Alex is among the things and people I’ve been avoiding. When I run into him, he’s sweet and concerned and he asks about the interview and I brush him off. I don’t want to admit I’ve been fired. It’s embarrassing. Shameful. But I hate lying to him. He’s always so honest and open about everything.

During his very first meeting with the marketing team at Blue Wave, he talked about his failures, how many mistakes he’d made along the way to success. He said he learned more from failure than from success, and he didn’t want anyone on his team to be afraid to fail, because fear prevents creativity.

I wish I could be more like him. Fearless in the face of adversity, instead of just a scared failure.

I could tell him the truth. I know him well enough to know he’s not the judgmental type, but opening up to people, especially people I respect and admire, is like being skinned alive. Rejection and lack of understanding is too common an occurrence.

And yet.

“I got fired,” I blurt out. Heat fills my face. I can’t meet his eyes, instead fixating on a crack in the sidewalk. Why did I tell him?

“Oh, Jane. Hey.” He dips his head to meet my eyes. “That really sucks.”

I wave him off, even though my eyes are stinging. This is humiliating enough without crying in front of Alex. I’m a lot of things, but a crier isn’t usually one of them.

Maybe because I usually don’t talk to other people about my problems.

I shove the thought away. Now is not the time for introspection. “It’s fine.”

But it’s not fine. I blink back the tears. I hate this day. Over and over this damn day.

“Hey listen, I’m in a band. We have a gig tonight. I mean, it’s not a big thing, we’re the opening act and it’s at the Saloon, but you should come. I’ll buy you a drink.”

“Pity invite, huh?” I laugh, the sound brittle.

“No.” He shakes his head. “Not at all. You should come. Please?”

Alex’s expression is careful, his hands shoved into his jeans.

This is new.

This is different.

On the Mondays I don’t avoid Alex, he never asks me to this show. I didn’t even know he was in a band.