Ashley Tyler’s Guide to Self-Confidence - Epilogue

Commissioned by George Washington

Got problems with anxiety and self-confidence? Fear not! Ashley Tyler’s audio course will help you work through them and become the woman you were always meant to be! Please note: men who listen may experience unforeseen side effects. 

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Epilogue

The bell tinkled as Caleb entered the coffee shop. She waited in line, humming a little tune under her breath while scrolling on her phone. There was no anxiety at all when the barista called her name.

“Capachinno, please, and a latte, I’m meeting somebody.” She smiled, “Oh, and I love your earrings!”
The barista behind the bench blushed a little and played with one of the golden hoops.

“Thanks! Coming right up.”

Caleb waited a moment, then thanked the barista again as she grabbed the two warm cups and made her way over to a table in the corner. This was the same coffee shop she’d fled only a few months ago. What a change. Even though her body was totally different, Claeb couldn’t help but reflect on her personality more than anything. 

Her anxiety wasn’t gone, but it was tempered, like a sleeping beast that would only rouse once in a blue moon. She finally had the life she’d always wanted: friends, a social life, contentment and of course, a girlfriend. 

“Sorry, I’m late!” Called Tracey as she walked in with a tinkle of the bell. “Oh you ordered for me, thank you!”

She was dressed in her security uniform. Only Tracey could make those black slacks and tight blue shirt look sexy. She walked over and placed a kiss on her cheek. 

“Let’s walk through the park,” Caleb suggested, “I have some nervous energy to walk off.”

Tracey squeezed her arm and nodded. The two of them took the long way around, through the nearby park. It was a windy day, and Caleb could feel her long hair moving in the breeze. It felt oddly relaxing, just another little thing to appreciate about her new life. The office wasn’t far, and even though she’d walked the lobby a hundred times, it still felt surreal, because this time, she was heading upstairs. Dustin was at the security gate and grinned when he saw them both coming.  

“Well, if it isn’t our favourite accountant. Ready to head up to your new office?” 

“Nervous, apparently the team up there is pretty substantial.”

“Seven. Seven whole people you can actually see and talk to rather than being stuck in that dusty old basement.” Dustin said. “It’ll be great!”

“I hope I make a good impression.”

“I know you will.” Tracey kissed her on the cheek. “Now off you go!”

“Just make sure people know you already have a lady,” Dustin warned as she swiped her pass. “We don’t want any more broken hearts. Steve still hasn't recovered.”

They all rolled their eyes. Steven loved to tease and moan at their lunches, pretending to be heartbroken that both girls in the group ended up with each other instead of him. Caleb made a mental note to see if there was anybody single in accounting who might suit him. 

The move had been a big deal. Even after deciding to stay a woman and take Ashley Tyler’s lessons to heart, she had been hesitant to leave her little cupboard downstairs. Then, when the email came through about a new accounting position, Tracey encouraged her to try it. 

“It’s still lots of math, you’d be great, and you know the company prefers internal hires where they can.”

Still, she could hardly believe it when the acceptance email landed in her inbox. She was going upstairs to be with people, a real part of the company. Maybe for anybody else, it wouldn't be a big deal, but to Caleb, it felt monumental. Tracey squeezed her arm, and Dustin gave her a big thumbs up as she stepped through the gate and onto the elevator.

“See you at lunch!”

“Tell us how it goes!”

The doors closed and Caleb allowed herself a moment of quiet anxiety before letting out a deep breath as the doors opened. She stepped out onto the accounting floor; head held high, heels clicking on the tiles and hips swaying in her tight pencil skirt. She was ready. 

“Ah, Caleb I presume?” A blonde haired man in a crisp suit greeted. “The new hire?”

“Just came from downstairs.” She smiled back, offering her hand. “Happy to be here.”

“Come, I’ll introduce you to the team. I’m Derrick, and this is Sandra.” 

He waved a hand over to a dark-haired woman sitting at the first desk, who waved.

“So glad to get another girl in this sausage fest of a department.” She said with an eyeroll. “We’re outnumbered, I hope you came prepared.”

“Always.” Caleb giggled.

“Caleb.” Sandra said slowly, “Odd name for a woman.”

Darrick rolled his eyes.

“Oh my God, Sandra. You can’t just tell people their name is weird. Especially on the first day.”

“Mom and dad were eccentric, I guess.” Caleb shrugged.

“Is it genetic?” Sandra teased, and Caleb gave her a wink.

“Only a little.”

A groan went up from a nearby desk.

“Oh god, there’s two of them now.”

“Another Sandra, wonderful.”

Their tones were teasing, and Caleb giggled as Sandra whispered.

“See? Outnumbered.”

Caleb was slowly introduced to the rest of her team, who sly jokes aside, all seemed to get along. After a few minutes, Darrick left her and she settled down at her new desk to get acquainted with her position's duties. She saw her face reflected in the black screen of the monitor and spent a moment taking it in. The soft features, the full lips, the confident smile still on her face, because it wanted to be there, not because she’d forced it. 

Quietly, she took out the Ashley Tyler CD and placed it at the bottom of her desk. She didn't need to listen to it anymore, but seeing that face served as a reminder of just how far she’d come. She gave Ashley one final look before closing the drawer and turning back to her new station. 

She’d just met seven new people, made small talk with them effortlessly, and even made a new friend if her instincts were right. The world was friendly, and Caleb felt at home in her own skin. More than she ever had in her life before. With a grin, she leaned down and booted up the computer. It was time to get to work. 

The End