Office Talk

The night was indeed sleepless and when I left my apartment I was a wreck. I was still determined to talk to her though, as I knew that she should be working today. Today I was finally entering the shop for real. I realised that talking to someone about something like this at their place of work was also not a great thing to do, but I couldn't really help it. Waiting for her until she got off work or trying to find out where she lived after I got to know her name definitely sounded much worse though, so going to the shop it was.

When I arrived at work I was greeted by Aoto, as always.

„Did you watch the game last night?“ he asked like he did so often. It was more of a rhethorical question at this point.

„Game? What?“ I stuttered confused as my mind was preoccupied. Then it came back to me that there was indeed a game I missed yesterday, as I usually watched baseball after dance practice.

„So you didn't watch it?“ asked Aoto and the look on his face made it seem like some important pillar of his faith was crumbling before his very eyes.

„Sorry, I was tired after my dancing class yesterday and went right to bed.“ I answered not very convincingly and Aoto picked right up on that.

„For someone who got a lot of sleep you look a right mess. Sure there wasn't something else going on? Not that it's any of my business of course, but you missing a game seems very unusual.“

I looked very intently at some random papers on my desk as I struggled to give an answer that would both satisfy Aoto and not lead to any more weird rumours.

„I had some thinking to do.“ was the lame answer I came up with.

„Oh, that seems even more unusual. What about then?“ Of course he wouldn't let it go so easily.

I still stared at the papers in my desk, with the stapler starting to look increasingly interesting as well. As I didn't give an answer Aoto kept digging my grave.

"Look, statistically speaking, knowing you there are not too many things that would keep you awake at night. If it's not baseball, it's probably girl trouble, isn't it. You told me you sad some girlfriends in the past, but it never sounded like one of them would have kept you awake at night."

Aoto was right about me having a couple girlfriends in high school and college. Apparently I was attractive enough to garner the attention of girls and if I felt like going out with one of them, I did. It never lasted long and when we broke up, I never really felt that sad. I would never have said I was in love with any of them, although I might have said things to that effect to get my way. But I also never had the feeling that the girls were too heartbroken either and I think there was a mutual understanding to not take things too seriously.

I sighed and decided that I had to at least give away a little bit to get him of my back, even though I was fully aware that Aoto himself was the source of many a rumour at this office.

"Look, you are right. There is a girl I like, but I never spoke to her. Yesterday we met by coincidence, but it didn't go very well."

A huge smile crept up on Aotos face as he realised he hit the nail on the head. I usually didn't tend to have violent tendencies or did get enraged easily, but I really wanted to lay my hands around his neck and choke him to shut him up at this moment. But he would probably take it with a smile, knowing that statistics once again trumped over feelings.

"Look at that, Mr. Stoic is in love. Must be quite serious if it keeps you up at night. But I have mercy with you for today and won't probe any further, so see you later."

Thankfully he actually started to walk away, although mercy probably meant starting to tell others about my predicament immediately, but I was just glad to have him gone for the moment.

„Oh, one more thing.“ I said to Aoto as he was already almost at the door.

„What is it?“He looked back surprised.

„Did they suck yesterday?“ A big smile appeared on Aotos face.

„Oh, you better believe they did.“ he answered laughing as he left the room.

I was finally alone again, but that didn't really help much with my actual problem. I still had to get through the whole day and then do the actual hard part, talk to Sophia. Maybe I should have called in sick for the day and go to the shop as soon as possible, but I didn't even know when she was starting to work every day.

Time moved predictably slow today and later on I heard through the grapevine that my new nickname at the office apparently was Romeo and I internally cursed Aoto. Thankfully he didn't show up again, but I was sure he enjoyed himself a lot knowing that he made my life just that little bit more miserable.

But finally the day was done and as I was packing up my things I realised my hand was shaking and the knowledge that this talk might end up determining a big part of my future came to the forefront. I decided to not dwell on it any and basically ran out of the office before anyone could come talk to me to delay my escape.