And work had finally ended. I checked the time and sighed as I finished taking off my uniform, it’s ten minutes past five. Too much interacting today, I’m tired.

I took my hair out of the bun that I put it in before I started and tied it back to how it was originally. Then got out my medication, taking out my water bottle, I then took the pill as always.

After making sure I had everything, I was going to leave, but was stopped by someone.

I jumped as I felt someone tap my shoulder, turning around, I found that it was Claire, a person that works with me.

“Oh, sorry for scaring you August. I was going to ask if you wanted a lift, you know, since you live a bit far from here.”

I didn’t hesitate to say my answer, but I have to put it in a way that isn’t offensive. “No, it’s fine. I don’t live that far, it’ll just take about an hour, so it’s okay.”

“But by the time you get back it will already be dark! It’s dangerous for you to just walk home. Come on, I insist.”

I was going to say no again but figured she probably wouldn’t give up.

Claire is a nice person, we started working here around the same time. She’s in her late twenties, not sure how old exactly though, I don’t pay attention to people a lot.

“Sure.. guess there’s no harm in that.”

Once again, she’s a nice person, but our personalities do not clash at all. She’s a bit too talkative and when we talk it’s usually hard for me to keep up, nevertheless, I don’t always mind her company. She’s part of the very small amount of people that I could say I’m friends with, or at least enjoy the company of.

“Great! Let’s go then, my car isn’t parked too far from here.”

I nodded and we both left.

I don’t like doing these things. I really am not good with people.

We were both in her car, driving in complete silence. It’s not the first time that she’s dropping me off so she knows where to go.

“So how have you been lately?”

I was a bit startled by her question, as I was busy going into my own world while staring at the window.

“Huh? Oh, I.. I’ve been okay I suppose. What about you?”

“Good! The only bad thing is that I got into another fight with him, but other than that I’ve actually been doing great.”

“Again?” I turned away from the window to face her once she said that. “You’re okay, right?”

“I am. It wasn’t that bad, I’m staying with a friend until he cools down. So don’t worry about it, please.”

I nodded.

Claire and I have only known each other for a bit more than a year. But I do know that she is in a relationship with a guy named Jared. From what I’ve been told, he seems like a bad person and I don’t think she should be with him. But that’s my opinion and it isn’t really any of my business to ask her to break up with him.

“August, seriously speaking though. You have been doing good, right? I know with your anxiety and all that it’s pretty hard for you.”

I smiled a bit, not looking in her direction but turning my attention back outside. “I’m doing just fine. The usual, nothing different.”

She has good intentions, I guess I don’t mind if she asks me these types of things. Then again, if I hadn’t taken my medication earlier, this probably would have gone differently.

I started to see my apartment building in the distance. Was this ride shorter than I thought? Or was it maybe longer?

Not sure.

As the car started to slow down, I made sure that I had everything with me.

Once it stopped, I took my bag and spoke again.

“Well, thank you for the ride Claire.”

“It’s no problem, you know I don’t mind doing it.” She smiled at me, I slightly smiled back, closing the car door.

I waved at her as she drove away while I went inside the building.

. . .

I locked the door once I stepped inside.

As I leaned against the now closed door, I let out a loud sigh. Before realising the shortness of breath that had occurred. When it continued like that after waiting a few seconds, I took my quick relief inhaler out of my bag and used it.

Taking another breath, before I opened my eyes I sighed once again, still leaning against the door. Stairs are a pain. 

Standing up straight again, I headed back to my bedroom.

When I got there, I just fell face-first onto my bed. A long sigh escaping my mouth again.

I’m sighing a lot today, aren’t I?

Well, not really much different from the usual.