Carrie rushes out her apartment with a cinnamon roll in between her front teeth as she fumbles to put her jacket on.

If the military had taught her anything, it was to always arrive at least 15 minutes prior. That was the standard.

And yet…

Medically discharged Carrie found herself running late for her job interview.

Sure, nursing homes and drilling her platoon were completely different.

No one would have her push 10 for being tardy, but she was no longer in the military. She needed a job to pay the bills while she recovered from an old injury.

And being late, did not seem to be a very good first impression.

Carrie was 23 years old.

Short light brown hair, light brown eyes that almost looked yellow and a slender yet built body due to her time in service.

She had complained about everything while in service, but now all she wanted was to get back. It felt like home. She even missed running for 8 miles every morning rain or sun.

“I made it!” She exclaimed slowing down to a brisk pace as she came into view of the elderly home “5 minutes prior is better than nothing I suppose…”

“I thought the standard for military was 15 minutes prior?” Said Mrs Canon not even looking up from her paperwork.

“Good morning mrs Canon. I apologize for my tardiness “ Carrie bit back her comeback.

Mrs Carrie’s husband was in service and had been for years now, so she was very well accustomed to how things worked within the military.

“I’m here for my job interview as a caretaker mrs canon.”

“I am aware” she responded harshly moving on to a different document.

“Control your temper Carrie. Your fault for being tardy…” Carrie thought to herself as she waited in silence.

“Ah don’t mind miss canon, she can be quite irritable “ an old man said while strolling in.

“Tate over there will show you around, if he thinks you are someone he can work with then you’re hired”

“Well that was unexpected “ Carrie thought to herself “okay, thank you “

Carrie then proceeded towards the door where said “Tate” was.

Tate had a shaved head, piercing blue mischievous eyes and a playful smile that revealed sharp canines.

“He kind of reminds of a bear cub…” Carrie pondered.

“Are you Tate?”

“Yep, follow me” and he turned walking down the hallway as he leisurely stuffed his hands in his pockets while murmuring a short hello to an elderly couple walking by.

“This is the kitchen, that fish tank over there has our two clown fish, Larry and Cleo. No they are not food” he chuckled at his own joke but Carrie just rolled her eyes and kept following.

Tate continued to point things out with the occasional joke and Carrie would merely follow him and nod in acknowledgment, absorbing the information like a sponge.

“…and this is the libr-“Tate did not get to finish because “omg! That’s my favorite book!” Carrie rushed over to the shelf closest to the window and pulled down a blue book with a dragon on it. “I almost read this book religiously! It’s SO good! Definitely recommend it!” She beamed at him while showing him the book. She then skimmed through the pages eagerly remembering every single detail of the story.

Then she froze “way to lose your military baring Carrie, you’re in the middle of a freaking job interview!” She cursed at herself under her breath.

“I… uh… I apologize. I lost myself for a minute and got carried away with the book… I’ll put it back now” Carrie stumbled over her words as she stared down at her feet slightly embarrassed. Then went to put the book back in it’s rightful place on the shelf.

As her back was turned she heard an old lady laugh and say to Tate “I’d hire her if I were you, this one is entertaining!” She then cackled her way down the hallway with her walker. As Tate laughed with her and called out “I’ll keep that in mind!”

Carrie was now flushed.

“Why?” She berated herself while walking back to Tate still staring at the ground.

Tate smirked trying not to laugh then continued with the tour.