THE INBESTIGATORS (EZRA'S LOVE STORY)

(15) BOREDOM IN THE OFFICE

It's been a few days since the ice cream date.

Everyone is busy today.

Kyle has soccer practice.

Ava is out with her other friends.

And Maudie has to go to the dentist.

I have nothing else to do, so I'm working in the office.

I'm organizing the excess paper we produce.

I mean, it's mostly my fault we have so much.

I always try to print more than what we need so we can be prepared, but it might be too much.

An hour passed, and I'm halfway done when I hear the door open

Me: Poppy, is that you?

Maudie: No, it's Maudie.

I look in the direction of the voice.

Me: Maudie? What are you doing here? I thought you were at the dentist.

Maudie: I was, but it only took 45 minutes. I thought about coming here and working, but I didn't know you would be here.

Me: I came here to organize our stuff, and we have a lot of paper.

Maudie: That's because you print way too much.

Me: I know. I'm trying to change.

Maudie giggled.

Maudie: Since I'm here, I'll help you out.

She takes a stack of papers from the stack I was organizing.

And she starts placing them on the piles I made that separates them.

The work was getting done at a much faster rate since both of us are working, but my pace has slowed down a bit.

I took more time looking at Maudie than actually working.

I did try to focus on organizing and still got work done.

I finished my stack of papers, and I tried to grab the stapler and staple the stack of papers we needed.

As I reached for the stapler, Maudie reached for it as well.

Our hands touch, but Maudie quickly pulled hers away.

Maudie: You can use it.

Her expression remained the same, but her face had a faint hint of pink.

I couldn't resist a smile knowing that Maudie started to feel the same way I did.

Maudie: Is there something you want to say?

I didn't realize I was staring at Maudie while smiling for a while.

Now I'm the one feeling embarrassed.

Me: Nothing.

I quickly looked away and started stapling papers.

Maudie: I'm going to get something to drink.

Maudie got up and went to the kitchen and returned with her favorite drink, Mogu Mogu.

Mogu Mogu is a weird drink that has coconut jelly inside and comes in a variety of flavors like apple, grape, or lychee.

She opened the bottle and took a big sip.

She noticed I was looking at her and grinned.

Maudie: Do you want some?

She extended the drink to me, knowing full well that I didn't like it.

She expects me to refuse and tease me about it, but not this time.

I grab the bottle and chugged.

Maudie: Hey, give it back!

I put my arm up to block her from interrupting.

She tried to close in, but she was too late.

Maudie: That was my last bottle... in the office.

Me: Oh, I'm sorry. I thought you were offering me some.

Maudie: I wasn't. Plus, I drank from it, so it's also unsanitary.

It took me a while to realize that it was an indirect kiss.

I felt my face heat up as Maudie's face blushed.

I guess she realized it as well.

Me: Sorry for taking your drink. I'll buy you one next time.

Maudie: No problem. If you want we can drink together again.

She paused and looked at me as I held the bottle.

Maudie: I meant drink Mogu Mogu separately. With different bottles.

She looked cute while she hid her face with her hands.

Me: Sure, let's go buy them together next time.

Maudie said with her hands still on her face

Maudie: Okay.

Today has been a great day.

But there is an important question I have to think about.

How would our relationship move from here on out?

To be continued