Three Angels and Me - Episode 3 - Job Hunt (continued)

Ellie walks through the front door slowly, like her bones are tired.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQL6x58ioX
She drops her bag by the couch and sinks down without a word.

The angels look up from what they're doing.

Zadie is on the floor with Pluto.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡffUrVc7xCA
Ana is reading.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdAwB6bLnns
Ruth is knitting something aggressively practical.

They all clock Ellie's mood instantly.

Zadie scoots closer.

"You look like someone who got hit by a trolley."

Ellie lets out a tiny, humorless laugh.

"I... didn't get the job."

Ana closes her book.

Ruth sets down her knitting.

Zadie stops trying to put a tiny hat on Pluto.

Ellie stares at her hands.

"I tried. I really did. But I'm just... bad at everything. I can't even make milk not scream. I can't shelve books. I can't wrap flowers. I can't talk to kids. I can't talk to adults. I can't-"

Her voice cracks.

She curls in on herself.

"I can't do anything right."

The angels move without hesitation.

Ruth sits beside her, warm and steady.

"Baby. You don't have to fix everything at once."

Ana kneels in front of her, voice soft but firm.

"You're not a burden. Not to us. Not ever."

Zadie flops onto the couch dramatically, throwing an arm around Ellie.

"We're literally your angels. Let us angel."

Ellie laughs - small, shaky, but real.

Ruth squeezes her hand.

"You're an artist. That's your job. That's who you are."

Ana nods.

"And we'll help you get stable. You don't have to rush."

Zadie leans her head on Ellie's shoulder.

"You're not alone. You're stuck with us forever. Sorry."

Ellie wipes her eyes, overwhelmed in the good way now.

"...Thank you."

They all settle around her - not fixing anything, not pushing anything, just being there.

And for the first time all day, Ellie breathes.

***

Ellie's room is dim except for a single warm lamp.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVw7Q36Ta5T
Ellie sits on the floor in front of her easel, oversized T‑shirt, paint on her hands, hair tied up messily.

She's working on a new piece - slow, careful brushstrokes, the kind she only does when the world feels too loud.

It's quiet.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFXjGA7Eqli
Soft.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQm1EwVAvpw
Her safe place.

Her phone buzzes on the floor beside her.

She doesn't check it at first.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCpUSQVXF1k
She finishes her brushstroke.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf6qP3ZLAXh
Then another.

Finally, she sighs and picks up the phone.

Her face falls.

ON SCREEN:

"Thank you for your interest, but we've decided to move forward with other applicants."117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWGSziKoJh4
- Bean There Coffee Co.

Ellie stares at it for a long moment.

Then she sets the phone down gently, like it's fragile.

Pluto slips into the room, hops into her lap, and curls up immediately - like he sensed the exact moment she needed him.

Ellie strokes his fur with paint‑stained fingers.

"You're right. I should've applied to be a cat."

Pluto purrs, loud and certain.

Ellie leans her head back against the wall, looking at her half‑finished painting.

"Cats don't get rejection emails."

Pluto head‑butts her chin.

Ellie smiles - small, sad, but real.

She picks up her brush again.

"...Tomorrow will be better."