It was yet another hot summer morning as he walked to the entrance of the company’s building, just like he had done over the past three years since he started working there. Three years already… But even that fleeting thought wasn’t enough to distract him from what was actually bothering him since that weekend. He heard himself let out a deep sigh, his shoulders rising and falling with his breath.

“Wow, that was a very dramatic sigh.” Elias felt a hand on his shoulder, turning to see Adam giving him a sympathetic smile. “Everything alright?” Asked the man who was slightly shorter than his bespectacled friend.

“Hey.” Elias smiled faintly before letting out another sigh unwillingly. “Sorry, I have some stuff going on with Jamie and it has me a little worried.”

“Is the little man in trouble?” Adam raised a brow, walking through the building’s entrance with his coworker.

The lobby was busy with the arriving employees, supervisors and suppliers. The lady at the counter smiled politely at them as they walked past the chaos and into the offices.

“We had a bit of a misunderstanding last weekend and I thought we cleared the whole mess up, but he’s been distant.” Elias admitted, walking down the room full of cubicles.

“I’ve known you guys since you started working here and this is the first time I hear something like this.” Adam said, raising a hand to his chin in thought.

“That’s why I’m at a loss.” Elias sighed yet again. “I thought it would be alright after Mia and I apologized, but he’s still awkward with me and he hasn’t been talking to her as much either.”

“Who’s Mia?” Adam asked, turning a corner to the end of the room.

“Oh, she’s a friend.” Elias explained.

“So there’s someone else involved.” Adam pondered. “Well, Jamie isn’t one to hold grudges, and if you already apologized, he’ll come around soon.”

“I guess so.” Elias slid his black backpack off his shoulder, tucking it under a white desk before reaching to turn on the computer that rested there. The room was covered in the soft hum of several other computers starting jingles and the noise of chairs rolling.

“I’m sure you guys will get over it.” Adam reassured, sitting on the desk neighboring Elias’. “I did notice you a little down, but I figured you had just gone to visit your family.”

“Do I really look that miserable when I do?” Elias looked at his neighbor with a downcast expression, his already droopy eyes seemed to have fallen lower. The scowl he wore somehow gave him a mature air, contrasting his usually curved lips to a small smile.

“I never said miserable, I said down.” Adam cleared, looking for something on his screen. “Anyway, wanna listen to some good news to brighten up your day?”

“I’d love that.” Elias laughed in a quiet tone, also scrolling and clicking his mouse.

“Sophie and I started the adoption process.”

Both of them sat unmoving. Elias slowly turned to the man on his side, who was looking at his screen, trying but failing to stop his lips from reaching his ears.

“Dude!” Elias pushed his chair back as he shot up, causing others to turn their way. “That’s amazing!” He heard murmurs and shuffling around the room, but ignored it.

“Thanks!” Adam laughed, letting Elias pull him into a hug. “We’re nervous as heck, but we’re hopeful.”

“I’m sure it’ll work out.” Elias patted his friend’s back.

As they stepped away from each other, others had already gathered around them to also give their best wishes to Adam. Elias smiled as he watched Adam being smothered in hugs and kind words. He definitely deserved that and more.

***

Adam’s news did improve his mood, and even the atmosphere in the office had been light and uplifting, but now as he drove away from work, his stomach churned as he remembered the text Jamie had sent him earlier.

‘Let’s go to madame moon tonight!

Citara’s singing and it could be fun!

What do you say? Wanna go?’

He was happy that Jamie had sent him such a natural text, but he wasn’t so sure about seeing the girls after what happened last weekend. It’s not that he wanted to avoid them, but he would like to settle things with Jamie first. But then again, maybe talking with Mia would be better.

She told him what had happened that made Jamie so upset, but maybe she had missed a few details in her messages. It was always better to talk face to face after all.

Stirring his wheel, he parked at the side of the road and typed.

'Where are you right now?

I’ll pick you up in ten'