Ellie stands in the living room like she's about to present a business plan.114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHYGd7Gx8v
She's holding a notebook titled:
"Operation: Become a Real Adult"114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡciQ56jY7Wb
(with a star sticker that is absolutely upside‑down)
Ana, Zadie, and Ruth sit on the couch, watching her like she's a baby deer about to attempt parkour.
Ellie clears her throat.
"I've decided... " She stands tall.
"I'm getting a job."
The angels react instantly.
Zadie's jaw drops.114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZ6wHvpSMU
Ana's eyebrows shoot up.114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtw90Eud8dP
Ruth blinks like she's buffering.
"Ellie... you have a job. Your art is your job."
Ellie hugs the notebook tighter.
"I know. But it's not... enough. Not yet. I mean-"114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3InbEBxnWc
114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡziytw0lTxJ
She exhales.
"I got evicted. I can't pretend everything's fine."
The room softens around her.
Ana sits forward, voice steady and warm.
"You don't have to get a job because you think you're failing. You're not. You're allowed to take time."
Ellie shakes her head.
"I want to. I need to. Just something small. Something to help while I build my art back up."
Zadie leans in, eyes wide.
"Do you know how to talk to managers?
"...No."
"Do you know how to talk to people?"
"Also no."
Ruth gets up and pats Ellie's hand like she's comforting a startled kitten.
"We'll figure it out."
Ellie beams - nervous, determined, a little proud.
Zadie whispers to Ana, loudly:
"She's gonna die."
Ana elbows her.114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIR09VSpuJW
Ellie sits cross‑legged on the floor with her "Operation: Become a Real Adult" notebook open, pen poised like she's about to take Very Serious Notes.
The angels gather around her like recruiters at a very chaotic career fair.
Zadie is the first to speak - obviously.
"You should work at the daycare with me."
Ellie blinks.
"I don't know if I'd be good with children."
"Yes, you would! Kids love chaos. And you ARE chaos."
Ellie writes something down, but it's unclear if it's a pro or a con.
Ana steps forward, arms crossed, calm and confident.
"Or you could work at the flower shop. It's quiet. Peaceful. You'd only cry like... twice a week."
"That's less than usual."
Ana nods like she's offering a competitive benefits package.
Ruth adjusts her glasses, clearing her throat like she's about to present the winning option.
"You could work at the library. You'd get to sit. And read. And judge people silently."
Ellie's eyes widen.
"...I can do that."
Zadie scoffs.
"She can't sit still for more than ten minutes."
Ana cuts in. "Neither can you."
Zadie sticks her tongue out at her.
"I can if I'm judging," Ellie adds.
Ruth gives her an approving nod.
"See? Natural talent."
Ana looks between them, then back at Ellie.
"You don't have to do any of this. But if you want to try... we'll help."
Ellie smiles - small, nervous, determined.
"I want to try."
Zadie claps her hands together.
"Great! First stop: daycare! You're gonna love it!"
"She's going to hate it."
"She's absolutely going to hate it."
Ellie closes her notebook with a brave little nod.
"I'm ready."
She is not ready.
***
The moment Ellie steps inside the daycare, she freezes.
It's loud.114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa53F0tZgoU
It's colorful.114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8m0Jkc7lKU
It's sticky.114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9eQ19C85pT
It's... a lot.
Zadie, however, is in her natural habitat. She's wearing a dinosaur sticker on her shirt and carrying a toddler like a football.
"Welcome to the jungle!"
The toddler roars.114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡybElprYWKw
Zadie roars back.
Ellie smiles nervously.
"They seem... energetic."
"Oh yeah. They've had juice."
Ellie's eyes widen in fear.
A toddler waddles up to Ellie and hands her something... damp.
Ellie stares at it.
"What... is this?"
"Treasure."
Ellie does not want the treasure.
She holds it between two fingers like it's radioactive.
Another kid tugs on her sleeve.
"Miss Llama, can you read this?"
Ellie blinks.
"Miss... Llama?"
"You look like a llama."
Ellie's lip quivers.
"Oh, don't worry about that. They're just kids."
Ellie nods.
Zadie plops her into a beanbag chair and hands her a picture book.
"Just read to them! Easy!"
It is not easy.
Ellie opens the book.114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2SGs9e5Xar
Three kids immediately climb her like she's a jungle gym.
One sits on her shoulder.114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡight3zvarK
One is in her lap.114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRd2b4E02bQ
One is trying to braid her hair.
Ellie is sweating through her shirt.
"Okay... um... everyone... sit... somewhere that isn't me..."
No one listens.
Zadie is thriving.
"You're doing great!"
Ellie is not doing great.
A tiny girl stares up at Ellie with big, innocent eyes.
"Are you someone's grandma?"
Ellie's soul leaves her body.
"I'm twenty‑three."
"Oh."114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlfyRIBHROf
(beat)114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6k26SIIPxq
"That's old."
Ellie dies inside.114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI41GpJ2yYf
and then Add to home screen.