Beautiful Mistakes

Why didn't any of that matter? Why didn't snuggling on the couch matter? Making love in the guest room? Homemade dinner and searching for Anna's lost puppy—why were these only important –or even relevant—in Julie's mind?

Thinking favorably of Matt was never going to get her anywhere, she had finally decided when she saw the light peeking in through the window, and then she had finally allowed herself to close her eyes and go back to sleep.

She didn't realize she was frowning at the pair of socks in her hand until she felt a pair of eyes on her and she looked down to see a little boy looking up at her, his eyebrows raised like she was quite insane as she glared at the socks as if they had impregnated and abandoned her.

"Not my color," she murmured, forcing herself to let up the death grip on the socks she hadn't even realized she was holding.

"My mom says black goes with anything," the boy stated.

Glancing back at the socks, she noticed they were, indeed, black socks.

"Right," she said, deciding just to walk away before she started trying to take her frustrations out on belts next.

Her cell phone started ringing then, and she picked it up, half dreading that she would see Matt or Emma's number. Frowning, she realized it was a friend from school.

"Hello?" she answered.

"Hey," answered the girl's low voice. "What are you doing?"

"Um, scaring children at Old Navy," Julie answered, glancing over her shoulder at the little boy as she forced a smile and walked out the doors of the building.

"Neat," the girl responded. "Well, listen, remember you said you were looking for a job?"

"Yes," Julie said brightly.

"Did you leave school already?"

"Yeah, exams are over for me."

"Well, I saw this flyer hanging up and it says, 'Are you artistic? Do you enjoy working with kids? Are you a naturally outgoing and friendly person? Want to have fun and get paid for it? Then we've got the job for you!'" she said with false enthusiasm.

/> "Ugh, Susan, just spit it out."

"All right, all right," the girl said, her voice flat again. “I know you were always doodling in your planner, so I grabbed it. It's a weekends only job, but hey, it's something, and I thought you could call, check it out, see what it's about."

"That would be amazing," Julie said. "What's the number?"

"You'll never remember it, let me hang up and I'll text it to you."

"Genius. Awesome. Thank you so much for saving my ass."

"Eh, consider it me paying you back for that time I skipped and not only did you take kick-ass notes for me, but you lied to the professor too."

"You're amazing. I hope we have classes together next semester."

"Me too, if not we'll have to hang out sometime."

"Are you going home for the break?" Julie asked.

"Yep, back to the lovely state of Indiana. Go me!"

Julie laughed at her friend's dry enthusiasm. "All right, well thanks again, you're saving my life here."

"Well, if I ever get knocked up by some married jerkhole, I will be expecting you to assist me," Susan stated.

"Done."

"Bye, Julie. Hope the job works out. Have a nice break."