Willow Weep For Me (temporary title)

Chapter 3- An Old Photo, A New Friend

The door slamming and angry footsteps echoing through the currently empty halls of the music department. The music director makes his way into his office, which is located just at the end of the corridor. The office is relatively cramped with music sheets scattered all around the desk which a computer takes half of the space it had as well as a small framed picture of three people. It's a young adult Sammy in the middle of two girls. One clearly a teenager, the other looking around the same age as Sammy. The man was smiling with closed lips but grey eyes squinting indicating it is in fact a genuine one. He's looking less sleep deprived at least and the two girls next to him look lively, the younger one smiling ear to ear. They're his sisters, the one wearing a graduation robe, second oldest, is Sarah and the youngest is Ruby. A photo taken almost 4 years ago, clearly at Sarah’s highschool graduation. Behind the desk there was a small shelf, various books mostly about philosophy and music history stacked on it. He throws himself onto the chair, one hand on the armrest and the other rubbing the bridge of his nose. Silence indeed helped him calm down, thankfully. No need to overreact, he thinks to himself before beginning to scribble on an empty music sheet. Talented he is, he could imagine what he's writing like he's listening to eat in the meantime. And focusing on his music, working for hours without a break was his way of coping. sorta.

So a few hours went by until Sammy leaves his office. He missed lunch but most of the needed work was finished, he just had to check the recordings. Then, much to his dismay, report to Melanie. Thinking how she "helped" him made his head hurt. He saw the act as something done out of pity. Nothing more. After all, he was quite aware of the rumours about himself. How his subordinates didn't like him. How could they? He's rude and won't accept anything less than perfect. So kindness was not something he genuinely received.
The music director enters the recording section, learning that "little miss perfect" Melanie fixed the issue and while Sammy was working on new songs the crew already went ahead of the schedule. Great. Might as well make her the new music director? So, to get a cup of coffee he goes to the break room. Which was, when there's no one else, is a pleasant place for Sammy. It's quiet and cosy, and who would say no to an unlimited amount of coffee? And he mostly can have the room for himself since his breaks don't match the others' but this wasn't his lucky day it seems as he's met with a fluff of ginger hair making tea- no it's Melanie. And looks like she wasn't expecting anyone too since she jumped slightly when she turned around, staring at Sammy. Her sudden move spilling tea on her hands makes her wince and drop the mug as a whole.
"Damnit- Mr Lawrence! Quite sneaky aren't you?"
She teased followed with a nervous chuckle, bending down to clean up the mess as Sammy closed the door behind him before grabbing napkins and offering them to her. The woman accepts them, a nervous smile across her lips as she mumbles a "thank you" before trying to clean it as fast as she could. Sammy focuses on making himself coffee at the same time, only glancing at the woman as she gets up from the ground.
"...you didn't burn your hand, did you?"
The woman's eyes widened, surprised at him  asking. But, she beams a smile once again, like she's grateful.
"Nothing a small pack of ice can't fix. My arm was a little sore, that's all... Oh and I forgot to tell you, the episo-"
"I know already."
And he felt regret immediately after he interrupted when he saw the annoyance and disappointment on Melanie's face. She mumbles something that Sammy can't make it out and attempts to leave.
"Wait, wait Miss Merrick. Sorry and thank you for  earlier."
That did make Melanie pause and the calm expression of hers is enough to make Sammy sigh in relief. Because as much as he can't admit it, he was aware that Melanie was just being genuinely kind. Putting a hand on his shoulder with a quick pat, she hums
"Don't worry, everyone would've done the same. Focus on feeling better"
She affirmed before swinging in her heels and this time leaving the room. Possibly treat the burnt on her hand. Come to think of it, someone taking even a small portion of his workload like Melanie did today, did make him less stressed. So, he didn't feel as frustrated about this cooperation thing as he was that morning :)