"Second Chances"

Amar groaned and dragged herself out of bed, her body still sore from the lengths she went to get this hiking job. 

All month she choked on probably a few thousand painkillers and got occasional suspicious looks from the convenience store owner for getting so many pills and bandages, at least she isn't a murderer, right?

Well about that.

She had completely screwed up and almost had her rival fall down the mountain. At least he didn't die, only a broken arm at best. You know what, scratch that maybe she is a murderer in the process of getting her first kill.

Dragging herself to the kitchen she listened to the water on the stove bubble up and the kettle scream but none of that mattered not in the least because after 1 month's time it was finally her second chance to prove to everyone that she could do this, she is not a killer. 

I mean is a month really that much time for forgiveness or is that what she convinced herself of.

Nonetheless, she got this, this is going to be her hiking job.

After getting dressed she remembered the kettle and almost burned the house down. After diffusing that situation she ran to the car and dragged on her hiking boots.

"I got this" 

____________________________________

There he was in his earth-colored gear and his down to earth tone, just rubbing it in her face how she almost murdered him.

"Hey Matt, how's that arm?" Amar asked, feeling something prickling all throughout her body.

Mathew brushed his long messiah looking brown hair out his way and offered a smile, "I'm okay now, I'm glad to see you here I wonder who's gonna get the job" he asked innocently as if she didn't almost kill him. "I'm out of commission right now but you have all your body parts working" 

She couldn't tell if that was a stab at her or him being the oh-so thoughtful Mathew he was or that's what everyone else thought.

She initiated peaceful banter and told him how he was more for than her but, of course, she was lying she was practically born in the wilderness with her parents being hippies that believed she should worship the land and gracefully pray as you climb it, this reminded her of a quote from her own mother, "If the land shall kill you or you fall do not call for help, our mother nature has decided it's your time do not fight my darling" 

After that whole thing, she more than deserved this job and the pay wasn't too bad either, it'd definitely cover some of her debt.

"Everyone gather around I have very exciting news" Mr. Sharp shouted excitedly

"I had such a tough time picking our newest addition to the team so I decided I would take more time to think on it, seeing as how Matt can't really hike right now I will use the knowledge I have gained since last month, see you all in 2 more hours" After explaining everyone slowly disappeared from the group expect Amar and Mathew.

"I'm so nervous, my arm is really messing me up, the job would look best on you though"

"No it'd look great on you, you definitely deserve it and you'd have it if it wasn't for me, I'm so sorry" 

"It's fine I didn't even notice the pain, it's not your fault, I don't want to see you pity me," he said softly just staring into Amar's eyes.

After standing there awkwardly, she decided to walk away after giving her best wishes for his arm.

After 2 hours it was finally the deciding time.

Mrs. Harris and Mr. Sharp made their way out to the hallway and waited until everyone assembled.

Mrs. Harris started out, "As you all know we have 2 new recruits who we would love to keep but our budget only allows one, so we are going to only keep one, Mr. Sharp will tell you who it is' ' after stepping back she sent Mr. Sharp a look and he stepped forward.

"After carefully looking over their resumes and how they did last week before the terrible incident with Mathew, me and Mrs. Harris have decided to go with Mathew as our new hiker"

After that Amar blocked out everything else, this supposed to be her chance for a good job and she wouldn't need to depend on her parents anymore but apparently not.

"Amar we absolutely loved you but Mathew just has the drive and talent for this not that you don't have any talent, he's just the obvious option"

"Yes I understand, thank you for having me here and giving me the opportunity" She looked up and pushed the best smile she could offer and left after waving to everyone and congratulating Mathew.

Rushing to her car she sat down and drove off.

That was her dream job she just lost, she pushed so hard and got nothing. Maybe this was a sign, but right now she needed someone else, she just lost her dream.

She in fact did not have this.

She drove all the way to her parent's house. Well, scratch that, she drove 45 minutes to the mountain then proceeded to climb all the way up to their house for 1 hour.

After arriving, eventually, she unlocked the door and submerged herself in lavender and sage. 

"Look at my darling daughter!"

"The outside world with their technologies has disappointed you once again, hasn't it?" Her father asked as he hugged and kissed her forehead.

"You should stay up here with us, you know I found you a nice young lady and a young boy if you're interested in either"

"Mom, I'll find my own significant other, please don't butt in, why are you still like this" after pulling away from her father and then went to her mom.

"So what happened, the last thing I heard is that you caused this man to break his arm and they gave you a second chance to prove yourself so why are you here?"

"I'm here because…. Because I failed and I didn't get the job"

"Oh my dear, we both knew that would happen, so why are you crying"

Oh yeah, she forgot her mom was not the most empathetic of people.

"I know what you said but I thought that I would land this job, this is the 2nd time I've lost a job like this it's so frustrating"

"Darling, things like this happen you know you have to keep trying to go and get what you want, just because you fail sometimes doesn't mean you have to quit, don't listen to your mom" 

"Thanks, Dad, can I stay here tonight I really don't want to start my search so soon" 

"You can stay here tonight or you can give up on worldly matters and stay with us until your married"

"Mom!"

"I'm just giving suggestions" 

____________________________________

"And Cut!, wonderful work everyone thanks you for your excellent acting" the director congratulated everyone as Amar made her way off the stage.

"Thanks for the advice, 'Dad'"

"No problem, I'm always here you can message me on the Instagram if you need any more advice," Mr. Bennet said as he ruffled her hair.

"Alright do we need to do any more scenes, director?"

"No, we just need to edit all of it I think we did really well if we do I'll call all of you, thank you again for quite the performance Amar"

She waved and made her way over to the snack table and picked up a donut.

"So about that date later," Mathew asked, standing in front of her whilst putting his hair in a bun.

"Uh, how about tomorrow morning I feel exhausted.

"Well, I guess that'll have to do" he kissed her forehead and headed over to his trailer.

She watched him leave and pressed her fingers gently against her forehead and smiled.

For all of them, it was another good day of acting for the TV show "Second Chances"