The snow had just begun to fall as Madeline rushed around her apartment. "Great…late on my first day" She muttered to herself as she slipped on her favorite black pumps. She grabbed her lunch, coat and purse and headed to the front door, stopping to give herself a once over in the mirror one more time. She had chosen a sensible sheath dress and heels and kept her makeup natural and her long blonde hair in loose curls.

"Ok here we go, first day…you got this!" She gave herself a quick pep talk as she put on her coat and headed for the train.

Madeline nervously bounced her leg as she waited in the lobby for the HR rep to meet her and show her to her desk. A tall, young brunette approached Madeline with a file, badge and an outstretched hand.

"Hi Madeline? I’m Janelle from HR here to show you around and get you started today." Madeline smiled and introduced herself in return and followed Janelle to a large bank of elevators behind the reception desk.

"So I know you’ve obviously been here a few times through the interview process but I’ll be showing you where your cubicle is located, introducing you to your team and giving you a quick tour of the building. We have the top three floors of the building, your team and cubicle are located on the second floor and the top floor is where Mr. Windsor’s office is located." Janelle continued to rattle off general office information and explain what paperwork Madeline still needed to fill out. Madeline nodded her head and tried to take it all in as Janelle exited the elevator and quickly navigated the large halls of the second floor.

"This is your cubicle which is surrounded by all the other creative members of your team so other graphic designers, copy writers, editors, etc. You’ve obviously met your boss Vince already, his office is located just over that last cubicle wall. This floor has its own kitchen, fully stocked break room and several conference and huddle rooms."

Madeline set her stuff down on her desk and continued to follow Janelle around the second floor, stopping to introduce her to several key people on her team. When she finally got back to her desk she took a few deep breaths and tried to take in everything she had just heard.

After grabbing some coffee she headed into her boss Vince’s office to get direction on what projects and campaigns she would be working on, more general office information and an invitation to an upcoming happy hour with the team.

The day went on with more introductions, lunch with a few coworkers and diving head first into the files she would be working on for the next several weeks. By the time she made it back home she was exhausted but genuinely excited for this next chapter of her life. She had loved college but was ready to say goodbye to dorm rooms and house parties and ready to embrace her independence.

She kicked off her shoes and laid back on her bed pointing a finger in the air as if she were looking at herself in a mirror and thought aloud…"I am going to kick ass at this job…I didn’t work as hard as I did through college to just be another lackey barely getting by." Her pep talk to herself was interrupted by the sound of her phone buzzing.

"Hey Jazmine, how’s it going?" Jazmine was Madeline’s best friend and former college roommate. They had only known each other a few years but it seemed like a lifetime…They just seemed to click when they first met and were inseparable ever since.

"So how’d the first day go? Was everyone sitting around smoking and drinking Old Fashions?"

Madeline scrunched her face in confusion, "What the hell are you talking about?"

Jazmine laughed, "You know, like in Mad Men? I just can’t help thinking that’s what all marketing firms are like...I’m just kidding of course."

"Oh ok, yeah no it’s nothing like that. The office itself is very modern and nice, very bougie but most of my team looked more hipster or could be confused for Urban Outfitters employees. I knew what I signed up for when I decided to pursue an art degree but hey it’s what I love."

She continued to tell Jazmine about her first impressions of the place and her determination to make something of herself at this job by using it as a launching pad for her career. They continued to talk about their days as Madeline walked around her bedroom changing into her gym clothes.

"Ok so are we going to boxing tonight or what? I’m already changing so you can’t back out on me now." Madeline put the phone on speaker and threw it on her bed as she laced up her tennis shoes.

"Nope I’m already dressed and ready to go, just walking to the train now." Jazmine replied as she ran out her front door.

"Great, see you in a few muah!" Madeline threw her phone and water bottle in her bag, threw on five more layers to survive the Chicago winter and ran out the door to catch her train.

Madeline and Jazmine laughed and talked about their weekend plans as they came out of the locker room and headed over to their ring. "Whoa who in the hot hell is THAT?" Jazmine gasped as she subtly pointed to a tall, dark haired guy in the corner doing some warmup moves. Madeline literally tripped over her own feet as she made eye contact with him through the mirror he was standing in front of.

"Oh that’s Ben, he’s a regular here. You ladies ready to stop drooling and get your butt’s kicked?" Damon said as he tightened the band on his mitts.

"Listen Damon that man looks like he needs friends and Maddie and I here are very friendly so honestly you should do him a favor and introduce us" Jazmine said as she batted her long eyelashes.

"Ha-ha let’s get to work you lazy bums, you’re looking like you might be fighting off some holiday weight" Damon responded with a smirk.

"Okay it’s go time bitch!" Jazmine said as she and Maddie started punching Damon.

"Hurry up and get your stuff so we can see that guy again!" Jazmine said as she scooted around Madeline.

"Uh why are you so obsessed with meeting this guy, aren’t things just dreamy with Ethan?" She said as she reached for her coat in her locker. "Oh wait…NO! You’re not going to hook me up with someone again Jaz, your last attempt called me "bro" and offered a threesome on our first date…so PASS!"

"Maddie come on, it’s been like 9 months since you and Jake broke up and I’m starting to worry your virginity is going to grow back." Madeline rolled her eyes and picked up the rest of her stuff.

"I’m fine, honestly. I’m over Jake, I’ve just been focused on this new job and transitioning from college to “adult-hood.”

Jazmine turned to her friend and put her hands on her elbows, "Fine I’ll let it go for now, but if I come over and you’ve adopted cats I’m sending for help." Both girls laughed and headed out of the gym to go home.