A Tweed Tale

• • •

One. Two. Three. Dresden, who is all worn out, kept counting one to three to slowly keep her composure. Every three counts, she gives out an enormous sigh while sitting in her usual workplace spot, specifically on the small coffee-colored desk nearest the HR's office.

"It's okay, Dresden. Just relax. This will be nothing but a memory," Dresden murmured to herself.

Despite wearing a loose button-down shirt with black and white silhouettes and a comfy knee-length skirt, she has never felt stifled from a business attire in existence until today. To boot, the freezing air conditioning, blinding fluorescent lights, and busy expressions of coworkers in the office did not comfort her at all. Thus, she stormed away from the room without notice, took a cab, and went straight to her apartment.

• • •

The moment Dresden reached her destination, which is at the third floor of the apartment, she rushed to find the key to her room inside her jet black work bag. But before she could reach the key, her apartment door suddenly opened.

"Dresden! Y-you scared me! I thought you'd be back by 6:00 PM. Isn't it lunch time or so?" asked the staggered Florence, aka Dresden's roommate who could pass as a loyal confidant, who is dressed in a cherry pink oversized tee with the word 'Barbie' in print.

Meanwhile, Dresden who kept looking down and unfocused responded, "Nothing! I just need a rest to be honest."

Florence was too focused on Dresden's gloomy expression while tying her honey blonde hair into a bun. "Okay. After I grab the lettuce salad I ordered downstairs, we need to talk," suggested Florence.

On the other hand, Dresden left no response and rushed directly to her bed, with a really soft and comfy heart pillow covering her face.

• • •

After a minute or two, Florence brought the meal she ordered and reached out to Dresden right away. She snatched the pillow off of Dresden's face and said, "Come on, Dresden. I know something's bothering you. That's the exact facial expression you make when something's not right. And let me guess, you chanted those repetitive three counts you usually do to make yourself feel better, right? So what's the problem? Tell me."

Although Dresden was quite hesitant to answer, she can't help but at least update Florence with something, especially when she knows how much of a good friend she was after spending almost a year together being apartment roommates. "One. Two. Three. I'll be honest. I'm definitely not fine, Florence," Dresden admitted weakly.

"Understood. Well, that's a good start. Now, let's move to the 'why' part, if that's alright with you?" asked the curious Florence.

"That—I'm not ready to answer. In fact, I can't really accept what happened," said Dresden.

"Oh. Hmm. This might have something to do with work, for sure," Florence guessed.

"How can you tell?" Dresden asked.

"Duh. That's where you should be at this hour. Clearly, something happened at work that made you come here early. Wait, you didn't quit, did you?" asked Florence.

Dresden simply gave a sigh and stayed silent. Not knowing what to say, Florence slowly gravitated towards her salad and took a picture of it for her socials. But after a few clicks of hardcore food photography, Florence's eyes brightened. She turned her face to Dresden and said, "Dresden, get up. I have an idea!"

Still looking agitated and melancholic, Dresden looked at Florence. "Stand up and start wearing your favorite outfit. We're going out!" said Florence enthusiastically.