To Be Me

Oww!!!

             
                                 ***

           Driving into the parking lot, Matthew successfully parked his car and got out heading straight for the office in which he was sure to find his best friend.

Standing in front of the door, he took a deep breath before turning the knob.

He was met with a fit looking individual. Seemingly in his late 20s sitting on a chair with his legs resting comfortably on the desk before him completely engrossed in the book he held.

The office was brightly lit and very spacious. One part of the it was decorated with loads of skin products. Probably all that were used by the company's artists.

There was a full body mirror at another corner of the room. And a side window which was presently shut as cool air from the air conditioner lowered the temperature considerably.

"Shoot! Are you trying to freeze yourself to death in here?" He spat out gaining the attention of the person in front of him as the cold air suddenly made contact with his face.

"No way!!!" His voice was clearly laced with surprise as he slowly removed his glasses with one hand dropping the book he was briefly engrossed in with the other.

"No frickin way in hell!" He walked over and drew him in for a manly hug. "Matthew Blake."

Releasing him from the hug, Mathew winced in pain almost immediately as he was met with a punch to the guts. He fell to his knees with a groan. One hand on the area that had been hit and the other on the door handle for support.

Alex was sure he didn't hit him with all his might though he would've deserved it.

"And that's for making me work here for two years." He added returning to his chair.

"Oh don't be a baby. When last did you visit the gym." Alex teased putting his glasses back on although he had no use for them.

"Two years ago." Matthew replied getting to his feet as the pain slowly subsided and he straightened out his suit.

"How's the work going."
He asked strolling in, taking a good look around.

"Boring." Alex replied falling to the chair regaining his former position.

"Thank God it'll finally be over now I'm done. This really wasn't what I imagined myself would be doing right after college." He commented looking exasperated but his features soon softened as he turned to Matthew who was now standing next to the side window.

"How are you doing. Really." His normally playful face wore a different expression as he didn't try to hide his concern.

Matthew flashed a soft smile wearing a calm look.

"It's better now. I'm better." He stepped closer.

"I clearly am because I mean... I'm here aren't I?"
He added with a smile.

"Or if you want me to leave I can you know?" He turned to the direction of the door jokingly.

"If you dare take one step..."
Alex stood up and looked at him dead in the eyes.

They stared at each other as all was quiet save the sound of the air conditioner pumping in cold air.

Suddenly. Alex snikered and so did Matthew before they both burst into laughter.

"You're getting really good at acting bro." Matthew said shaking hands with him midair bumping their shoulders in the process.

"Well... I try." Alex replied feeling proud as he stood next to Matthew who now throughly accessed his look in the mirror.

"By the way." Alex spoke also accessing him in the mirror.

"What the hell are you wearing?"

"A suit." He replied adjusting his necktie.

"Why?" They both asked in unison.

Matthew shifted his attention to Alex's reflection in the mirror and shot an eyebrow up questioningly.

He was putting on a white shirt with black jeans and an overall white labcoat.

"Are those sneakers?"

Alex stood as if presenting his look as Matthew tilted his head to get a better look.

"Yeah." He responded with a smile simultaneously spinning his friend in the process.

"This work isn't that serious Matt. You don't need to play dress up for it." Alex added laughing lossening his necktie before removing.

"Turn around." He ordered and Matthew obeyed.

Removing his suit jacket, his flung it over his shoulders and spun Matthew one last time.

This time, he undid the first three buttons on his shirt.

"Now that's the dude I know and love." He smiled as Matthew took a look at the mirror.

He looked less formal than before, feeling he had let loose too many buttons as his well toned chest was peeking out through the space in-between. He hadn't been to the gym in a while but that didn't mean he wasn't keeping fit as he still looked slightly the same as before the accident.

"Well at least, my hair is safe..." He thought but it seemed to be too soon as Alex quickly ran his hand all over his hair making it look like a more tidy mess.

"I knew I was forgetting something." He said laughing as his friend let out an exasperated sigh.

"Whatever." He smiled more to himself than anyone else.

"I'll let him have his way today."

Alex really was what one would call a rare gem. Matthew knew he deeply cared for him and not because of any words he might have spoken to ascertain that fact but mainly because of his actions.

I mean not every friend would put a pause on their life after college and take someone else's job until that someone was well enough to handle it all.

He turned to Alex who was standing besides him wearing a proud smile.

"Whatever."

"What was that?" Alex turned as Matthew shook his head in the negative.

"Noth..."

He interrupted by a very loud and familiar sound.

"What the...?" Matthew turned to Alex.

"Is that? Do you still have an alarm to remind you to eat?" Matthew chuckled giving Alex a playful slap at the back.

"Yeah dude. I have to or I truly believe I would starve to death." Alex added jokingly taking his phone from the table.

"Let's go." He announced taking off his labcoat.

Matthew gave him a look that seemed to ask the question on his mind.

"I want to show you this new spot I found. They have the best coffee and lunch menu I tell you." He nodded before speaking again clearly convinced.

"Trust me. I know."

"I'm not in the mood for that right now. And also..." He pointed straight ahead to an item behind Alex.

"Who puts on a labcoat just to sit and read all day?" He looked clearly amused.

"I have to to remind myself of all the action I'm missing at the hospital but hey you really don't have to if you don't wanna." He tapped Matthew on the back.

"Alex..." He called with a soft voice. "Thanks for this. Really. It means a lot."

"I know." Alex replied smiling before grabbing him by the arm.

"Now let's go you dumbass."

Letting out a sigh, Matthew was dragged out the door.

"Here we go again."