Morning starts with a familiar routine, but with a lingering nostalgia from the carefree weekend. Coffee brews,Lexi continously drink it as she keeps on drafting about the first project she is trying to propose.
Her desk is cluttered but intentional—pencils, notes, reference images pinned up in an organized chaos that fuels creativity. Every stroke on the screen is deliberate, measured. She sketches the rough outline of her character, watching as it comes to life in fluid movements, frame by frame. The excitement flickers in her eyes—a blend of nerves and passion—as she reworks key poses, adjusting proportions, refining the flow.
"So focus". A voice suddenly interrupted her. It was Erika. "Inspired?".
Then, a slow nod. A smile—not the polite kind, but one of genuine appreciation.
"You really captured it," Erika says, voice warm with praise. "The looks, the timing, the sound. This is good work."
Relief floods her chest, followed quickly by pride. She had poured hours into this—adjusting keyframes, fine-tuning gestures, making sure every blink and twitch felt natural. And now, her effort is recognized.
Around her, a few colleagues glance over, sensing the moment. One gives a quiet thumbs-up, another nods with an approving smile. The praise isn't just words; it's an acknowledgment, a sign that she's growing, that her work holds weight.
Erika then moves closer and tap the screen. "Keep going. You've got a great instinct for movement. We'll refine a few things, but this—this is solid." She nods, it is the first time that they have actually talk about work and she was amazed by how knowledgeable Erika was.
She then continue on working, sipping on her coffee. A quiet hum of instrumental music plays in the background, helping her sink deeper into the process. The animation software's timeline stretches before her, dotted with keyframes, each one a step toward something tangible. Her fingers dance over the keyboard, toggling between layers, adjusting timing, ensuring each motion feels organic.
After finishing the first part she exhales deeply, the sun is also vanishing as of the moment it was late in the afternoon, she stretch and stood up.
"Time to go home". Lexi said.
As she reaches her apartment, she tosses her bag onto the couch, sighs, and sinks into the familiar comfort of home. The tiredness clings to her, but it fades as soon as she picks up her phone. The moment the call connects, her expression shifts—softens.
"Hey, you," she says, a small smile curling on her lips.
The voice on the other end—warm, familiar, filled with laughter—makes her heart swell. Suddenly, the distance between them feels a little smaller. They talk about their day, exchanging stories, sharing moments that feel mundane but somehow special when spoken to each other.
She walks to her window, looking out at the quiet cityscape, her fingers tracing absent patterns on the glass. "I miss you," she murmurs.
"I miss you too". Valeria voice was full of warm and sweetness as she says those words.
"How was your day?". Valeria asked.
Lexi's lips curve slightly. "Long day, too much work".
"I figured". She answered. "You sound tired". Valeria added.
Lexi hums in agreement, closing her eyes for a brief moment. "Work was nonstop. I barely had time to breathe."
A pause, and then her voice lowers, softer now. "Wish I could be there. Just to sit with you, maybe make you tea or something."
They talk for a moment filling in the gaps between them. Their conversation stretch, they talk until their eyes felt heavy.
You should sleep," Valeria murmurs when she felt the voice of Lexi getting slower out of exhaustion. "You're exhausted."
She sighs, snuggling into the pillow. "Stay on the call?"
"I will,"She promises.
And so, she closes her eyes, her breathing steady on the other end of the line, a quiet reassurance that no matter the distance, she is still right there with her.