THE JOB

Zhoey and Collins spent the entire day searching for job opportunities, their feet aching from walking up and down the busy streets. The sun was relentless, casting sharp shadows on the pavement as the heat pressed down on them. Every time they thought they found a promising lead, it ended in disappointment. Some places weren't hiring, others wanted experience she didn't have, and a few looked her up and down before dismissing her without a second thought. It was exhausting, but Zhoey refused to let it break her.

"This one looks promising," Collins said, pointing at a large hospital with a "Now Hiring!" banner hanging near the entrance.

Zhoey's stomach flipped. A hospital job? That sounded big. Was she even qualified?

"Let's check it out," Collins encouraged.

Inside, the hospital smelled of antiseptic and freshly brewed coffee. The waiting area bustled with patients, nurses, and doctors moving in and out of rooms. At the reception desk, a woman in a navy uniform looked up as they approached.

"Good afternoon. How can I help you?"

Zhoey swallowed and stepped forward. "I saw the hiring sign outside. I'd like to apply."

The receptionist handed her a form. "Please fill this out. We'll also need copies of your identification, proof of qualifications, and a full health screening."

Zhoey's fingers tightened around the paper. "A health screening?"

"It's standard for all employees. Once your documents are verified, you'll need to complete our medical and training procedures before starting."

Collins nudged her. "Sounds fair. You up for it?"

Zhoey nodded, though nerves coiled in her stomach. "Yes. Thank you."

The following week became a blur of paperwork, medical tests, and training sessions. Every morning, she arrived at the hospital before sunrise and left long after the sun had set. The tests were exhausting—blood work, physical exams, and endless forms to fill out. The hospital wanted to ensure their employees were fit for duty, and Zhoey found herself pushing through the process with sheer determination.

At one point, as she sat in yet another waiting room, she glanced at Collins. "You really don't have to stay, you know. Go home, get some rest."

Collins leaned back against the chair, arms crossed. "I'm fine."

Zhoey frowned. "Collins, seriously, you don't have to babysit me."

He smirked. "I'm not babysitting. I'm just making sure you don't run away halfway through."

She rolled her eyes. "I wouldn't run away."

"You looked ready to earlier," he teased.

Zhoey sighed, shaking her head but secretly grateful. Having Collins there made everything easier.

Days later, when she finally received the confirmation that she had gotten the job, relief washed over her. She turned to Collins, her eyes shining.

"I did it! I actually got the job!"

Collins grinned. "Told you so."

Zhoey threw her arms around him, squeezing tightly. "Thank you! You're the best, Collins!"

He chuckled, hugging her back. "I knew you'd get it."

She pulled back, beaming. "And you even helped me get a new phone. Honestly, you're a lifesaver."

Collins smirked. "Careful, Zhoey. What if I have some hidden flaw that makes you hate me someday?"

She scoffed, nudging him. "That's impossible. I could never hate you."

His smirk faded slightly, but he said nothing.

They decided to celebrate by grabbing breakfast at a nearby restaurant. The air smelled of coffee, fresh bread, and spices. They found a cozy corner by the window, ordering steaming plates of food.

Collins glanced outside. "Looks like it's going to rain."

Zhoey sighed. "Yeah, let's eat quickly and head back before it starts pouring."

They ate in comfortable silence for a while, but midway through the meal, Zhoey's expression shifted. She set her fork down and stared at the table, lost in thought.

"Collins?" she said softly.

He looked up. "Yeah?"

She hesitated, then sighed. "How did I end up here?"

Collins frowned. "What do you mean?"

Zhoey's voice wavered. "I don't understand any of this. My life… it feels like a puzzle with missing pieces."

Collins reached for her hand, squeezing it gently. "Everything will be fine, Zhoey."

But she wasn't convinced. Her eyes searched his, desperate for answers. "Tell me the truth, Collins. Have I ever been hated? Has anyone ever called me disgusting?"

Collins hesitated.

Zhoey leaned in, her voice barely above a whisper. "No more half-truths. I need to know."

Before he could respond, she abruptly stood up, knocking her chair back.

"Zhoey, wait—" Collins called after her.

But she was already storming out of the restaurant.

That night, Zhoey sat in a warm bath, steam curling around her. She let her head rest against the edge, trying to sort through the haze in her mind.

Snow globes… snails…

The words felt familiar, but she couldn't place them. A sharp sensation pricked at her mind. A memory—just a fragment—slipped in.

She pressed her fingers against her temple. "What is this…?"

The next morning, Zhoey sat by the window, watching the sunrise. Sleep had been restless. Pieces of her past danced on the edges of her memory, refusing to settle.

Cages. Teachers.

The images were vague, but they were there.

Her fingers curled into the fabric of her shirt.

What was I before all this?

Later, she knocked on Collins' door.

When he opened it, he gave her a small, apologetic smile. "You seem to be remembering everything about yourself."

Zhoey didn't reply. She just nodded and turned away, lost in thought.

Downstairs, chaos had erupted

Kelvin, Jordan, Colton, and Kendrick were fanning themselves, coughing and chugging water. The overpowering scent of excessive seasoning filled the air, making the entire house unbearable.

Kelvin groaned. "I just wanted to experiment! How was I supposed to know adding sugar would do… this?"

Adrian, the only real chef in the house, sighed. "Congratulations. You've created a disaster."

The group scrambled to salvage the food while Zhoey approached Adrian.

"I got the job," she said simply.

Adrian raised an eyebrow. "Oh? That's great. Where at?"

Zhoey smiled. "A big hospital in town. The procedures were insane, but I finally got through it all."

Adrian nodded in approval. "That's amazing. Congrats, Zhoey."

As the sun dipped below the horizon, the doorbell rang. A delivery arrived, and the group gathered around. Kelvin, still recovering from his morning mishap, smirked.

"At least this food is edible."

Laughter rippled through the room.

But Zhoey had something else on her mind. She pulled Kelvin aside and led him to the balcony, away from the others.

Her voice was low, uncertain. "Tell me… how did I end up in this house?"

Kelvin hesitated, then sighed. "You really wanna know?"

Zhoey nodded.

Kelvin told her everything—every detail he could remember. As he spoke, Zhoey's stomach twisted. She had been humiliated. And now, she was just piecing it together.

Then Kelvin mentioned something else.

"Pinky gave you the nickname 'Leaf Girl.'"

Zhoey clenched her jaw.

Taking a deep breath, she looked at Kelvin. "Keep this between us, okay? And… when I get paid, I'll replace that snow globe."

Kelvin studied her for a moment, then nodded. "Deal."

They stood there in silence, the night breeze wrapping around them, both knowing things would never quite be the same.