"I'm sorry, Miss Frank. But seeing as this is your fifth infraction in the last month alone, I'm afraid we have to let you go."

"B-but Ms. Lee, it w-"

"I don't want to hear the excuses, Lylah." she says sharply, cutting off my weak attempt to keep my job. "If you're going to work at a high class publishing company such as this one, you are expected to be punctual. I cannot just overlook your disregard for our rules."

"Please don't do this, writing is my life..."

"Look Lylah, I like you. I really do. And you are an extremely talented writer." she says, standing up to put a hand on my shoulder and guide me towards the hallway. "But you've made your decisions, and I have made mine." And with that, she closes the door before I can say anything else.



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I sigh as I take small swigs from the bottle in my hand. It was beginning to irritate me since it was my third of the night and I wasn't even tipsy, let alone drunk. Which was very upsetting when I wanted to forget everything at the moment. I've lost probably the best job because of pure stupidity. It wasn't even really a job to me, I had a passion for writing. It was what got me through it when my mom died. There's no better way for me to express my feelings.


'It's your own fault, Lylah. Quit your obsessive partying and drinking and then maybe you'll actually make something of yourself,' the voice in my head constantly repeats. Those thoughts were running through my mind over and over like a broken record, driving me absolutely crazy. As if I could forget.


"Well, isn't this familiar." Someone says from beside me. I turn my head to see Niall sitting on the stool next to mine.

"I'm not drunk this time." I say defensively, causing him to throw his hands up.

"Hey, I was just playing around. Someone's feisty tonight." I just roll my eyes and go back to my drink. He puts his hand on my shoulder and turns me to face him. "Is everything okay? You seem a little bummed."

"Why does it matter? I don't even really know you, so why are you trying so hard to figure me out? Because trust me you won't. Anyone who has ever tried gave up within a few days." I say and immediately regret it when I see hurt flash in his eyes. "Look, I'm sorry. It's just I really don't know you. And I got fired from my job today. I'm just kind of upset."

"It's okay, I'm sorry about your job."

"It's not your fault. If I would quit this," I say, motioning towards my bottle "Then I would still have it. Oh, and I never got to thank you for last night. If you wouldn't have took me with you, I probably would have passed out here."

"Probably." He smiles at me and I playfully shove his shoulder. "Hey, why don't I give you my number. Maybe we can hang out sometime?" He writes something down on a napkin and hands it to me.

"Sounds good. You seem really nice. And all my friends just won't believe that I've been talking to Niall Horan." I say, smirking.

"You're just messing with me."

"Obviously. Besides all of my friends live in the states, so I don't even talk to them anymore."

"Well, we're friends now, yeah?" He asks and I mumble a quick 'I guess' and smile at him. He returns the smile and stands up. "I've got to go. We have a concert later. But I'll see you soon, okay?"

"Of course. Later."


Soon after he leaves, I soon give up my attempts at getting drunk and walk out to my car. I put the key in the ignition and turn on the radio, getting lost in the music as I try not to think about how I was going to pay the rent for food and the rent for my apartment without a job.



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I open to a new page in my journal and begin writing. It was something I did everyday. It calmed my nerves and helped me get out my what I'm feeling. The last time I visited my dad and sister, I had probably filled up six pages in just two days. I still found it hard to be in that house, even after almost two years.

A few minutes after I finished writing, my phone buzzes on it's place on my night stand.


Hey Lylah. Do you want to meet up for coffee with me and Liam tomorrow afternoon. -Niall

Sure, why not. See you then -Lylah


I sit my phone back down and smile. Finally, I had made a friend after a year of being lonely.