# Read the first page of The Girl I Was by Jeneva Rose Read the opening of The Girl I Was by Jeneva Rose free, no signup. Expanded edition of the author's first novel. - Page: https://uncovered.ink/read/the-girl-i-was-jeneva-rose - Genre: Thriller - Year: 2025 - ISBN: 9780369775269 - Read it blind (cover and title hidden): https://uncovered.ink/?b=9780369775269&s=read-page - Buy: https://bookshop.org/a/125786/9780369775269 - Borrow: https://search.worldcat.org/search?q=9780369775269 ## The opening Tapping my fingertips against the desk, I watch the clock in the lower right-hand corner of my computer screen. They don’t make the cute nail clicking sound though because I’m prone to chewing them off. I’ve tried to stop biting them many times throughout my thirty-some-odd years, but it’s no use—they always find their way back to my teeth, ready for slaughter. My workday ends in two minutes, but right now, it feels like an eternity because I’m eager to get home and get ready for a special date my boyfriend, Andrew, has planned. I don’t know what we’re doing, but he told me to dress nice, so I need time to try on at least ten different outfits—although I’ll likely settle on my first choice. The sound of drawers opening and closing in nearby cubicles pulls me out of my daze. Feet shuffle and laughter ensues, signaling the end of the work week. My hand flies to my computer mouse and just as I’m about to log out, an email with the subject line “PLEASE COME TO HR” appears at the top of my inbox. I nearly groan at the interruption to the start of my weekend, but my eyes flick to the calendar pinned to the wall of my cubicle, catching the words written and highlighted on Monday’s date: “1 year work anniversary!” I can’t help but smile at the sight of it, especially paired with the email from human resources. Most people don’t want to hear from HR, unless of course they’re a contract employee who was told their position would become permanent after a year of employment. That would be me! Alexis Spencer, contract social media manager, but soon-to-be-permanent social media manager. HR must want to give me the good news going into the weekend. How thoughtful of them. After nearly a year of responding to social media comments from consumers complaining about the ply of their toilet paper or the absorbency of their menstrual products, I’ve certainly earned this. I look fondly at the small succulent sitting on my desk. It was a gift from Andrew when I first landed this job. He said it was supposed to bring me success because it’s a succulent. I’m not sure if that’s a real superstition or he made it up, but I loved it either way. “Today’s the day, Sucky.” I rub one of the thick, fleshy leaves between my fingers for luck. And yes, the name I gave it should tell you all you will ever need to know about me. Andrew is going to be so proud, especially considering I haven’t given him much to be proud of over the years. Since graduating college nearly a decade ago, I’ve gone from temp job to no job to temp job to no job to temp job, and so forth—but that all changes today. Smiling, I stand from my chair and make my way to the human resources department. I walk with purpose, now that I have one. If any of my coworkers were still here, they’d see a whole new woman—head held high, and shoulders pinned back. Outside of the HR director’s office, I knock twice. “Come in,” Janet calls out, her voice muffled by the solid wood door that’s intentionally there to keep conversations within the walls of her office confidential. I enter and find Janet sitting behind her desk. She’s plump with dark eyes and a permanent scowl, which I assume comes with the job. “Hi, I got an email requesting that I come to HR,” I say, trying to hide my excitement with a casual smile. She clears her throat and shuffles a few file folders. “Yes. Alexis Spencer.” Janet gestures for me to sit. ## Books with a similar feel - [First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston](https://uncovered.ink/read/first-lie-wins-ashley-elston.md) - [The Wife Between Us by Greer Hendricks](https://uncovered.ink/read/the-wife-between-us-greer-hendricks.md) - [The It Girl by Ruth Ware](https://uncovered.ink/read/the-it-girl-ruth-ware.md) - [The Girls in the Garden by Lisa Jewell](https://uncovered.ink/read/the-girls-in-the-garden-lisa-jewell.md) - [The Guest List by Lucy Foley](https://uncovered.ink/read/the-guest-list-lucy-foley.md) - [Billy Summers by Stephen King](https://uncovered.ink/read/billy-summers-stephen-king.md) --- Source: Uncovered (https://uncovered.ink). A short sample shown for reading and discovery. Rights holders can request removal at https://uncovered.ink/takedown.