“I know that’s a point of contention, but we split the burden across all branches.” I said, trying to remain unfazed. “Anyway, it’s your choice. We can work a bit later today or we can come to work tomorrow.”

The commotion was immediate. Some people followed Miles to the kitchen, some just furrowed their eyebrows and started making calls. In the end, no one enjoys working on a Saturday, so they agreed on staying late.

I went back to my office, still waiting for that coffee. There were some papers to organize and shred, my favorite part. It was like all that data, all that mess of words and numbers, meant nothing. Of course, I had stored all of that on a computer already. So I watched that paper gobbler turn all those words into nice, meaningless slips of paper.

Yet no matter how much I organized, there was always more. I love organizing, much more than telling people what to do. But can’t there just be a moment where nothing happens? I work every single day of the week. On the weekends, I work from home, tying the loose knots. It’s not like there’s anything else for me to do.

I don’t have a party to go to like Tina has. She’s always wearing shades on Mondays. Even Ned posted on Facebook, photos from a con he took part in. Meanwhile, the last party I went to was what... 2 years ago, with Lils.

The phone rang as soon as I thought of her name. I hear that ring so often, my hair stands up before it even comes. I pushed the button after three rings and said, “What’s up Lisa?” waiting for her tiny voice on the other end.

Our secretary was little. Sometimes she spoke so softly it was hard for the phone to pick up, so I always made absolute silence while waiting for her response.

“There’s a call here for you from Ms. Lilian Walker. Can I pass it through?”

Speak of the devil! Lily was my best friend in high school. When I moved to the city, I stayed at her house for a while until I got my apartment.

"Yeah, pass it through" Before I even finished talking, a beep came from the other side.

"Oh my god, Bibi! Is that really you? How hard is it to get a hold of you? I've called like 4 numbers."

"Hi Lily." it was hard to match her energy, "How long has it been since we last talked?"

"Like, forever. How are things going, girl?"

"It's been great. A bit too much has been going on since I became manager, though."

“Yeah, pass it through” Before I finished talking, a beep came from the other side.

“Oh my god, Bibi! Is that you? How hard is it to get a hold of you? I’ve called like 4 numbers.”

“Hi Lily.” it was hard to match her energy, “How long has it been since we last talked?”

“Like, forever. How are things going, girl?”

“It’s been great. Too much has been going on since I became manager, though.”

“Yeah, you’re in the big leagues now. You don’t care for us underdogs anymore.”

“It’s not like that, and you know it.” I said, looking down, rolling up the phone cord on my finger. “It’s just th-“

“Nah ah, no excuses. There’s a party happening tonight near campus. It’s going to be chill, your style, and you’re going with me.”

There’s no way I can go to a party with this much work on my hands, and today of all days. This couldn’t have been worse timing. But, it’s been so long since I’ve seen Lily. I can’t just say no to her... But I have to.

“I’m sorry, Lils I can’t...” I apologized, already expecting her objection, “I have a lot of work to do.”

“You always have a lot of work.” She complained, “Can’t you spare just a day to hang out with your bestie?”

“I’ve literally not had this amount of work sin-“

“Come on.” I could feel her beseeching eyes through the phone. That’s how she got me in a lot of parties when we were younger, but I needed to stay late with everybody. “Pretty please.”

“We can hang out any other time, but tonight was terrible timing. I’ll text you after I leave work today. We need to mark something.”

“Okay... But I’m gonna hold you to that! Smooches.” She hung up.

I had done nothing unrelated to work in a while. A party was not my thing but, hanging out with Lils sounded good. After that talk, I really wanted to take a sip of coffee. Speaking of which, ‘Where’s that damn coffee?’

The office was quiet, a bit too quiet. I shot a glance at Lisa at the entrance and mouthed, “Where’s everybody?” she responded with a shrug.

Passing through Tina’s cubicle, there was no sign of her signature frantic-typing. She never stops beating that poor keyboard up. Ned was quiet too. Sometimes he stopped to read comics while waiting for a call, but it wasn’t time for that.

Faint voices came from the kitchen. Sneaking to the door, I looked through the glass frame.

Connor was holding my now cold coffee near the microwave, while Miles sat in the middle of the table, surrounded by a few employees. I put my ear to the door.

“If she had a boyfriend or something, I bet she could loosen up a bit. I mean, live a little.”

‘Are they talking about me?’

“You’re going to have to take one for the team, John.” Ned spoke up. “I see the way you look at her.”

‘What the hell is he talking about?’

“Both of you don’t have any friends or social life, anyway.” Miles continued, “You’re made for each other.”

“Shut up!” John screamed while Connor put my coffee in the microwave. I didn’t know what to get angrier about.

He dashed to the door, and I ran back to my office, closing the door before he saw me.

No friends? No social life? I have plenty of friends if they want to know. There’s Mildred, she’s the old lady here from the office. She doesn’t just open up to everybody; you know... That doesn’t count. There’s Lisa, no, she’s from the office too. Damn it! Well, there’s Lily, which I just rejected. You know what? Fuck this sales goal! I’m going to that party.

I’m going to the party. :) , I texted Lily.

YAAAAAYYY! :D , She responded. And right on queue, Connor knocked on my door with my reheated coffee.

“Here it is Ms. Hill.” I’m glad he didn’t call me Abbie after that.

“Thank you!” I smiled widely and passed him through the door, grabbing my coat. “We’re not staying late today everybody,” I shouted. “And also enjoy your weekend!”