Chapter Eight: "Building Bridges, Breaking Walls"
Andra took the job at the photography studio.
It wasn't the easiest transition. She had to balance her classes, tutoring, and now the part-time assistant position. But the studio was a haven of sorts. The work was creative, involving organizing shoots, assisting with lighting, and sometimes even helping clients choose outfits for their sessions.
The pay was decent. Not a fortune, but enough to keep things running smoothly at home.
What surprised Andra the most, however, was how comfortable she was there. There was something freeing about being in an environment where no one knew her past, where she wasn't just someone's daughter or Kingsley's mom. She was simply Andra, a woman carving her own path.
The photographer, Rachael, was a kind woman in her mid-thirties, and she noticed Andra's potential right away. They quickly became friends, and Rachael often gave her advice about business and life. It was Rachael who suggested that Andra take a photography workshop to build her skills further.
"Maybe you could make this your thing," Rachael said, glancing at Andra's work organizing the photoshoot. "You've got the eye for it."
Andra hesitated. "Maybe."
But she couldn't stop thinking about it. For the first time, the idea of her future felt less like a dream and more like something she could touch.