I ignored everyone who spoke to me when I stormed my way through the office after lunch. My face was stone cold again, as it has been for over a year now. I sat back down at my desk and dove into my work until it was time for me to head home.

At six, I gathered my things and walked toward the exit. I fumbled with my keys as I ran into someone. I knocked them straight to the ground with a hard thud as I'm still standing peering down to the figure.

“Damn it watch where you are going!” the guy snapped at me as he looked up at me. I stare at him with a blank face. I don't respond as I step around him.

“Uh, a sorry is an appropriate response when running someone over like a freight train.” the man yelled to me.

I stop and turn to meet his gaze. His light brown eyes were raging, his blonde hair pulled back in a bun was messy, and his brows were pushed together in anger. His build was very similar to mine, but even as he sits on the ground, it looks like I had a good few inches on him. I took one more glance at his eyes before turning away and walking home. No need to argue with a complete stranger over something stupid.

“Prick.” I hear the guy say, “Does not matter how shitty a day you had, you don't get to be an asshole to people.”

I chuckle and turn to him once more, “I'm sorry princess. Didn't mean to get your panties is a wad.” I walked back to him, reached out my hand. He takes my hand and hoists himself up.

He glared at me then chuckles and reties his hair, “I'll take it. Even though it was a shitty apology.”

I roll my eyes and turn back to walk home, “Wasn't an apology idiot.”

“You still said sorry dumbass,” I hear him yell at me as I turn the corner.

Once I made it home, I went straight to my made shift work out area. I turned up heavy metal music, ripped off my clothes, threw on a pair of shorts, hopped on my stationary bike, then I started pedaling and I didn't stop. I didn't stop when my phone rang, I didn't stop when my stomach growled, I didn't stop when I reached mile 15. Being lost in thought does that though. Time and surroundings become a blur. "Find an outlet. Something that makes you feel you. Instead of an unhealthy habit, replace it with something that can benefit you." 

I kept pedaling until my legs were numb to where I couldn't even feel them moving any more. I slowly cooled down and pulled myself off of the machine. Somehow, I made it to my bed. I looked at my phone and realized I missed a call from Sergeant.

“I’ll see him tomorrow. If it was that important, he would have called me twice.” I plugged my phone up, set my alarm, and drifted into a light slumber.

The next morning, I woke up early for once. I made my breakfast to go, packed my lunch, and gym bag with my work clothes. I grabbed my bike off the wall and headed down the stairs. I tied everything to my bike securely and made my way to work. 

I ride when I leave early enough, but lately a case has been eating into the late night that I sleep as long as I can before I rush to work. But since I had time today, a bike ride sounded great. My legs were still sore from my late night workout but I don’t care. I love the wind in my face and the burn in my legs. Today is a beautiful day, sunny and warm but not hot. As I ride through traffic and pedestrians, my brain is not overthinking for once and my mind feels clear. I felt really good as I parked my bike on the bike rail. I made my way to the locker rooms to shower and change into my uniform. Once I was fresh and ready for the day, I sat at my desk, ate breakfast and waited for the Sergeant to come in.

“Lt. Mala! My office now.” Oh, speak of the devil. I thought to myself with a chuckle. I made my way to his office and sat down. “Good morning sir.”

“Why the hell did you not answer when I called last night?” he said sternly as he sat at his desk.

“Sorry sir, I was on my bike and I didn't hear my phone ring. When I finally glanced at it, it was late. Sorry sir.” I apologized.

He glanced over me for a second before sighing. “Alright, I wanted to warn you before today but you give me no choice. You have a new partner.”

I stared at him. I chuckled. “That's funny, sir. Now what is really going on?”

He glared at me in silence.

My stomach falls out of my butt, “You are not joking are you?”

He grinned, “Nope.” he dialed a number on his phone. “ Lt. Chelf, can you please come to my office?” He hung the phone up and within seconds the door opened.

“Ah, Lt. Chelf, this is Lt. Mala. Your new partner.”

I stood and glanced over at where the man was standing. I groaned as I met brown eyes, blonde hair in a bun, and brows pushed together in humor.

“Lt. Joziah Chelf.” he stretched his hand to me with a grin.

I glanced at his hand and back to his face.

“Lt. Zaire Mala.” I firmly grasped his hand.

“Good to see you again.” He whispers.

I nod and drop his hand. 

“Now, get out of my office and do your patrol today. Lt. Mala, are you all done with the Mattington Case report?”

I nodded, “Yes, sir.”

“Good, also…” I glanced back at Sergeant Rogers, “How many miles did you do last night?” he looked up at me with a smirk.

I grinned widely, “After I finished. Total of 25. In under 2 hours.”

“Nice.” He turned to his computer as I shut the door.