need someone who can... un

who could make their job easier, a local, not a foreign student like me who struggled to understand the langua

the kind woman. "Все

You don't have to look at me

second but then gave me an apol

it? She could've reconsidered.

. Unfortunately, it seemed fate had other plans, and I found myself dealing with the bitter taste of rejection on

th my proficiency in French or my knack for making a mean batch of pancakes. It was

nd freezing me to the core. My teeth chattered as I futilely blew on my hands, hoping to coax some warmth into the

without an extra layer, or te

aken a toll on me. From embarrassing myself in the class, spending five hours in the library, hu

naturally. Subconsciously I reminded myself to get

**

?" Alina asked when I slump

s is considered good, then I'm feeling fucking marvellous." I didn't feel like eating anymore. I had lost a

my offer though," I scoffed at h

try a pet shop next? At least they'd accept me, since I speak animal language sometimes. Or maybe I could become a professiona

wards me with a mischievous grin. "You just have to dress pretty and s

use I totally have the grace of a swan an

ertainment. Watch me trip over my own feet and still so

d. Alina just shrugged and turned to her other friend, chatting

ife was a joke anyway. Or I could try mime-how hard can it be to pretend you were

mn thi

ng a pair of oversized round glasses and newspaper under her armpit. Sudd

ently being held together by a few pieces of duct

glasses fixed' to the n

into a fog of morning weariness. But then, like a beacon in the sea of newsprint, o

the newspaper, my eyes narrowing in on the mysterious word

тся со

oyee

ned her towards me, her confusion mirrored in her expression as I shoved the paper into her face and pointed anxiously at the word. M

demanded with urgency fee

ck!" Alina's eyes widened as she abruptly s

ing through my veins. Ten thousand dollars? My eyebrows shot u

...Черт возьми, дорогая, переведи на русский,!" Her Russian was taking over her English as she jumped up and down, clearly more excited than me. I half-expected h

there, still tryi

information. If I managed to snag this job, I'd be thanking every deity in existence daily, offering sacrifice

th my hand on my waist, my heart pounding like a jackhammer in my chest. Come on, pick

I swallo

of Russian. Taking a deep breath, I tried again, my tone dripping with politeness. "Привет, это Кайл Молотов? Hi.. um... Пр

vertisement in the newspaper and wanted

te. "Я отправляю вам адрес, мы мо

ddress, and we can m

nearly dropping it, and then the call cut off. I stared at the phone, my heart racing. A wide grin spread across my lips

s long as I get

! I shou

Then came the jacket, but damn these rebellious strands of hair! Sticking out in every direction lik

n I grabbed my bag and lip

**