Pov y/n

Jesse nudges my shoulder, bringing me back to reality. The smirk on his face tells me he won't let it be and I'm right.

"Were you thinking about her?" He asks, emphasizing the word 'her', implying he knows which woman is the main source of my thoughts right now.

I blush a little and wave it off but he doesn't let it go, wanting to hear everything.

"Was it the one who came in here yesterday with her daughter? The one you ended up sitting next to?" He asks and wiggles his eyebrows. My face heats up again, which is answer enough for him.

"Did you do anything after you joined her at that table?" He asks and leans against the counter, his eyes sparkling with excitement.

I chuckle a little at his reaction but smile, it feels nice to have someone being interested in your life.

"We stayed a little longer and I drew with her daughter. After that we went to the park. First to the playground and then to the lake. We talked and I played with her daughter. When we left the park, it was already getting a little late and she said they will go home now because her daughter will get tired and fuzzy soon. So, we said good-bye and parted ways." I shrug it off but Jesse's eyes grew with each piece of information. He almost squeals in excitement.

"That was an unofficial date!" He states but before he can say anything else, I point towards the door where new customers walk through.

He gives me a look that tells me that this talk isn't over yet and turns around to the customers. While he serves them, I clean some tables and think about his words.

Was yesterday a date?

I mean, I didn't see it as one. We were just casually spending some time together.

Besides, for a date there need to be some kind of feelings on both sides, in the best case. And I'm not sure that was the case yesterday and to top it off, her daughter was with us, that pretty much declines it from being a date.

Also, why would a woman like her go on a date with me? She could literally have anybody.

I shake my head and return back to the counter where Jesse waits for me.

"It wasn't a date, no matter if official or not. We were just hanging around and before you say something, her daughter was with us, so..." I argue and he taps his chin in thought.

"Hanging around can be seen as a date though. But the point with her daughter is fair. I mean, you can also have a date with your kid around but that's uncommon. Okay, fair enough I guess. But the most important question is: did something happen?" He asks and smirks. I roll my eyes at him but smile.

"Nothing. Apart from talking, we didn't do anything." I tell him, trying to hide the slight disappointment over it, now that I'm thinking about it.

Rose hugged me when we said goodbye but that's it. Scarlett and I only smiled at each other and said goodbye.

I wouldn't have minded it when she would have hugged me as well but first, I want her to be comfortable with that and second, I might would have had a gay panic then and I don't need to embarrass myself in front of her.

So maybe, it's not that bad after all.

Jesse nods in thought. "But would you want it to be more?" He asks, looking at me.

I shrug. "I don't know. I mean, hugging each other after knowing someone for not even a week seems a little...rushed?" I try to explain my feelings. Jesse nods first but then shakes his head.

"That's not quite what I meant. Of course, being comfortable with physical touch takes time but I mean, do you want, whatever it is between you two, to be more?" He specifies his question and I chew on my lip, thinking about his question.

Do I want to be more to Scarlett than an acquaintance? Yes, I do but what kind of more? Do I want to be her friend? Well, yes I would like that, she seems great as a friend. But is that all I want?

My mind spins with this question and I sigh silently, which makes Jesse nod, understanding that I need to figure this out myself first.

But can I figure it out this quick? I mean, I met her like a few days ago, maybe a week and we only saw each other once since then, isn't it a little too early to analyze my feelings?

I take a deep breath and push those thoughts away, concentrating back on my job.

When my shift is over, I step out of the shop and without thinking about it, I make my way over to the park. I visited it everyday after work and my legs just carry me there without me having to think about it.

When I reach the lake, I remember my conversation with Scarlett yesterday about looking for a job at the aquarium. Maybe that's not a bad idea, I do like to be around fish and having a job that deals with something I'm passionate about sounds really good.

I pull out my phone and look up where the aquarium is. It's not as far as I thought but also not very close. I look up if a subway can take me there and make my way to the next station. The ticket isn't too expensive and I watch the tunnels fly by as the subway takes me to where I need to be.

After getting out at my destination, I have to orientate myself until I know where I have to go.

The aquarium comes to my sight and I start to get excited. Not just because I might get a second job but because I hope to see some animals as well. I skip the ticket counter and go to the information one.

A woman smiles at me.

"How can I help you?" She asks friendly.

"This may sound a little strange but I'm looking for a part-time job and was hoping you might have a free spot." I say and bite my lip as I see her confused face.

"Ehm, I don't know. I'd have to call the manager." She says, her eyes silently asking me if I want her to call the manager.

Do I? Actually yes because I need another job and working here would be great, so I nod and she dials the manager's number, waiting for him to pick up.

Since I don't want to seem rude and as if I'm eavesdropping on their conversation, I look around the entrance hall. It looks pretty and gives me the slight feeling of being underwater, which makes me smile a little.

"Okay, he will come here, so you can ask him." The woman says and I turn back to face her.

"Thank you, that is very kind." I say and she nods and points to a bench on the side of the hall, offering me to sit down while I wait.

While I'm sat, I watch people buying tickets and entering the aquarium. The kids bounce around in excitement and the parents also seem happy to be here.

Now that I'm just sitting here, I can hear the silent music and water noises from the speakers, adding to the feeling of being underwater. It reminds me of the times I went diving, it was amazing.

I felt so free and weightless underwater. The silence was different then the one we know from above the water. It was calm and only sometimes I could here a fish making a noise. Being underwater feels amazing and I wish I had the opportunity to go diving more often but at home we only had a lake and diving there was expensive.

And it probably can not be compared to diving outside in the ocean, where there are no limits and so much more animals to see.

I'm brought back into reality, when a man comes to stand in front of me. I get up and smile at him.

"Hi, I'm Mr. Jackson. How can I help you?" He asks and holds out his hand for me to take and shake. I do so.

"Hi, I'm y/n y/l/n. I was wondering if you have a free part-time job I could apply for." I say and he nods and points into a direction before going that way.

I follow him and my eyes grow big as we pass the first aquarium. There are only small fish in there and we walk too fast to say which ones but it doesn't matter, I still enjoy it very much.

Sadly we leave the exhibit and walk past a door that says 'staff only'. We reach an office, probably his and he points to the chair in front of his desk. I sit down and so does he on his side. For a few seconds he watches me before leaning onto the desk.

"You would want to work here?" He asks and intertwines his fingers on his desk.

"Yes, I would like to." I agree and he nods.

"How did you think of working here?" He asks further and never leaves me out of sight. His stare isn't really intense, more like examining.

"I studied marine biology for three years and love everything that evolves around fish and basically any animal in the sea. I just recently moved here and was looking for a second part-time job and when I found out there's an aquarium here, I thought it would be a good idea." I explain and when he just looks at me, probably thinking about my answer, my fingers start to fiddle in my lap.

"How come you didn't go into research? Or made a doctor title?" He asks, genuinely interested.

For a second I break the eye contact and bite my lip, the fiddling of my fingers getting more intense. My throat tightens a little and I have to fight the urge to start crying. Mr. Jackson seems to notice my change in behavior.

"It's okay, you don't have to answer that if it's too personal." He says and I give him a short smile in thanks.

"What kind of job are you hoping for?" He asks a different question and I take a deep breath to calm down, concentrating on what I'm saying instead of the aching of my heart.

"Anything really. I would happy just to clean the floors or the aquariums. I could also give tours and tell visitors more about the different animals. Or I can take care of the animals, feed them and make sure they are okay." I list off everything that comes to my mind. Mr. Jackson nods along, placing a finger on his chin while thinking about it.

"We actually do need a few new tour guides. Lately some of the ones we had quit and we have some free positions." He thinks out loud and I feel myself starting to get excited again.

"We have two shifts, one from 10 am until 2 pm and one from 2 pm until 6 pm. Which one would you prefer, since you mentioned this would be your second part time job?" He asks.

I think abut it, I mean it's obvious that I can't take the first one but the second one should work. I just have to see how I get from the coffeeshop to here within an hour but I will find a way.

"The second one." I answer with a smile and Mr. Jackson nods.

"Great, I'll make a contract and you can come back on Monday, sign it and start your first day. Would that work with you?" He asks and I nod eagerly.

"Yes, that's perfect, thank you so much." I answer.

We talk a little more about my job and what it will include.

I will have to give tours and tell the people about the animals but also will do some feedings. He asked for my email so he can send me the information sheets which animals are within the exhibit and I can refresh my knowledge. We also talked about the payment and I am honestly happy with it. This really seems to be the right job for me.

For a second I thought about maybe quitting the job at the coffeeshop so I could work both shifts here but I would miss my work at the shop, even though it's been only a week.

Still, hopefully soon I will find a full-time job that I'm happy with and that will pay enough to rent an apartment.

When we are finished, Mr. Jackson and I shake hands and he says goodbye.

While walking out of the aquarium and towards the subway, I'm deep in thought. Wow, I just got my second job and with both salaries combined, I should be able to effort an apartment.

This is so exciting! I won't have to life in a hotel anymore, I will have my own place.

When I get back to the hotel, I will immediately look at the apartments I already saw again, they all looked good but now I can actually sort them with my now sure salary and the fact that I know where I work.

My life here can now officially start.

A/n: How will it work out with Scarlett and also our new job?

I'm on a roadtrip from Monday on, so I might not update the next few days. But after that I will be update regularly again.

Thanks for reading and love to you all