To Your End

June 1, 2022

It's amazing how one moment, one mistake, one step, can change your life entirely. I"m Una Octavius. A former employee at Tesla, Inc for two years now. My life was going smooth and happy until-

"Hey, Ila remember me?" an unfamiliar voice spoke behind me as I was getting into the office building. I looked back it was Dean. Dean Harrison, my high school best friend. We were at EF Academy Oxford in England together. I was known as Ila there. Change my name after moving to Norway. We were best friends until graduation. Mother decided we would go back to Norway my homeland. I refused but had to leave eventually. It's been 6 years since I last saw him.

"Hey, Ila, didn't know you were here," Dean said, hugging me. "The last time I saw you were at our graduation. And I remember you a lot shorter," I said mockingly. To which he just smirked. "Which University?" Dean asked as we walked together inside the building. "What?" I questioned, "Which University did you study?" Dean asked again, "The University of Oslo" I replied, "You end up going then," Dean said. "I tried. what about you?" I asked.

"I looked for you after our graduation but couldn't find you. I moved to California and got into the University of Southern California." Dean said as we both walked through the metal detector. Dean was moving in a separate direction as I was. Realizing Dean stopped, "Which department?" "Finance control you?" I replied and asked. "Marketing management," Dean replied, "See you at lunch break then," I said, "Yeah, if I don't get lost," Dean joked causing, me to chuckle. And we both walked toward our departments.

"Hey Una, they sent the financial analysis of our latest project. you should take a look."

A voice spoke to me as I walked inside my department and was reaching my desk. "I've already emailed them, Ava," I said.

That's Ava Iestyn. The girls on the desk to my right. We have worked together for two years now. Never that great friend. She has a friend in the Finance Management department.

"Hey, love, how's everything going?" A familiar voice said side, hugging me and going to the desk to my left.

Maria Harper, my best friend, my mental health support. We had an on and off friendship for these two years, now we're settled. She is a sweet person. Put us in a room we can spend days talking about Marvel's cinematic universe.

"Hey Maria," I spoke to which Maria turned toward me. I added, "Let's go watch Multiverse of the madness tonight I'm free," I said turning toward her. "Count me in," another voice excitedly spoke behind my desk.

Norah Key another best friend of mine. She knows everything about my family and the same for me. Not a Marvel fan but loves a good hangout.

"I'll pay for the tickets," Maria said turning back to her desk. "I'll pay for the popcorns then," Norah said lifting her head over the desk. "Dinner's on me." said waving my finger in the air and shifting to my desk. But we didn't realize Ava looking at us.

Time skipped to lunch break. Three of us walked inside the cafeteria, took our lunch, and sat at a table. Norah elbowed me and indicated to look at my right with her eyes. I looked and saw Ava sitting alone. Maybe her best friend didn't come today. All three of us saw her and looked at each other. We got up from our bench and went toward her's and sat there.

"Care if we join?" Maria spoke sitting, beside her. "I'd be glad," Ava replied with a smile. "What happened to Eliana?" Norah asked.

Eliana Rivera, the best friend of Ava I was talking about. She seemed a little bit self-centered to me. Who knows, I didn't see her up close. We always had a pretty formal relationship.

"She resigned," Ava responded sadly. "Resigned?" Maria asked, "Yeah, had some family problem and left the country," Ava explained.

Oh yeah, I almost forgot. We all are working in San Carlos USA.

"Hey, do you have plans tonight?" I asked gazing at Ava. "Not really why?" She asked biting her food. "We're going to the movies you should come," Norah responded excitedly. "Okay, send me the location I'll be there. I'll pay for dinner," Ava said with a wide smile.

"That's on me," I said

"Ticket?"

"I'm on that"

"Popcorns?"

"My zone"

"Let me pay for something," Ava said bit annoyed. "you can buy the drinks," as I said as I got interacted by Dean at our table, along with two of his friends. "What are you guys planning?" Dean questioned.

"Hey, Dean. I see you met Naveen already. So guys let me introduce you to my old friend Dean."

Naveen Parker my closest friend. I can't leave a day without telling him what's going in my life. He can get a little awkward sometimes. But he knows everything about me.

All of them introduced themself to each other. Dean introduced us to a new friend Hugo.

Hugo Ayesten seemed like a nice guy. Know's all the office Drama. And looked like a supermodel. Will die for a good picture.

Throughout the whole lunch break, I noticed Dean staring at Ava. Norah did that too. She told me later. Soon our lunch break was over we left the cafeteria inviting the three boys to our hangout tonight.

[**After the movie**]

"The movie was amazing," Maria spoke as we walked out of the theater. "I didn't understand a single thing," Norah said throwing her popcorn basket in the dustbin. "You would if you watch the previous movies," Hugo said walking, ahead of us.

The movie was great, but Norah and I both saw Dean being a gentleman for Ava. After the movie, we planned to go to Burton Park. We chose to walk as it wasn't far from the theater. As we walked Naveen pulled me to the side.

"You're telling him. Right?" Naveen asked. "Nope," I replied. "Una, It's been years," he stated being, annoyed, "I'll tell him when I'm ready. And I am starting to think he likes Ava," assuming those last words made my heartache. "You're joking," Naveen said laughing, "I wish," I replied strolling away.