"Had a bad day? Don't worry about it... You have done well. Very well Jazzie..." Ellie comforted as Isla passed some tissues to her.

  "Why don't you think of other alternatives? If you can't change your situation, then change the environment?" Isla suggested as Jazzlyn wiped her face and sighed.

  "I have been thinking about it. I was already sending out some resumes. We will see how it goes..." Jazzlyn updated recalling her interviews and an opportunity she had been toying in mind as she took a sip of water.

  Later that night, while Jesslyn was asleep on the couch, Isla and Ellie were in Ellie's study ready to play computer games together.

  A continuous message ping from Isla's game messenger made Ellie very curious as she peeked into Isla's screen.

  "Who is that? Silky beancurd?" Ellie frowned thinking it was a weirdo.

  "My brother-in-law..." Isla chuckled as Ellie went on to read the messages.

  "Zac?" Ellie asked as Isla nodded.

  "Nono, no play starve." Zac wrote.

  "Starve U to death... The best!" Isla replied.

  "So sad me..." Zac replied.

  "Why o*?" Isla typed.

  "U starve me to death how I can be happy?" Zac retaliated sending Isla and Ellie laughing.

  "He still has this witty side doesn't he?" Ellie commented.

  "Tell me about it. A social awkward..." Isla rolled her eyes while shaking her head.

  "What do you mean?" Ellie questioned. "You know how some people can't read the room or people who have communication issues or even convey themselves well?" Isla explained briefly as Ellie nodded.

  "He seems to have them but slightly more chronic than the usuals..." Isla said while typing to taunt Zac.

  "Hehehee, move house... Lai lai* move moveeee..." Isla decided to change the topic with him.

  "He still hasn't moved yet? Still staying with his sister?" Ellie asked as Isla nodded.

  "U starve me to death still ask me move? I broke..." Zac wrote.

  "Excuses..." Ellie commented as Isla hummed in acknowledgment.

  "Hahahha u dead le u move to heaven ok what..." Isla typed as the girls laughed.

  Zac wrote "..."

  "U broke? I burn hell money for U... ahhh omitofo*." Isla typed as the girls continued giggling.

  "U starve me to die surely take all my money. How can I be rich still?" Zac replied.

  "Nutcase... Is he for real?" Ellie laughed as Isla snapped her finger to give Ellie a show.

  "Didn't I tell you already?" Isla laughed.

  "Ha so I buy hell money with your money and burn for U.

  Buy ferrari

  Rolex

  Roll royce

  Bangalow

  Korban* lembu* and kambing* for U"

  Isla wrote sending Ellie to loud laughter but Isla quickly hushed her as Jazzlyn was still asleep.

  "Pay $0 does it mean I pay?" Zac asked.

  "I eat liao* then shit does it mean I ate?" Isla typed as the girls laughed hysterically.

  "Savage! Offensive!" Zac scolded as the girls laughed and that was when they heard a soft sob and sniff.

  They turned their heads to see Jazzlyn awake but hiding her face on her thigh. They both rushed over to comfort her as they knew it was a norm for her to wake up from a nightmare or just feel emotional after a chaotic day of work.

  This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  When she finally calmed down, Ellie offered her a glass of water. "Wanna talk about it?" Isla asked as Jazzlyn sighed.

  "Sorry for spoiling the mood..." Jazzlyn realised she just made them stop gaming.

  "Oh, that's fine. It was just Zac. Isla weird brother-in-law." Ellie and Isla could not help but laugh recalling the funny conversation earlier.

  Jazzlyn chuckled a little. "You're still in touch with Lex's family although Lex has left quite a few years now?"

  Isla smiled and nodded. "They are still my relatives. Weird but entertaining." Isla laid on Jazzlyn's lap.

  "So was it an angel visiting you or a soul thanking you?" Isla tickled Jazzlyn to make her talk.

  Jazzlyn giggled while avoiding Isla. "It's just the pressure from finding another job instead of fearing not getting a permanent position in the hospital that's been bothering me..." Jazzlyn finally admitted.

  "You know, I could walk into the chaos in an emergency room and yet I had to navigate which case is urgent but I am so useless in deciding to leave or to stay in this job or to do something else..." Jazzlyn continued.

  "Jazz, have you ever thought of freelancing before?" Isla suggested while Ellie nodded.

  "That's actually a good idea..." Ellie concurred.

  "The thing is, it's rather unstable. I do have an opportunity that I'm thinking about but I am also looking out for stability as a priority... I mean last resort perhaps if I really cannot take it anymore, I might just opt for that option since it's an acquaintance's community." Jazzlyn said while sorting out her thoughts.

  Isla sat up. "Is it Dr. Wang?" She teased sending Ellie giggling.

  "Tsk, I said acquaintance. Must it always be him?" Jazzlyn rolled her eyes, dragging herself out of her thoughts.

  "Jazz, it's been a while since you broke off with Ben. Why don't give Dr. Wang a try? I mean he had been patiently pursuing you anyway..." Ellie suggested.

  "It's not him and I don't have the energy to think about love now that I don't even have time to sleep," Jazzlyn whined before leaning onto Isla.

  "Jazz, work wise I would say you're on track. You know clearly what you want and where to head to. Love life, I know it's purely your choice but don't keep pushing them away. You never know till you step in unless you still have feelings for Ben?" Isla asked solemnly and the girls knew when Isla uses a serious tone, she was making her point across and it was rare.

  "No, I don't. After the crazy few months you both accompanied me suffering from the break up, I'm never getting back to him ever." Jazzlyn said with conviction.

  "Good. Then take your time and sort out your thoughts. Be more open including in love." Isla continued in a solemn voice.

  "I know. Thanks. Speaking of which, Isla why don't you find someone to date too?" Jazzlyn teased in return as the girls giggled.

  "Oh please... Spare me. I love my peaceful life now..." Isla said while getting up, and heading back to her laptop.

  "Really? Are you still receiving bouquets from the teenage boys in your center?" Jazzlyn teased as Isla rolled her eyes.

  "Oh please, they are all minors... Who cares... I made them return them and have them buy books with the money. What do you expect?" Isla revealed as the girls laughed.

  "Indeed. Teacher Isla is tough to manage..." Ellie concluded while Jazzlyn read Zac's chat.

  "Just look at this boy's conversation. When will he grow up? Tsk tsk tsk..." Jazzlyn read while half laughing.

  "I don't even know which generation he fits in. The new gen are so good at praising and catching your attention especially when they desperately want a favor." Ellie whined as Jazzlyn sat in between the duo.

  "I have seen them when they are smitten. Oh, you're so cute, oh your name is so cute, oh your bag is cute." Isla recalled in one of her games.

  "Why did you even play with that generation? Aren't you all playing zombie or shooting games? Shouldn't there be adults?" Jazzlyn questioned.

  "Miss, sometimes we just want to unwind so we tend to play some relaxing games and we can't stop kids from joining right?" Ellie explained as Jazzlyn chuckled.

  "You both really play anything. So geek!" Jazzlyn commented.

  "Soon you will go to the cafeteria and here, good sup sir. Oh, you're looking rizz* today. What can I get you to drink today?" Isla cracked a joke as the girls laughed.

  "I can't wait to hear kids discipline their kids: Bruh!* What the sigma!* If you keep being sus*, you're losing your phone. No cap*." Ellie said as they all laughed again.

  "Yeaaa, some of them in the same gens also think their friends are speaking aliens. I would always say don't worry, they are blessing you while speaking in tongues." Isla laughed recalling Jill's and her conversation.

  "Some are actually acceptable like vibe check, yap, sus, sheesh..." Jazzlyn pointed out.

  "Kids nowadays are getting more and more short time span. they cannot stand comprehensive stuff. They don't understand and refuse to. That's bad." Isla pointed out as she clicked to join Ellie's gaming server.

  "I was teasing some kids this morning... They kept saying another game was bad. I ask how bad. Then they say just bad... I should try." Ellie vented.

  "I was like you said bad and I should try. Does it even make any sense? Then they kept quiet. I guess was hunting the game boss or something. That's where I said: Tsk tsk tsk new gens don't even know how to explain in detail or convince others." Ellie continued.

  "Fuhh* they seriously rage and said stuff like bruhhh*, skibidi*! To me is like who cares? I don't understand what you're saying. Then I left and went to another server." Ellie laughed along with the girls.

  Isla decided to tease Jazzlyn a little. "Hey, Pookie*~~ would you like to Netflix and chill* with me tonight?~ You know just me and you~ Ahem Ahem?"

  Ellie laughed while Jazzlyn smacked Isla lightly. "What on earth are you talking about? Now, you're an English teacher. Speak properly Isla!" Isla laughed.

  "Pookie... it's like calling your lover dear or sweetheart. it's a pet name... Netflix and chill..." Ellie was startled by Jazzlyn who stood up suddenly.

  "I know what's that!" Jazzlyn stopped Ellie from explaining further as Isla chuckled.

  "So, was it Ben or Dr. Wang who used it on you?" Isla teased as Jazzlyn smacked Isla hard this time.

  "OUCH!" Isla yelped holding her right arm.

  "Stop teasing!" Jazzlyn demanded.

  "If she smacks you with a pan uhm, sorry but not sorry!" Ellie told Isla as Isla laughed nonstop.

  "Then when she smacks you... you say, oh come on Pookie don't be so mid*. It ain't fire*." Isla continued teasing.

  "She will drill you in fire after that!" Ellie concluded as Isla laughed so hard that Jazzlyn was tickling them both.

  "You slay queen*!" Isla complimented Ellie.

  Glossaries:

  O - Most commonly used as Oh which is to express surprise, shock, or realization, often in response to something unexpected or amusing

  Lai - Means come or invite someone to do something or to join you in Hokkien dialect

  Omitofo - Chinese prayer chant of the Sanskrit "Amitabha

  Korban - Means to offer as a sacrifice in Malay language

  Lembu - a cow in the Malay language

  Kambing - a goat in Malay language

  Liao - Malaysian slang, (pronounced "lee-ow"), a common, informal word that signifies "already" or "finished" and is often used at the end of a sentence to indicate completion

  Rizz - a Gen Z slang meaning charisma or the ability to charm and attract someone

  Bruh - a Gen Z versatile interjection that can mean "bro" or express a range of emotions like disbelief, exasperation, excitement, embarrassment, or surprise

  Sus - a shortened version of suspicious or untrustworthy in Gen Z slang

  What the sigma - a Gen Z slang to express what the hell" or confusion or disbelief

  No cap - Means lie or falsehood in Gen Z slang

  Fuh - a Gen Z slang used to express astonishment, amazement, or to emphasise something

  Skibidi - a Gen Alpha slang which is a nonsensical word, often used in a joking or absurd way

  Pookie - a Gen Z expression often used as a playful or affectionate nickname for someone you care about

  Netflix and chill - a Gen Z expression suggesting a romantic or sexual activity after watching Netflix, but can also refer to simply relaxing at home and watching TV

  Mid - in Gen Z expression means average, mediocre, of poor quality

  Fire - in Gen Z expression means something is exceptionally good, cool, impressive, or of high quality

  Queen - a Gen Z expression meaning the person was deemed impressive or praiseworthy, especially for females