Just Starting Out
1.6 - Published
“I finally did it, Melody,” Kayla said excitedly after Melody’s latest yoga session.
“Did what?” Melody asked. “Is this about that book you told me about a while back?”
“Yes!” Kayla cheered. “I finally found a company to publish it! John and I are throwing a party at our place tonight, you’re welcome to come.”
“I’ll be there,” Melody smiled.
Kayla walked out of the awfully named yoga company, and boarded the trolley that would take her home. Once she got home, she pushed open the front door and walked into a completely decorated room.
She grinned for a second, taking it all in. Then she started yelling. “John, by the Mother! This is insane! How much did you spe-“
She was cut off by an unfamiliar woman, who squealed when she walked in and ran over to hug her. “Kayla! I’m Lillian, John’s co-worker? So, so, so excited to meet you!”
“Hey, Lillian,” Kayla nodded, pulling herself away.
Of course she’d heard about Lillian from John, but she hadn’t expected to see her here, at her celebration. She’d never met the woman before!
John pulled her aside. “I hope you don’t mind I invited Lillian… she was feeling pretty down because the Landgraabs cut off her family’s power- they couldn’t pay the bills or something, so I thought this would cheer her up.”
“Don’t you two both work for the Landgraabs?”
John shrugged awkwardly. “I asked Malcolm about it, he said Nancy uses some complex method so that most workers aren’t aware of who they’re working for? Something about how being aware would make it harder to find workers…”
“That’s literally so shady, John. I guess you didn’t invite Malcolm then? And… why on earth do you know?” Kayla frowned.
“No, Malcolm wouldn’t be able to make it anyway, don’t forget he lives all the way in Oasis Springs. And as far as why I know? I haven’t the slightest idea… If anything-“
The doorbell rang, cutting John off.
“Oh, thank the Mother, a reason for you two to stop whispering without me,” Lillian complained as she headed over to the door.
Melody walked in, grinning. “Kayla! So lovely to see you outside of my studio…”
Her eyes alighted on John, and the smile got bigger. “And you must be John! I’ve heard so much about you from Kayla… If I’m being completely honest, I spent the first week after I met Kayla thinking you two were a couple.”
John coughed. “T-That’s nasty.”
Melody nodded. “Completely.”
Lillian held out a hand. “Hey! I’m Lillian.”
“Nice to meet you, Lillian. I run Ms. Roach’s Yoga and Spiritual Guidance Studio in downtown Newcrest, you must stop by and pay me a visit sometime…”
Lillian eyes widened and she nodded slowly. “Wordy. Yeah, sounds great.”
“Anyway,” Melody said, turning away from Lillian. “Let’s talk about what we’re all here for…” she paused dramatically. “Kayla’s book!”
Kayla smiled awkwardly.
Everyone headed into the living room, and Kayla began to speak. “It’s called, er, Living on Less. It’s about how someone can seek happiness without wealth, or fame, and can find it in their surroundings and lifestyle, stuff like that…”
“Oh, Kayla,” Melody sighed dramatically, putting her hand over her heart. “That is definitely a book I’ll pick up.”
“I’m intrigued, “Lillian smiled.
Kayla hurried into her bedroom and came out bearing a stack of her book, two of which she gave to Melody and Lillian.
“I do hope you credited me for any yoga tips you listed…” Melody said jokingly.
“Oh, no, in fact I recommended your business,” Kayla grinned.
Tears filled Melody’s eyes and she hurried over and gave Kayla a big hug.
“I wouldn’t be relevant at all to this, would I?” Lillian asked.
Kayla pulled herself out of Melody’s embrace and shook her head. “Uh, unfortunately not. We didn’t even know each other before today, so…”
Lillian nodded. “That’s fair.”
After a lovely dinner and a period where everyone made comments on various blogs that were already reviewing her book, Melody and Lillian went home.
“It’s a shame mom and dad couldn’t make it,” John sighed, relaxing on a couch.
“I’m happy for them, all the same. Winning a lengthy cruise through Windenburg, San Myshuno, that whole area! That’s the trip of a lifetime,” Kayla replied.
John thought for a moment, then nodded. “You’re right.”
Kayla sat down next to John. “I wasn’t going to say anything while she was there, but you should have asked Lillian over tomorrow and invited Malcolm to this thing. She seemed pretty cool, but I just don’t want to have to deal with meeting with new people at a celebration about me, you get what I’m saying?”
John grimaced and nodded slowly. “Yeah… I just acted rashly when she started crying about loosing power…”
“It’s okay, John,” Kayla said, patting him on the back.
“I’ll think harder about it next time,” John promised.
“If there is a next time,” Kayla sighed. “We’ve still got to hope this book does well…”
John sat up straight. “Oh, Kayla, I’m sure it will. It’s just like that one blog said- your book is a breath of fresh air in an onslaught of sci-fi and fantasy novels. Your book is going to set new standards everywhere!”
“I sure hope so,” Kayla laughed nervously.