Not Even Once

CHAPTER 1 PART 1: Misunderstanding

"Exactly," I comment while staring at a graph of the company budget.

"You think you're so smart?" asks my coworker Siddiq.

"Me? No, I'm stupid...but this idea isn't."

"Look, we've no reason to fight," comments the boss Raul as he crunches down on an apple and glances at his wrist. "It's 5:05. You're all dismissed! Good work today..."

A few pats on the back are exchanged and silent conversations happen around me as I move to exit the slightly cramped room. I reach for the side of the doorframe, then a hand grasps my shoulder, and I tense up before whipping around and staring wide-eyed at Siddiq.

"Sorry," he says in a tone that sounds unapologetic. He clears his throat and adjusts his collar as he throws a couple glances at the carpet. "I'm not too with English."

"Two?"

"What? I mean, I don't have very on English."

"Oh..." I glance at the door and point back toward it with my thumb. "Look, I gotta-"

He reaches out slightly. "No, I didn't mean to-"

I back up and stare at him. "I don't know you!"

Everyone in the room looks at them and it really falls silent. "Everything alright?" asks Raul as he looks back and forth at them.

"Misunderstanding," explains Siddiq before looking at me. "Did I use that word right?"

"I don't care! You clearly have a problem with me."

"No, no, I-"

"Look, just cut it out," states Raul to Siddiq. He shakes his head and resumes conversation, triggering a chain reaction as the whole room around them bursts into mumbling.

I turn around and pace out the door, heading down the hall with a swift strut. I glance back after a second and see my coworker trailing behind me. "Leave me alone," I whisper as I root through my purse. I clasp a bottle of pepper spray and zip up my purse.

"Hey, lady."

I turn around and aim it at him.

He immediately squeals, then cowers while covering his face with shaking hands. "Don't shoot!"

"Are you scared of me?"

The door bursts open and Raul steps out, much more concerned than before. "What the hell is going on here?!"

I raise my hands in the air and scream, "IT'S PEPPER SPRAY!"

"Don't worry, sir," says Siddiq while holding up his hands together and bowing slightly.

"Nevermind, I'm not coming out if I hear any more things." He crosses his arms and casts them out definitively.

"Bye, sir!" Siddiq waves at him as the boss rolls his eyes and walks off. "You shouldn't be making such fuss, ma'am. You don't want to be boot."

"Stop using so much...lingo. Also, I'll do whatever I please." I cross my arms and hold them together as I tap my foot impatiently. "So, tell me what you want."

"I want to know you."

I laugh suddenly in disbelief. "That's a lie."

"Why'd you say that? You no me."

"No, I don't know you."

He shakes his head and uses his hands to explain, "You no know me then."

"I don't know you."

"Yes, that's what I'm saying."

"But you want to?" I tilt my head before throwing up my hands and looking all around at the air above me.