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MidReal Story
The Room Mate
Scenario:True stories from life
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Alex
He is a young man navigating life after college. He is determined,reflective,and hopeful. After graduating from college,Alex moved back to his hometown,struggling to find purpose and employment. He reminisced about his past relationships,including one with his cousin’s exgirlfriend,until he met Samantha,a woman who rekindled his interest in romance. Despite financial challenges,Alex aimed to create a new life,focusing on building a career and personal growth.
Bryce
He is Alex’s best friend and confidant. He is loyal,humorous,and straightforward. Growing up with Alex since childhood,Bryce remained one of the few constants in Alex’s life. Despite their geographical separation during college,Bryce continued to support Alex through his transitions back into town. He encouraged Alex to pursue his dreams and offered him space to stay at his place. Bryce’s friendship was a source of stability and laughter in Alex’s journey.
Jared
He is another close friend of Alex within the town. He is ambitious,competitive,and charismatic. Jared worked at a successful restaurant owned by his family while pursuing his own culinary dreams. He offered Alex advice on career paths and introduced him to social circles that could boost his professional life. Despite his confident exterior,Jared faced personal challenges related to relationships but remained a valuable source of support for Alex.
I was home.
It didn’t feel like it, though.
After graduating from college, I’d moved back to Crestview and was still getting used to it.
Most days felt like I was on vacation, that I was just passing through.
Nothing about being back felt permanent.
I’d been here eight months now, and still hadn’t found a job.
Or an apartment.
I was currently living with my best friend, Bryce, and his family.
They’d told me I could stay as long as I needed.
But the longer I was there, the more awkward it felt.
I needed to get my life together.
To find a purpose and a place of my own.
My phone vibrated again, and I pulled it from my pocket.
Another text from Bryce.
He was asking where I was, what I was up to.
I stare at the screen, my thumbs hovering over the keyboard.
I’m sitting on my bed in the guest room of Bryce’s family’s house.
The afternoon sun streams through the window, casting a warm glow over the room.
The desk in the corner is covered in job applications, my laptop open to a website with job listings.
I’ve been spending most of my days applying to anything and everything I can find.
Bryce works early shifts at his family’s hardware store, so I don’t see him much anymore.
We used to be inseparable, but now we barely see each other.
Maybe that’s why he’s texting me now.
Maybe he wants to catch up.
I type out a quick response, asking if he’d like to grab coffee at the diner downtown.
Maybe talking face-to-face will help shake this funk I’m in.
I hit send and realize that finding my way back starts with a single step.
I walk into Crestview Coffee House, scanning the room for Bryce.
He’s sitting at our usual corner table near the window.
He’s already ordered for me, and I can see the mug of black coffee, no sugar, on the table.
I make my way over, nodding to a few familiar faces as I go.
Bryce stands up to greet me, smiling warmly.
"Hey," he says, pulling out my chair for me.
"Thanks," I reply, taking a seat and sliding the mug closer to me.
I don’t take a sip right away, just stare at the steam rising from the top.
"So," Bryce says, settling back into his chair.
"How are you doing?"
I shrug, not really knowing how to answer that question.
"I’m okay," I say finally.
"Just got another rejection letter today."
"Oh," Bryce says sympathetically.
"Which one was it this time?"
"The marketing firm in Cedar Rapids," I reply, taking a sip of my coffee.
It’s still hot enough to burn my tongue, but I welcome the pain.
It’s something real in a world that feels like it’s spinning out of control. "Sorry to hear that," Bryce says gently.
"You’ll find something soon. You’re talented and smart."
I smile weakly at him, feeling anything but talented and smart right now.
"I hope so," I say softly.
"I’m starting to get worried that I’ll never find anything."
"Don’t say that," Bryce says firmly.
"You just need to keep applying and eventually something will come along."
I nod, knowing he’s right but still feeling uncertain about everything.
We sit in silence for a moment, sipping our coffee and staring out the window at the passing cars on Main Street outside.
It’s a chilly fall day, with leaves blowing around in the breeze and people bundled up in coats and scarves hurrying down the sidewalk.
The barista comes over to refill our mugs and asks if we need anything else.
Bryce shakes his head no but I ask for another packet of sugar. Once she’s gone again, Bryce leans forward in his chair and looks at me intently.
"I know you’re worried about finding a job," he says seriously.
"But maybe you should try looking into something different. There’s a new tech startup in town that might be looking for someone with your skills."
I raise an eyebrow at him curiously.
"What kind of startup?"
"It’s some kind of app development company," he explains.
"It’s called TechVision," he replies.
"They’re a software development company that creates apps for businesses. I heard they’re looking for someone to help with marketing and sales."
I nod thoughtfully, considering his suggestion.
It sounds like it could be a good opportunity, but I’m not sure if I have the right experience for it.
"I’ll look into it," I say finally.
"Thanks for letting me know."
The barista comes back over to our table again, this time with a fresh pot of coffee in her hand.
She refills our mugs and then stands there for a moment, watching us curiously.
I can tell she’s trying to listen in on our conversation, but I don’t really mind.
It’s not like we’re talking about anything important or private.
"I couldn’t help overhearing," she says suddenly, glancing around nervously to make sure no one else is listening.
"My friend Sarah actually works at TechVision - that startup you mentioned."
She pulls out her phone and shows us Sarah’s LinkedIn profile.
"She’s one of the lead developers there. She might be able to help you get your foot in the door." Bryce and I both look at each other in surprise, then back at the barista.
"Really?" he asks, sounding impressed.
"Yeah," she replies, nodding enthusiastically.
"Sarah is really smart and talented. She’s been working on some big projects lately."
I lean forward in my chair, suddenly very interested in what she has to say.
"What kind of projects?"
I ask curiously.
"Oh, just some new apps they’re developing," she replies vaguely.
"I don’t really understand all the technical stuff, but Sarah says they’re going to be huge."
I nod thoughtfully, taking another sip of my coffee as I consider what she’s told us.
It sounds like TechVision could be a great opportunity for me, especially if Sarah is willing to help me get my foot in the door.
"Thanks for letting us know," I say finally, smiling at the barista gratefully.
"No problem," she replies with a friendly smile of her own.
"If you want, I can give you Sarah’s contact information. She might be able to set up an interview or something."
With trembling fingers, I pull out my phone and carefully copy Sarah’s email and phone number from the napkin where the barista had scrawled them.
The coffee shop buzzes around us, but I’m focused entirely on these precious details that could change everything.
Bryce leans over, snapping a photo of the contact info as backup.
The barista mentions that Sarah usually checks her messages in the evenings, so timing my outreach would be crucial.
I open my email app right there, determined to draft a professional introduction while the connection is fresh.
Bryce watches me, a hint of amusement in his eyes.
"You’re really going for it, huh?" he says, leaning back in his chair.
"I have to," I reply, my voice steady. "This could be the break I’ve been waiting for."
I stare at my laptop screen, my finger hovering over the touchpad after sending the email to Sarah.
The coffee shop’s afternoon crowd shuffles around us, but I barely notice them.
Bryce leans over to read the sent message, nodding his approval at my professional tone and clear interest in TechVision.
I refresh my inbox repeatedly, knowing it’s too soon for a response but unable to help myself.
When Bryce suggests we head out, I close my laptop and pack up slowly, double-checking that I saved Sarah’s contact information in multiple places.
I pack my laptop into my bag while Bryce finishes his coffee.
As I reach for the napkin with Sarah’s contact information, my hand bumps against his when he tries to help gather the scattered papers on the table.
His fingers brush against mine, staying there a moment too long.
The unexpected contact makes me pause, and I look up to find Bryce looking at me differently than usual.
Neither of us immediately pulls away.
The coffee shop's afternoon crowd moves around us as we remain frozen in this strange moment.
I pull my hand away first, mumbling something about needing to check my phone.
The device sits heavy in my palm as I unlock it, more to escape the lingering tension than actual purpose.
That's when I see it - a new email notification.
Sarah's name appears in bold text.
My heart races as I open the message, barely registering Bryce leaning away and busying himself with collecting empty cups.
The screen comes into focus: an interview invitation for tomorrow morning at TechVision's downtown office.
"Wow, that was fast," Bryce says, glancing at the screen with a mix of surprise and admiration.
"I know, right?" I reply, trying to keep my excitement in check.
"This is it," he says softly, his eyes meeting mine with an intensity that makes my heart skip.
I gather my things from the table, my mind already racing through plans for interview preparation.
Bryce offers to help me research TechVision, but I decline, needing some space to process both the interview and this strange, awkward moment between us.
The drive home is a blur as I mentally prepare for the next day.
Back in the guest room, I spread my materials across the small desk - laptop, notepad, and a fresh cup of coffee.
Opening multiple browser tabs, I start digging into TechVision's website, social media, and any relevant news coverage.
Their recent mobile app development catches my attention, particularly their work with local businesses.
It's late into the night, and I'm still at the desk in Bryce's guest room.
The laptop screen glows brightly, casting a pale light over the scattered papers and empty coffee mugs that litter the surface.
I've been typing away for hours, taking detailed notes on TechVision's flagship product - a local business networking app.
My fingers fly across the keyboard as I summarize key features and benefits, trying to commit them to memory.
Occasionally, I pause to practice explaining my marketing ideas out loud, stumbling over technical terms I've only recently learned.
Just as I'm about to call it a night, my phone buzzes with an incoming text from Bryce.
"Need anything?"
I ignore the message, not wanting to be distracted from my mission to sound like an expert tomorrow.
Instead, I refocus on memorizing statistics about app user engagement and retention rates.
Carefully, I write each key point on index cards, determined to make a lasting impression at the interview.
The door creaks open, and Bryce stands there, leaning against the frame with a curious look.
"You sure you don't need any help?" he asks, his voice gentle but insistent.
I hesitate, then sigh, "Actually, there's something I need to tell you about why this interview is so important."