I speed-walked to my house and fumbled for my keys. I put the key inside of the lock and walked in the door. The lights were off in the downstairs foyer. Huh, that's weird. I figured Mimi would've beat me home by now. 

I kick off my wedges (noticing that I had managed to chip my toenail polish so, that's great). I grab my wedges off the floor and start to walk up the stairs to our apartment. 

This house is a three family home that was converted into, like, an apartment style building. Usually, during the school season, this place is rented out to teens who go to college on the mainland. But, now, it's tourist season. Ain't nobody here other than richy rich tourist types, richy rich local types, richy rich vacation home types, and Mimi, a Korean-American-girl-who-would-rather-die-than-move-back-in-with-her-parents type. Oh, and me. A too-sexy-to-be-here type. 

I get to our apartment door, put my key into the lock, and step into my home. Mimi still wasn't home after all because all the lights were off. That's a bummer. I figured I'd get a "Aced Your First Interview" lunch or something. Can I even call whatever happened today an interview? I'm gonna call it one just in case. Not like I'm going to experience anything like an interview ever again. 

Ugh. The thoughts of interviews and jobs and capitalism remind me of the fact that I have to wake up tomorrow at, like, 6 AM, and start this all over again. I flop down on Mimi's beat up couch. I'm pre-exhausted. I'm post-annoyed. And I'm now-bored.

I lean my head back, and look at the ceiling. I wonder what Mom and Dad are up to. Oh! That's it. I'll call them. Time to let them know what a great job I'm doing over here. 

I pick up Mimi's home phone's receiver. The receiver has a fuzzy orange cover on it. I will have to remind myself to host a family meeting about the importance of non-tacky home decor. 

I dial Dad's number. I look at the clock on the cable box. It's 5 PM. He must be in his study somewhere. Thinking about numbers or how much he doesn't love his daughter. You know. Dad stuff. 

The line rings three times. I realize now I'm holding my breath. You know what else I realize? I don't have anything of substance to say! What do I say? That I got a convenience store job at the big age of 19? A job my friend Mimi had to hook me up with? My friend Mimi, you know, the biomedical engineering major who is going to college, the place I'm not going? That I made a new friend, kinda sorta? That I-

"Talk to me," the voice of my father, Donald Vega, filled my head.

"I MADE A NEW FRIEND!", I yelled into the receiver. I smacked my forehead with my open palm. Hard.

"Hu-"

"DAD! Hey! Long time no speak! It's me. Honey," I speak into the phone. I realize now that I'm sitting straighter. I slouch defiantly. 

"Honey! Oh! Hold on, let me get your mother!", I hear my dad say. 

I hear a distant "Veronica!", as if he's holding his hand over the phone and calling out to somewhere in front of him. Someone. My mom. I hear shuffling and a muttered "Honey".

"Hey Honey, I'm back. I'm putting you on speaker okay?"

Before I could say anything, I hear the voice of my mom, cheery and upbeat. But tighter... did she get new fillers?

"Honey! Princess! How are you doing over there? You haven't called since your flight landed!", my mom says. She sounded kind of worried. That's.. nice to hear. 

"Mom! Hey! I'm doing okay. And yeah, I've been a bit busy. You know, getting work and whatnot", I lean into the couch, putting my feet up on Mimi's coffee table, right on her copy of Utilitarianism and my copy of Vogue. Oh, the metaphorical resonances. 

"Work???", I hear my parents say in unison. 

"Yeah, work! Had my first interview today and I mean, don't wanna toot my own horn... think I nailed it."

"Oh, Honey, that's marvelous! See, look, Do-"

My mother was about to start gushing when she is immediately cut off by my father. 

"Where is it?"

"Hu-What?"

"Your job. Where are you working?"

"Oh, you know. Mimi helped me score a job with one of her lab partners," I danced around the topic.

"Oh! A lab! Donnie! Honey is working for a lab!"

I swallow. Oh no. Think Vega. Say something.

"YUP! A whole ass lab!" Oh my god.

"Language, dear. Oh, that's fantastic. You know, I had my doubts about you going off to live with your little friend. But,I thought you were just trying to get out of your responsibilities again, dodging your future", my mom begins.

I wince. Yeah, that sounds like me. 

"But, I see now that you're starting to take this seriously. I didn't think you'd get a job so soon! And in a lab! Oh, who knows, maybe you might take a few... Oh I don't know, Science classes! And, you're networking! Keep this up and who knows where you'll be!"

I blink. I get this really hot feeling around my nose and eyes. My cheeks get super hot. My lip sticks out a little and starts to shake. My vision gets blurry. I'm tearing up. I swallow the lump that is forming in the back of my throat.

"Th-thanks, Mom! I told you this would be a breeze! I'm fine on my own!"

"Hm... Honey," my father speaks up. 

"Yeah, Dad?"

"This is a step in the right direction, and I'm happy you're taking this seriously and not lounging around on Jang-mi's futon or what have you", my father says, his voice slow and steady. 

I take my feet off of Mimi's coffee table. I'm sitting straight again. 

"But, do not forget, you have a long way to go before I begin to trust you. You've made your share of mistakes. Choosing not to go to college is one of them. And I know you have had this fantasy that you will inherit my place as company chairman... But, I promise you that that will never happen unless you wise up."

I gulp. No one knows how to scalp you like my dad. 

"That being said, however, I would just like to say that I am very proud that you're at least trying to learn some responsibility and are now taking agency over your life. Be sure to call more often, angel", my father says, I can hear the smile in his voice.

"Of course, you guys. I'll give you guys updates whenever I can!"

"Great sweetie! Be sure to tell us all about the lab work! Have a wonderful day, princess! We love you," my mother says. 

The lab work. It appears that I got so caught up in the idea that my parents might one day be proud of me that I forgot my gigantic lie! OOPS.

"We do love you. And remember what I said, Honey. You have a long way to go," my dad says coolly into the phone. 

"Er-Right. Right... I love you, too"

Click! The phone goes silent. The dial tone buzzes in my ear. I take a deep breath, and go to move hang up the phone. 

You really went and did it now, Vega.