DATE  â June 2018 WORD COUNT â  804 MENTIONS  â @elizabethechollsâ SUMMARY  â BStew returns from a trip home and ponders his future while prepping for an interview. TRIGGER WARNINGS  â N/A
He was staying. Damn. He never thought heâd make it to a decision on what to do after graduating. Staying definitely had seemed like a far off idea. There wasnât as big business opportunities in California--not like the east coast. However heâd made a life here. It was home to him. Of course after over two weeks home with family, Braydon nearly changed his mind. His mother had a skillset with guilting her children into doing what she wanted.
Especially since his sister was going off to school as well, there was a great motherâs want to keep her son around home. That didnât stop him from returning to his new home, one that was all his own, and had nothing to do with his parentsâ legacies.
It was ultimately freeing to make the first big decision as a college graduate. What wasnât so freeing, however, were all the interviews he had to schedule or attempt to get. While he could get by just doing grad school, Braydon knew that wouldnât last forever.
It was an interview that had him tentatively walking into a harshly reflective building. Porter Incorporated had been the first to call him and he was hopeful that the position would be worth the starting salary. The shining floor and mirrors lining the foyer of the building gave him hope.
As soon as he sat in the conference room awaiting his interviewer, Braydon settled in the anxious nerves flying around him. His eyes stared out at the city below him. There was an odd loneliness aching in his heart and BStew wasnât sure what to do with it. Rubbing a hand against his chin, he noted how empty he felt without some stubble. His mind wandered to Elizabeth, heâd yet to see her since he was back. Thoughts of their reunion that evening brought a smile to his face. He was grateful to have her in his life. There was a lot of changes happening in his life and it was nice to have her as a constant. Looking around the room, he noted the pictures lining the walls. He presumed they were employees, and the smiling faces made excitement outweigh the nerves.
He could work for a company that valued more modern internal company policies. Instead of focusing on the nerves, he brought out his most charming smile as the interviewer entered the room. She seemed slightly disheveled and apologized for the delay.
âWeâre undergoing some renovations and they blocked off the main hall. I apologize for the delay.â
âNo worries,â he smiled and sat down once more across from her. âI didnât mind the view.â He motioned to the windows and she nodded.
âShall we get started?â She pulled out a notebook and he barely itched to look over his resume once more.
âAbsolutely.â
âWell my name is Vanessa Vanderben. Iâm the Manager for Paid Marketing here at Porter Incorporated. Letâs jump right into it. As Marketing Coordinator you may be required to work odd hours, are you able to do so?â
âDefinitely. Iâve had to do a similar schedule during my internship my freshman year with Strang & Associates.âÂ
âYou must have been there during their...scandal.âÂ
âUnfortunately I was but I think it prepared me for the unexpected that can come within the business industry.âÂ
âVery interesting.â Vanessa paused a moment to write notes on her pad before moving on. âItâs an overused question but I must ask it, what is your greatest weakness?â
Braydon didnât hesitate to answer, âI overwork myself by taking on work that stretches my limitations. Thatâs not to say I donât get the work done, it just means Iâll end up needing a long nap after a projectâs done.âÂ
She gave a light laugh before moving on, âWeâre aware of your previous experiences but we have to say weâre surprised someone with your caliber is sticking around California instead of heading back to the east coast after graduation. What led you to staying and continuing your education?âÂ
It wasnât a completely unexpected question, but it did make Braydon pause to figure out how to word his answer. âIâve begun a life here over the years. It didnât feel right for me to go back to DC when I know I can make my own success and future here in California. As for continuing my education? I still feel like I have more to learn.â He gave a small smile, âPlus I couldnât leave my fraternity house without supervision. They need some more of my guidance, at least for another year or two.âÂ
Vanessa seemed to like his response and wrote down more notes. He took the time to breathe and settle himself. As she looked up at him, Bradyon could tell Porter Incorporated would be considering him a strong candidate for the job.Â
