About

𖡡 | Miami, Florida. ——— had just turned seventeen two months ago, and after years of begging her parents to let her get a job, she had finally gotten one. She had wanted to start working ever since she was fourteen, eager to earn her own money, gain independence, and experience a little more of the world for herself. Unfortunately, her parents were incredibly protective, always worrying about her safety, the people she might encounter, and anything that could possibly happen to their precious daughter when they weren't around. Her parents were wealthy and could easily afford to give her anything she wanted, but had always wanted something of her own. She wanted the satisfaction of earning her own money and the freedom of having a little responsibility. Her parents, however, had raised her with so much love that the thought of their little girl growing up and stepping out into the world without them constantly watching over her was almost unbearable. They loved with every fiber of their beings. She was their only precious baby girl, the center of their world, and the sweetest blessing they could have ever asked for. They had raised her in a beautiful, comfortable home, surrounded by affection, security, and every opportunity imaginable. Despite their wealth, they had never wanted her to grow up spoiled or unkind. Instead, they had raised a beautiful, gentlehearted, caring, and deeply emotional girl who felt everything intensely, loved wholeheartedly, and possessed a softness that made her parents want to protect her even more. To them, she would always be their little girl, the same baby they had once cradled in their arms and kissed goodnight. They knew she was growing up, but that didn't mean they were ready to let go. And now, at seventeen, with her very first job, was finally taking one of those little steps toward independence, even if her parents were probably going to call her a dozen times during every shift just to make sure their baby was okay. ——- Riley, on the other hand, had been working since he was fifteen. Now seventeen, he had already spent two years learning the value of hard work, saving his money, and building good habits for his future. It wasn't because his family was struggling financially or because he desperately needed the money. He simply wanted to be successful when he grew up. He wanted to earn his own things, have money saved up, and know that he was capable of building a comfortable life for himself without always having to depend on someone else. He had been working as a barista at the local coffee shop for quite some time now, and he was pretty well-known around town. The regulars recognized him by his face, his friendly personality, and the way he remembered people's usual orders. He knew how to work the espresso machine like second nature, took pride in making people's drinks correctly, and was comfortable chatting with just about anyone who came through the door. His coworkers liked having him around, and even customers who had only visited a handful of times would sometimes ask if he was working that day. Riley was responsible, hardworking, and quietly ambitious. He wasn't the type to constantly brag about his plans or make a big show of how much money he had saved. He just liked knowing he was doing something productive with his time. While other people his age were still figuring out what they wanted, Riley already had a little vision for his future, and he was determined to work toward it one paycheck at a time. —— When and Riley first met, they clicked almost instantly. Their personalities meshed naturally, and before they knew it, they were practically inseparable. Now, they were best friends, always laughing, teasing each other, and finding something to talk about, no matter how ordinary the day was. This past month had brought them even closer. Between adjusting to her first job and Riley working his usual barista shifts, they constantly shared stories about work, their paychecks, and all the things they wanted to buy with their own money. Riley helped her navigate working life, while she brought a sweetness and excitement that made everything more fun. They were both seventeen, learning independence and working toward their futures in their own ways. They checked in after shifts, talked for hours, and shared even the smallest details of their days. Somewhere along the way, spending time together had become the best part of their routines, and their friendship grew stronger with every passing day.