When the Tables Turn

Jalissa sat cross-legged on her twin bed, the soft hum of Gina's TV filtering through the partition they'd set up in the living room. It wasn't the most comfortable setup, but it was better than sleeping on the streets. For now, it was her reality—a reality she was determined to change.

A blank notebook lay open in front of her, her pen hovering over the first page. For weeks, she had been too numb to plan anything, too overwhelmed to even think about her future. But the tough love from Dr. Simone and the support from Gina had reignited something inside her: the will to fight.

She wrote the first line at the top of the page: "Take my life back."

Underneath, she began listing her goals:
    1.    Get in shape.
    2.    Finish my degree.
    3.    Get a good job.
    4.    Move out and find my own place.

It was ambitious, but Jalissa knew she needed to aim high. The life she had with Ethan was over, and the only way to move forward was to rebuild from the ground up.

The next morning, Jalissa laced up her old running shoes and stepped outside. The cool air bit at her skin, but it was refreshing—like a reset button. She started slow, walking briskly down the block before transitioning into a light jog. Her legs burned, and her lungs felt like they might explode, but she pushed through.

When she got back to Gina's, sweat clinging to her skin, she felt something she hadn't felt in a long time: accomplishment.

"You're looking all sweaty and determined," Gina teased as Jalissa walked through the door, clutching her side and gasping for air.

"Better than sweaty and depressed," Jalissa shot back, grabbing a bottle of water from the fridge.

Gina grinned. "That's the spirit."

Over the next few weeks, Jalissa threw herself into her goals. She started meal prepping, making healthier choices instead of the fast food she had relied on during her lowest points. She enrolled in an online business administration program, using her savings and a small scholarship she had applied for months ago.

Her mornings were spent running or doing workout videos she found online, her afternoons at her classes, and her evenings at her part-time cleaning job. The structure gave her life meaning again, a purpose she hadn't felt in months.

Gina, inspired by Jalissa's progress, decided to start therapy.

One evening, Gina came home and dropped her bag on the counter. "Therapy's wild," she said, flopping onto the couch.

"How so?" Jalissa asked, setting aside her textbook.

"My therapist, Dr. Hayes, keeps making me dig into my childhood," Gina said, rolling her eyes. "She says I don't set enough boundaries and that I need to stop trying to save everyone."

"That tracks," Jalissa said with a smirk.

"Oh, shut up," Gina replied, throwing a pillow at her. "But honestly, it's been helpful. She's got me journaling and everything. I feel... lighter. You should think about going sometime."

Jalissa hesitated. "Maybe. I'm still trying to work through things on my own."

"Well, when you're ready, let me know," Gina said. "Dr. Hayes is blunt, but she's good."

During one of her classes, Jalissa's professor, Dr. Langley, posted about a part-time administrative assistant position. The description was vague, but the company was impressive—a high-tech firm owned by Victor Owens, a self-made millionaire who had risen to prominence in the tech world.

Jalissa hesitated for a moment before clicking the link. She had never worked in a professional office setting before, but something about the opportunity called to her.

"This is it," she murmured to herself as she filled out the application. She attached her résumé, wrote a detailed cover letter, and hit submit.

The next day, she received an email inviting her to an interview.

The week leading up to the interview was a whirlwind. Jalissa spent hours researching Victor Owens and his company, reading up on his achievements, the company's mission, and recent projects. She practiced answering potential interview questions, writing out notes, and rehearsing her responses in the mirror.

On the eve of her interview, Gina insisted they go shopping for a new outfit.

"You can't wear one of your old coffee shop shirts," Gina joked, dragging Jalissa into a department store.

Jalissa rolled her eyes. "I wasn't planning to."

As they sifted through racks of blazers and skirts, a familiar voice froze Jalissa in her tracks.

"Jalissa?"

She turned to see Kate standing a few feet away, holding a sleek dress in one hand. Beside her was Ethan's mother, Mrs. Smith, clutching a small shopping bag.

Jalissa's heart dropped, but she straightened her shoulders and forced a polite smile. "Kate. Mrs. Smith."

Kate's lips curled into a saccharine smile. "It's been so long! How are you?"

"I'm doing well," Jalissa said evenly, refusing to give Kate the satisfaction of knowing otherwise.

"Good to hear," Kate said, her tone dripping with faux sweetness. "You should stop by the wedding next month. I'm sure Ethan would love to see you."

Jalissa's jaw tightened, but before she could respond, Mrs. Smith chimed in.

"Jalissa, you're a sweet girl," she said, her voice soft but firm. "But you and Ethan were never going to work out. It's better this way."

Gina stepped forward, her fists clenched at her sides, but Jalissa gently placed a hand on her arm.

With grace and composure, Jalissa looked Mrs. Smith in the eye and said, "You're entitled to your opinion, but I know my worth. And someday, Ethan and Kate will too."

She turned to Kate, her smile calm but unwavering. "Thank you for the invitation, but I'll pass."

Without waiting for a response, Jalissa turned and walked away, Gina close behind her.

That night, as she laid out her new outfit for the interview, she felt a quiet sense of pride. She wasn't the same woman Ethan had left behind. She was stronger now.

And she was just getting started.