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y143|d36 - Packing for NY (Part 1/2)

Willow sat on the edge of her bed, her suitcase open beside her. She stared at the clothes scattered across the bed, struggling to decide what to pack for New York. Since this was her first time attending, she wasn’t entirely sure what to expect from the literary expo. There were the meetings with publishers she’d scheduled over email, but beyond that, there was a long list of workshops, networking events, and panels she had no idea how to navigate. Everything sounded interesting, yet it was all a bit overwhelming. Four days, jam-packed with activities.

Her phone buzzed on the nightstand. A quick check revealed another email about the upcoming event, so she skimmed it and confirmed the details again—her ticket was ready, and Stella had handled the hotel booking. Still, Willow found herself double-checking everything, as if she might have missed something important.

She reached for a dress she’d considered for the first day, holding it up in front of her. It was more formal than what she’d pictured herself wearing. She let out a frustrated sigh and set it aside, then picked up a blouse and a pair of trousers instead. Maybe she’d pack both? Some of the networking events were in the evenings, and she wasn’t sure what the etiquette was—should she dress up, or would it be more relaxed?

“I just want to feel comfortable…” she murmured, eyeing the blouse.

Willow glanced at the schedule again. Pitching to publishers was the big moment, but she wasn’t sure if she was ready. What if she froze? Or stumbled over her words? Or blurted out something silly just because she was nervous? She was about to present her work to some of the biggest names in the industry, and it made her… anxious. This was a huge opportunity, but could she make the right impression?

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