Caught

"Ramona, you can go on break now," said Anita as Ramona returned to the bar. Ramona sighed in relief, leaving the floor and heading for the back to eat the leftovers from her lunch. She looked down to make sure she hadn’t forgotten to tie her shoelaces like yesterday, only to watch her feet trip over themselves, with the rest of her body following, as she headed face first for the floor. She closed her eyes as she braced herself for impact, but instead she felt strong arms wrap around her. Ramona opened her eyes to see the black shoes and black pants belonging to a male. And considering there was no paint mark on them, it must be Miles. He had been working there for three days, and this was the fourth time he had caught her. She decided to keep track after today since it was looking to be a regular thing.

"Sorry," she whispered as he moved her back to standing position.

"No worries."

Miles passed by her, heading back to the floor.

"T-THANK you…," she yelled out, accompanied by a quick bow.

"For saving me," she added in a whisper. Miles looked at her, confused, walking back towards her.

"Thank you for saving me," she whispered again, Miles smiling.

"No worries, I'm glad I was able to catch you when I did."

Ramona smiled, looking down at his shoes.

"I'm Ramona Mori. Sorry for the late introduction." She stuck out her hand to shake.

"Miles Sonata, a pleasure to work with you. You on break now?"

Ramona nodded.

"Then I won't keep you. Move slowly and you probably won't trip."

He waved before walking off.

"I don't mean to trip," she yelled, clenching the hem of her apron.

Miles looked back.

"I've always been clumsy, sometimes it’s worse than others. So, I'm sorry if my clumsiness is bothering you."

"No, not at all. As I said, I'm glad I can save you before anything bad happens. How you have managed to work here this long is amazing."

"I started working here last spring. So not too long."

"That's still pretty amazing."

"T-that's why I want to get better at not being clumsy and properly speaking to people so they can hear me. And working here is helping me."

"I'm sure with practice you will get better. And I'll still be there to catch you, so don't worry too much."

Ramona smiled, unable to look him in the eye.

"Thank you. Please take care of me." She bowed.

"Will do. I look forward to seeing you grow, Ramona," he wished her, before realizing that it sounded odd.

"I mean, grow as in moving past your clumsiness or quiet voice, not that there is anything wrong with that. Well, the clumsiness could be haphazard, but your voice…" He trailed off as a cute noise interrupted him. He looked over to see Ramona covering her mouth and stifling her giggles.

He smiled.

"I look forward to working with you and helping you with your clumsiness," he amended his comment.

Ramona stopped her giggling, her cheeks turning pink.

"I-I look forward to working with you too."

They both bowed. Miles turned and headed back to work, leaving Ramona to walk to the breakroom. She almost ran into the doorpost, but barely managed to avoid it in time.

She took her lunch from the girl's locker room and sat down to eat, smiling as she thought, "I was finally able to thank him properly."