Willingly: Her Version

Chapter Six

My last year in college went as normal as it could. It was more subdued, though. There was nothing to look forward to. Eventually, I turned my attention to something else, which are books and music. And I got a cat. Those are the things I look forward to.

Oddly, I wasn't very excited about graduation. I didn't even attend the ceremony. In my mind, it was just a formality. What matters is the diploma and the school records.

I interned at a small company. Eventually, I worked somewhere else. It wasn't as enjoyable as I thought it would be. Work is very stressful. I see a lot of garbage output for so much money. It wasn't as satisfying as I thought. Not all clients are happy. We're not delivering the output that was promised. I may have forgotten what's my purpose for studying what I did. But you can say I've fallen for something else, entirely. I picked up a book and ran my fingers through its pages. I would like to write my own but it's not going to put food on the table. And rent, and utilities, and insurance...

I sighed. Up we go to my latest employer company. I've only had two years of work experience.

Out of the corner of my eye, I thought I saw someone familiar. It was only for a second. I snapped out of it really quick. First day and all, I got to make good impressions on my new colleagues. Some of them are nice and approachable. Most people in marketing do. Very few are not, but they're mostly the brains and the best designers who'd rather not interact with the clients and others. I'm not at all surprised to know there are introverts here, too. Everyone's practically everywhere.

I tried to be observant as I familiarize myself with the job, duties and responsibilities.

Ella accompanied me through my first day. She showed me the pantry for lunch and she introduced me to the rest of the employees who aren't working with us in our department. I caught my breath when I saw him. I might have stared longer, even after he withdrew his gaze. Ella openly teased me about it and a few other girls did, too. I have to get Ella to talk, mainly about him. I grinned inside; looks like there's something I can look forward to. Again. I'm sure work wouldn't be so dull. For a completely different reason.

Ella didn't hold back. She did tell me everything she knows about Kurt. She thinks I was simply starstruck or something. He hasn't changed much, actually.

Ella is very outspoken, but professional. We only chat during breaks. She's very vocal, and she decided she wants to see Kurt getting a girlfriend. She nominated me as candidate. I heard someone else likes him, but there wasn't any progress. When Ella teases him with me, other people didn't seem to mind. Apparently, some of them found their partners at work and what Ella is doing has been done before.

I was curious to know Ella's story, though.

"Do you have a boyfriend?" I asked at the beginning of a lunch break. It has been a couple of months already.

She grinned. "None at the present. I'm taking a break."

I didn't think it's appropriate to ask for details so I only nodded and followed her into the pantry. It's a huge pantry. It can accommodate half of the employees, so there are two shifts of lunch break.

"So, it's been a while. Would you like to notch it up a bit? I can ask him to invite you out on a date."
I raised an eyebrow at her idea. I haven't been averse to whatever she's been doing, because I figured Kurt would notice me that way, without me having to go out of my own way.