Note: This one’s a little longer than usual… I figured I owed you after such a long absence of new episodes!

[ Need to catch up? See a list of episodes or check out the recap! ]

Wearing a cute tennis skirt and wielding a racket, Sophie stands inside her apartment with one ear pressed to the front door. After a while, she glances at her watch. Ten minutes late and she hasn’t even left yet. Reggie’s going to kill her.

At last she hears footsteps in the hallway and breathes a sigh of relief. “Finally!”

The footsteps grow louder. They pause outside Sophie’s door. Then they start again, and fade away. There is the faint scrape of a key fitting into a lock. A door opens with a soft creak, and then closes with a loud one.

After another minute, Sophie unlocks her own door and steps out.

“You’re late.”

Sophie jumps. A short woman with an angry mop of hair is glaring at her. “Yes, actually, I am. So I’ll talk to you later, bye!”

The woman grabs her arm. “Nice try. Where’s your rent?”

“Eh heh… I thought I paid this month. No?”

“No. Not this month, not last month, and not the month before.” The landlady crosses her arms across her generous, bathrobe-covered bosom. “Which means that, if you don’t pay me in the next 15 days, I can — and will — evict you.” Her menacing smile reveals crooked teeth. “Got it?”

Sophie swallows. “Got it.”

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Note: Yes, I am totally copping out. Hey, the Kenyon Review Writers Workshop is hardcore! But hopefully this will be helpful to those of you who are new(ish) to the series.

Previously on Twenty-Somewhere…

Best friends since high school, Claudia, MJ and Sophie get together for one last hurrah after their college graduations, and before dispersing to the Midwest, England, and… well, Sophie stays in Texas. As twenty-something women, they of course have boy problems. And noteworthy encounters with their neighbors. And Sophie and Claudia struggle to find what what they want professionally, while MJ is overwhelmed by her romantic options. Then MJ catches up on the career dilemma, and Sophie flips out at the grocery store. MJ realizes that she has something to prove, but also that that’s not always a bad thing.

The super-hot Diego comes to work at Arden Advertising — just as Sophie is about to quit! At Christmas, MJ experiences airport hell, Claudia gets stranded on the side of the road, and Sophie invites Diego to dinner. Things really start to heat up between them at the office New Year’s party… but then Sophie’s ex-boyfriend X sends her a message! What’s a girl to do?

Confused, Sophie avoids Diego; meanwhile Claudia meets with a successful writer and it isn’t what she expects. Even less expected is MJ’s run in with the gorgeous Dr. Dashing! Nervously, the girls all confront their problems: for Claudia it’s writing, for Sophie it’s Diego, and for MJ it’s her “dashing” supervisor. A combination of good and bad surprises end up showing the girls who they rely on now.

Claudia’s mom pays a visit before the dreaded Valentine’s Day — will Sophie spend it with Diego or X?! After a bit of romance, the girls all face a hard return to the real, working world… which results in Sophie quitting, MJ swearing off guys, and Claudia making a promise she may not be able to keep. As usual, complications arise. And Sophie and MJ have boy problems again.

Things begin to look up when Claudia makes a new writer friend, MJ realizes she might have romantic feelings her lab partner, and Sophie takes advice from her (AWESOME) friend Reggie… But of course things never go as smoothly as we’d like. Sophie decides to just be friends with Diego and X, but then she turns into a third wheel! She also starts an (anonymous!) fashion blog to escape the frustrations of looking for a new job.

Meanwhile, Claudia finds out her writer friend has been hiding publication opportunities, and MJ tries not to ruin Felix’s new relationship. Things don’t go too well. But Sophie, on the other hand, is beginning to find success with her blog. In fact, her former employer Arden Advertising wants to partner with this hot young Capital S — but they don’t know it’s her! Plus Claudia confronts her writer friend and gets an unexpected explanation, and MJ finds herself at the mercy of the girl she stole Felix from.

PHEW! I know it’s a lot, but now you’re all caught up with the zany adventures of Claudia, MJ, and Sophie, the girls of Twenty-Somewhere!

[ Need to catch up on 20SW? See a list of all episodes. ]

To: Capital S
From: R. Walker

As an avid reader, I have seen the tremendous growth of your site and been very impressed by the personality, expertise, and insight you demonstrate on a daily basis. As an account manager at Arden Advertising, I am writing to see if you had any interest in corporate sponsorship. My client, Forward Fashions, would be happy to gift you with any of their innovative clothes, provided that you shared your love of these items with your followers.

Sophie laughs. “Avid reader? You couldn’t even remember her name!”

“Shut up,” Reggie growls over the phone. “Does it sound good or what?”

“Yeah, it’s great. You get an A+ in professional butt kissing.”

Reggie hangs up without saying thanks.

A minute later, Sophie’s computer beeps. She has a new email. Well, an old email, but at a new address. The fake address she made to keep her identity as Capital S a secret.

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[ Need to catch up on 20SW? See a list of all episodes. ]

Dear Internet,

Wow, I can’t believe how fast this blog has grown! Seems like just yesterday I was rambling to an audience of, well, no one, and now 1,500 of you (daily!!) enjoy my fashion commentaries. It’s sort of ridiculous, but awesome. I’m honored and humbled, and I thank you.

But enough gushing. Check out these beautiful dresses by Mitza Mitali. She’s an unknown, but not for long. In her new collection you can find the perfect outfit for every summer occasion, from that awkward work bbq, to your jerk ex-boyfriend’s wedding. And trust me, if you’re wearing Mitza, he won’t even notice his bride. ;]

Signed with love & sass!
Capital S

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[ Need to catch up on 20SW? See a list of all episodes. ]

On Monday, Ramona calls Claudia to ask if they can meet at a local ice cream parlor instead of the library. “You had me at ice cream,” Claudia says.

As they eat spoonfuls of mint chocolate and black raspberry chip, Ramona explains the change in venue. “I won.”

Claudia smiles, uncomprehending.

“The Word Beneath Your Wings contest. Round trip tickets to anywhere? I won!”

Eyes wide, Claudia begins to squeal. “Seriously? Oh my god, that’s fantastic!” They jump up and hug, swaying from side to side in their excitement.

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