C1

Ten seconds. There are only ten seconds left. Breathe, try to concentrate and don't think about bad things. I kept the pencil in my bag and took the sheet. It was an exam that would help me a lot for my final grades, I was at the end of the race and I couldn't afford to go wrong. When the clock made that strange sound that time was over, everyone got up to deliver the exams.

I stood up, hooked my bag on my shoulder and walked to the desk. I left the exam on top of the others and went out.

"America," Agatha, my best friend, calls me. "Will you go to tonight's play?" that's what she asked me. I sighed deeply and tried to think about whether or not it was worth leaving today; I had been sending some job applications and I was eager to wait for answers. Although honestly, it had already been a few months since that. I think I would have to find some part-time to pay the rest of the rent for my apartment.

"I don't know, Agatha," I held my temple in circles with my fingers. "I'm not for parties sincerely," we both left the university willing to go home. It was after three in the afternoon.

"Come on, America," Agatha frowned. "Please don't let me go alone." I didn't want to tell you anything because I thought you wouldn't like the idea, but... - he hesitated to tell me. Agatha's hair was curly, reached her shoulders and was reddish. Her freckles on her face made her look like one of the prettiest girls in this university.

"What happened now?" I stopped, making her stop too, and I crossed my arms. Agatha used to be very in love with the boys, this month she had dated three and they always used it, that is, they didn't take it seriously. I think they only approached her because of her pretty body or face, but when they met her they actually realized that my friend was not so funny as let's say and had strange tastes. I was the only one who knew her perfectly and with whom she came along very well.

But Agatha didn't learn.

"Well, Tommy's band will play tonight and he told me to go with you," he smiled mischievous. "You know Tommy has been in love with you since the third year of college." Come on, America, it's time for you to go out with someone. Have fun. . Please. Have sex!

"Shhh," I shut her up because I had said it out loud. "Shut up, Agatha, why do you say those things?" I settled my bag as I struck her with my eyes.

"In addition to Tommy, Peter will go, and it's the first time Peter has invited me out." Don't you think he could be different?

"Not if he's Tommy's friend."

Tommy was a complete jerk and so was his friends. I didn't want my friend to get excited about one of them.

"Will you let me go alone?" she made a pot trying to convince me. I thought about it: if she didn't go, Agatha would go alone and who knows what things would happen to her. If I went with her, I could be aware. What could I do at night today? Sit on the old sofa in my apartment and watch some sad movie on my laptop while I ate ice cream.

"Okay, we'll go," I reluctantly accepted, but I did.

Agatha screamed and hugged me.

"You won't regret it," he told me as we walked through the cold streets of Chicago. "I think Tommy will have a surprise for you tonight."

I was wondering what stupid Tommy would eat this time.

•

"America, I'm ready!" Agatha exclaimed from the outside. My apartment was not the big deal: small, furnished with everything you need. It was on the fifth floor. I finished getting dressed and put on makeup a little and then opened the door. Agatha wore a super short black dress that adhered to her body and platform shoes.

"Will you go like that?" he asks me.

"What do you have?" I took a quick look at my torn pants and my short shirt with the logo of a band from the seventies.

"You have no serious remedy," he shook his head. "But let's go, it will be too late."

"Well," I only took my cell phone and the keys, it was what was necessary. As I went in the direction of the elevator, I checked my email to see if I had a response to all the job applications I sent. But nothing. None of them answered me.

Could it be that my resume was very poor? Maybe I should have added more things, some lie maybe just to look interesting. But now it was too late.

"How much do you check?"

We went into the elevator and pressed the living room button.

"I still don't get an answer about any work," I complained. "I'm doomed to failure," I put my hands on my face dramatically.

"You didn't want to accept the proposal I made to you about helping my aunt in the afternoons at the bookstore." The pay is not so bad, but at least it will help you to pay the months of rent.

I had considered Agatha's proposal, but I sincerely needed a job where she earned more than just thirty dollars a day.

"They will answer me, I know."

"If you say so..."

I gave him one last look of reproach as the elevator doors opened.

•

Loud music resonating in every corner of the place, neon lights blinding my eyes, the hustle and bustle of people. No. This is definitely not my environment at all. If it wasn't for Agatha, I wouldn't be here. But she needs me and I can't leave her alone with those two guys. As soon as I look at Tommy or Peter, I will talk to them seriously.

"It's amazing!" Agatha jumped excitedly. "Tommy's band will play in a few minutes!" she exclaimed. "He told me that the first song will be dedicated to you."

I wrinkled my face at what I had said. It was true that Tommy was after me a few years ago, but I never listened to him, I knew them well: womanizer. And Tommy only caught his attention because I don't fall into his charms like the other crazy girls without a life.

"Come, let's move forward!" Agatha took me by the hand and made us pass by pushing people to position us closer to the platform. There were too many screams from women here. My ears were already hurting.

"Ladies and gentlemen: Tommy Moore!"

The screams intensified when Tommy and four other boys, including Peter, took to the stage. Tommy was carrying a black metal-style guitar with him. Peter positioned himself on the drums and the others accompanying the choirs etc.

"Do you want to listen?" Tommy asked about the microphone.

"Yes!" they all replied in unison.

"Are you sure?" the boy insisted. His gaze was looking for someone in the crowd, until he found me—This time the song will be dedicated to a very special girl who accompanies us! America, this is for you," he winked at me.

I opened my mouth with amazement, but then I closed it, I couldn't believe that Tommy said my name in front of all these people. I was aware that I would be bothered later at the university.

Great.

The song began to play and the boys began to sing.

•

"Did you have a good time?" Agatha asked as we got out of place.

"It wasn't that bad."

"I can't believe what Tommy did."

"Neither me."

"America!"

"Speaking of the king of Rome..."

I turned to Tommy who was leaving the place at a hurry.

"Hello, were you thinking of leaving without saying goodbye?"

"I'll wait for you around here." Agatha is leaving.

"Why should I say goodbye?" I stood idly by. Tommy's black hair was uproar, his forehead was sweaty, which caused some strands of hair to stick to her. He wore black jeans, a black t-shirt and wore a small piercing in the corner of his lower lip. A more or less large lightning-shaped tattoo stood out on his neck. Tommy was a bad boy.

"Well, you're right." Did you like the song? It was especially for you.

I shrugged my shoulders.

"Hmm, it wasn't that bad."

Tommy laughed.

"How can I impress you?" Tell me, America. I've done everything.

"Well..." I was going to respond, but on that my cell phone vibrated in my pocket announcing a message. I took it out and checked it. It was an email.

Oh. By. Oh my God.

I opened the email and read it: it was from a company called Morgan something like that. I had heard of it, it was one of the largest in Chicago. And more successful, of course. At the time, I hesitated to send my request there because I knew they would never answer me. The email apparently was from his secretary telling me to introduce myself tomorrow morning for an interview.

I can't believe it!

"America?"

For a moment I forgot that Tommy was still here.

"Tommy, I can't talk at the moment because I have to go." It's super urgent - the emotion didn't fit in me - I'll see you later!" I went out in search of Agatha.

But my friend was with Peter, they were kissing! She didn't waste time. I was so excited because I would have my first job interview that I didn't mind that she fell on such networks. So I stopped a taxi and went home.