From Mine to Ours

14: I pay attention, but I can't handle it.

The days came and went in a blur, each new face leaving as soon as they appeared with the promise of being contacted by next week. I ended up showing each and every single one of them around, making the tour I'm currently about to start my fifth and final one.

His name is Oliver and is the person Cadence is very well acquainted with since high school as she dutifully mentioned any chance she got. She's stoked to finally be seeing him here and originally offered to be the one to show him around. But, for the sake of professionalism in front of a potential intern, they're leaving that task to me again and I am to make sure to stop by Cadence's desk later on so they can at least see each other before routinely handing him over to Jack.

"Oliver?" I speak out, the man in question looking up from his phone with bright blue, inquisitive eyes at the sound of his name being called out. I won't even lie to myself and admit he's very beautiful with his bright blonde locks seemingly the polar opposite of my dark brown strands. They almost remind me of a certain blond I used to know, however, even his hair seems brighter in shade to the point where I find myself admiring how the light bounces off his waves so effortlessly.

He jogs over to meet me halfway after I briefly greet Sam and he introduces himself in a formal manner, which kind of contradicts the initial idea I created of him in my head after Cadence's multiple admissions of how well they get along. Guilt creeps through my consciousness as I realize how pre-judgmental I was being before having even met the guy...

With the knowledge of remembering that Julian would actually be stopping by later on today as a visitor, simply because he feels like it as he so kindly put it, I make sure to swiftly make our way up to where we need to go after brief introductions so I can meet with him in time. I do make a mental note of his soft-spoken voice and his avoidance of eye contact. Me being the introvert that I am can't help but worry a tad bit of how well this will play out since I wouldn't exactly classify myself as a conversationalist. My nervousness quickly nullifies as we get through the tour without any suffocating awkwardness, making sure to consistently point anything out that would be of importance to him if he were to be chosen as the new intern.

"So, this is where you'll find Cadence and myself most of the time, our desks are here as well as any other necessities and/or rooms we may need," we reach the floor with a ding sounding out from the hidden speakers within the contraption. "You'll most likely find one of us here if you need anything at all," I purposely add my name of where he could possibly find me, as I've been doing all week, since I know the feeling of immediately growing comfortable to the first person you talk to for an extended period of time in an unfamiliar setting. Not sure how necessary it is in this situation though, since he knows someone here already, but may as well stick with the routine I put myself on these past 5 days.

He quickly nods at me after declining the offer of going to see her now, as I told her I would, and before I could even ask him if he's sure, he asks if it's time to meet Jack yet. I decide not to push it, maybe he doesn't want to seem unprofessional by getting lost in a conversation with her at the moment, which I can completely understand. As I did with everyone else, I remind him to address the man by his surname and walk off with a wave and a quiet "good luck".

Julian and I are on our way back from lunch that we ate in one of the more or less empty breakrooms where he brought some take away from a nearby Chinese restaurant and I absolutely adore their food, so I didn't hesitate to tuck into the meal. 

"Congratulations on a successful intern week by the way," he sits next to me on a stray chair he found nearby, tapping on his phone where he briefly mentions messaging an excited Asher. Tonight's the night we're having dinner at my place and, even though I'm undoubtedly nervous, I have a good feeling about tonight. Plus, it'll be really fun having all of us together in one place again and it's been a while since I got to cook for someone other than myself.