theme: shoulder pads

An aching, defeated sensation was present in Eileen as she sat, slumped over, at a bus stop.

This had been her fourth attempt in a row at the same job.

The job she had yearned for since she was a young girl; a full-fledged career as an astrologist.

She had even worn her mother's old suit, hoping to leave a more dignified impression on her interviewers. Why couldn't anyone hire her? Eileen, if anything, had more than enough experience to qualify for her dream job.

She combed her fingers through her gel-heavy bangs.

Back to the drawing board.. yet again.

"Eileen? Is that you?"

From the corner of her eye, a brown figure approached her.

She merely blinked in response. She had been too busy dwelling on her failure that she hadn't even realized who had called her name.

"Oh," she replied, straightening her posture. "I didn't notice you there, Rigby."

He shot her a sideways glance before taking a seat next to her on the bench.

"What are you doing here downtown?" Eileen questioned her friend. Rigby lifted a torn plastic bag up to his lap.

"Just bought a new game. What are you doing here?" he answered, checking her up and down. "No wait, let me guess- trying out for lead clown at the circus?"

Eileen playfully punched him in the arm. "No! I was just at an interview.. for, y'know.. a job."

He fidgeted with the cushions encircling her neck. "So that's why you're wearing shoulder pads?"

She brushed his hands off, slightly embarrassed. "I forgot to take those out. This used to be my moms', you know.. I just want to leave a good impression!"

"Well, I dunno that much about job interviews and that crap," Rigby said, picking his teeth with his right pinky. "But you should try to be yourself or whatever."

Eileen shrugged. "I suppose you're right. Thanks for the advice."

"No problem- how do you think you did.. anyways?"

The mole woman couldn't help but notice his eyes separate contact from hers.

She let out an anguished sigh before replying. "Poorly. I doubt that I'll get the job."

"Well, cheer up, man! You still work a solid job at the Coffee Shop. Plus, if it makes you feel better, it... er, would be too different without you there," he told her, trailing off into a murmur.

Eileen perked up. "Really?"

"Yeah. Mordecai and Margaret would probably make out (or something) the whole time I'm there. Ew," Rigby explained. "I'd want someone chill to talk to."

"Woah. I've never thought about it like that," she said, giving him a tremendous smile. "Thank-you. That really cheered me up."

"No problem- and hey!" he exclaimed, getting up. "Looks like your ride is here. See ya tomorrow, Eileen!"

As Eileen headed steadily into the bus, she quickly turned back to Rigby once more. He was walking away, bag in hand.

She felt rejuvenated.

Maybe working at the Coffee Shop wasn't such a bad thing after all.

A/N: ehe. sorry for more wait. i'm running an ask eileen blog now on tumblr, which seems to take a lot out of me

My sincerest apologies, readers.