Chapter 15 – A Fateful Encounter

Nearly a year had passed since Ella lost her previous job. The days of searching, struggling, and going to bed exhausted had become her norm. But finally, after months of rejection, she found a part-time job as a dishwasher at a small restaurant. It wasn't much, but it was something.

She didn't tell her friends.

Not because she was ashamed, but because she knew how they would react. Ava would worry too much. Ryan would make a joke out of it to lighten the mood, but deep down, he'd feel bad. And Liam… well, she still didn't know how to feel about him.

So she kept quiet.

Each day, she woke up early to help her mom in the bakery, then rushed to the restaurant for her shift. She spent hours scrubbing plates, glasses, and greasy pots. By the time she got home, her arms ached, her feet throbbed, and exhaustion clung to her like a second skin.

But she endured.

Her father had traveled to another town for a three-day contract job, and Ella made sure to take on more responsibility at home, helping her mother with deliveries and her younger sister with schoolwork.

One evening, as she was walking home from work, wiping the sweat from her forehead, she heard familiar voices.

Laughter.

Her heart skipped a beat.

She turned and saw Ava, Liam, and Ryan walking down the road, looking carefree and happy.

Ella panicked.

Her uniform was stained with dishwater, and she had a faint smell of detergent clinging to her clothes. She wasn't ready to explain. She wasn't ready for their pity.

Quickly, she stepped into a narrow alleyway, pressing her back against the wall, hoping they would pass without noticing.

But luck was not on her side.

"Ella?"

Ava's voice was sharp, surprised.

Ella squeezed her eyes shut. Busted.

Taking a deep breath, she stepped out of hiding, putting on a small smile. "Hey."

Ryan's brows furrowed. "Why were you creeping in the shadows? You look like you were about to rob someone."

Ella rolled her eyes. "I wasn't creeping. I just… didn't expect to see you guys."

Ava stepped closer, her gaze scanning Ella's tired face and the uniform she was wearing. "Where are you coming from?"

Ella hesitated. "Work."

Ava's face lit up. "Wait—you got a job?"

Ryan grinned. "That's great! Where?"

Ella shuffled her feet. "Um… it's just a small restaurant. Nothing special."

Liam, who had been quiet, finally spoke. "What do you do there?"

Ella sighed, knowing she couldn't avoid it. "I'm a dishwasher."

Silence.

Ava and Ryan's smiles faltered, their eyes flickering with emotions Ella couldn't quite place. Liam, as usual, remained unreadable.

For a moment, she felt the weight of embarrassment settle in her stomach. But before she could say anything, Ava suddenly grinned.

"Well, at least you're getting paid, right?"

Ryan nodded quickly. "Yeah! You're making money while I'm just spending mine on stupid things."

Ella blinked. That was not the reaction she expected. "You guys aren't… disappointed?"

Ryan scoffed. "Disappointed? Ella, do you know how many rich kids wouldn't survive a day in your shoes? You're actually working for your future. That's pretty badass."

Ava nudged Ella playfully. "I mean, we might have been surprised for a second, but honestly? We're proud of you."

Ella felt a knot in her chest loosen.

Liam tilted his head. "Why didn't you tell us?"

Ella looked away. "I didn't want you guys to worry. And… I guess I didn't want to see pity in your eyes."

Ava linked arms with her. "No pity, babe. Just respect."

Ryan slung an arm around both of them. "Exactly! Now, enough about work. We've been trying to reach you all day. We wanted to hang out."

Ella winced. "Sorry, I've been really busy."

"Yeah, we figured," Ava said. "That's why we decided to hunt you down instead."

Ella chuckled. "Well, you found me."

Ryan grinned. "And now that we have, you're coming with us. No arguments."

Ella hesitated. She was exhausted, but looking at her friends, she realized how much she had missed them.

"Fine," she said, shaking her head. "But if I fall asleep, don't blame me."

Ava laughed. "Deal."

As they walked together, Ella felt something she hadn't felt in a long time.

Relief.

Maybe life wasn't perfect, but at least she wasn't alone.

To Be Continued...