We’re counting on you.”

I stopped smiling and breathed loudly, with soft puffs of air that flowed easily through my body. After flexing my arm, I put on an apron and began helping Kareena with cooking roast chicken, mashed potatoes, and rice.

A few hours later, an alarm rang on my phone.

Reminder: Hangout with Jennifer and Rimla.

“Kareena, gotta go! I promised my friends I’d be there,” I said.

“Have fun! Don’t go out in that.”

“Yeah, no problem.”

How did I forget that I need to take this messy apron off?!

I changed into a pair of pastel green baggy jeans and a white t-shirt with butterflies screenprinted on it. Then, I pulled my dark hair into a high ponytail and wore a statement beaded necklace. Spraying my glasses clean, I doused myself in peach perfume. My pink handbag had my phone, umbrella, and wallet.

After leaving the building, I boarded the tram and listened to the names of all the stops. The fare was a few pounds no matter which way I went, so it was a blessing when traveling long distances.

Within a matter of seconds, Jennifer and Rimla ran toward me.

“Arisa!” they said in unison.

“Rimla, Jennifer! Long time no see.”

“Arisa, we met last week,” said Rimla.

Jennifer’s grey eyes lit up as she giggled. Her stiff, blonde hair was now cut into a fringe. Her outfit was a purple mini dress. Rimla, on the other hand, had red-tinted black hair and olive skin. Her denim vest matched her jeans.

“Well, where to?” asked Jennifer.

“The shopping centre!” said Rimla.

“Sure. They have good bracelets, last time I checked.”

I always wanted to get a friendship bracelet, but never got one. I gave away plenty, though.

“What if we got matching ones?” I asked.

“Great idea!” said Jennifer.

“Good thinking.”

“Yeah, I thought so.”

We walked through the automatic glass doors, and the two of them immediately ran toward the accessories shop.

“Guys, wait up!” I said.

The two of them walked back and dragged me inside the store. It’s not like I didn’t want to go; it’s just that I wasn’t fast enough for them.

“Guys, guys, slow down.”

I giggled in mirth. I had known them for two years, and they haven’t changed one bit since then.

We looked through the charm bracelets, beaded ones… and the whole store, but couldn’t find anything we actually liked.

“Too expensive,” said Jennifer, placing it down.

“Too tacky. Just look at those neon green camo hearts,” said Rimla, shuddering.

“This is cute!” I said, holding one with metal ribbons and hearts.

We asked for two more pieces, but they were sold out.

“I’m not going to get it if you two don’t,” said Rimla.

“Same here,” said Jennifer.

Oh. That means I can’t get it either. Bummer.

“Ah, well,” I said.

So, we stomped out of the store with our gaze to the floor. There were potted plants scattered about, and the mannequins had no facial features, as their poses looked out of this world. They looked more like aliens trying to imitate humans. The trickling of water was soothing as the clear blue fountain sprayed from one edge to the other. As we walked toward it, we found a lot of pennies.

“Well, girls. Have you heard the latest brigade album?” I asked.

“Huh? No. I stopped following them a long time ago,” said Jennifer.

“I only ever listened to their hits,” said Rimla.

“Oh.”

“Yeah, too mainstream. Good, but nothing amazing,” said Rimla.

Anyone can have an opinion, so why do I feel like yelling at them about how wrong they are?

“What about you, Arisa?” asked Jennifer.

“Yeah, I remember you were a big fan! Don’t you have a whole stack of photo-cards?” said Rimla.

I said nothing, tucked my hair behind my ear, and grasped onto my arm.

“I think that’s cool,” said Jennifer.

“Oh, you do?” I asked, blinking several times.

“Yeah!” said Rimla.

“Oh. Speaking of The Rockstar Brigade, I just got another job interview!”

“Really? Congrats!”

“Yes! Congratulations.”

The two of them made eye contact with each other.

“But Arisa, what does this have to do with The Rockstar Brigade?” asked Jennifer.

“Yeah. Well, the interview is for a content creator role at ICE.”

“Ice?”

“Ice cream company?” asked Rimla.

“No, silly! The entertainment company, which has a contract with The Rockstar Brigade and several other music groups.”

“No way! That’s amazing.”

“Thank you,” I said.

The next few hours were spent having ice cream, window shopping, and finally, buying three matching pairs of star earrings. Mine was pink, Jennifer’s was purple, and Rimla’s was pale blue.

The two of them wished me good luck over and over again at the tram stop as I waved goodbye.

They are a good pair of friends. I hope I’ll deserve them someday.

A few raindrops trickled down the sides of the window. Soon, the tram was covered in splashes of rain as they covered the view of the outside world.

Nature seems to fog my vision of reality. Could it be that my view of life is also hidden from my gaze? I still feel like I know nothing about myself, the people around me, and the distant world.

As soon as my stop arrived, I pressed the button to open the door. It jut open, and I opened my umbrella before walking home.

In the middle of walking amongst the construction workers, a few people with children, and a bunch of teenagers who were all wearing raincoats, I checked my phone.

Interview with ICE. 22nd of March at 9:30 AM. Don’t miss it, and good luck!

It was a note to myself, although it certainly read as if it were a text from Kareena. I took in a few deep breaths.

Kareena, if only I could be more like you. Working day and night, never yelling unless it is absolutely required, and always calm.

Me? I only work or study when asked to. Sometimes I do lose my cool, but I try not to show it. Anyway, I hope I get a job somewhere. Come to think of it, I don’t need a rockstar; I just want a boyfriend. Almost anyone will do.

I went up the lift and pressed the doorbell. We had lunch together, and Kareena kept giving me tricks to ace any interview; she asked me to review the company website and prepare questions for them in advance.

“I’ll memorize the website if I have to, but what questions could I possibly ask?” I said.

“I’ll help you figure them out!” proclaimed Kareena.

The rest of the days passed by while attending exams, preparing for the interviews, and scrapbooking using an old diary, magazine clippings, and a pen.

It was the morning of the interview at ICE. I grabbed a printout of my CV, a pen, and wore my best formal outfit, which was a pink blazer, a white shirt, and grey pants. I tied my hair into a tight, high ponytail (as usual) and earrings with a matching necklace.

By the time I had arrived, which was 20 minutes before the interview, the place was packed like sardines in a tin. As I waited for an hour, I seriously thought that I was mistaken and that they wouldn’t give me a chance.

The interior of the building was modern in some ways, with sleek furniture and large TV screens showcasing each of their musical performers.

My heart stopped for a second as I could have sworn I had seen Isaac Stone from The Rockstar Brigade a yard away from me.

Alas, I looked again, and it was just a cutout of him.

I should have known.

“Arisa Roy!” someone yelled.

“Yes, coming!”

I’ve done quite a few interviews by now. I should be alright. I can do this.

After entering, greeting them, and shaking hands, they asked me to sit down. The staff were all dressed in a similar style to mine.

“So, Ms. Roy, where did you hear about the job opening?”

“From a video-sharing site. As soon as I heard about it, I felt I’d be a great fit since I have experience regarding this. I’m well acquainted with your music and artists, and I have been constantly creating content for years.”

“That’s good. So… we saw your videos on styling and shopping. But how will you apply it to our company? We aren’t fashion stylists, are we?”

“You see, I’m a very versatile person, given that I’m already familiar with the type of content your team needs. I can easily replicate trends and also create original spins that will garner views. If we maintain a posting schedule, I’m sure…”

“Ms. Roy, this isn’t a personal account. A lot of our brand depends on this aspect of videography. How can we ensure that you will follow our brand guidelines?” said one.

“Simple. I’ll study the brand image as much as it is possible. Even though I have a clear image, I can make it sharper with hard work,” I said.

“Very well…”

The interview continued for quite some time. They soon asked me to leave and told me they’d contact me within a week or so if I got the job.

However, two weeks passed by as I kept refreshing my phone.