A Dozen Cookies is the way to the Heart !!

Time off work pt1

The next employee brought into the bakery for training was odd. Nice, but weird. MePhone couldn't put a thought to it, but something about her felt off, and he wasn't sure if he liked it, but... She was fine enough to work with, and added a good bit to the menu, so... He couldn't complain.

To him, she seemed like one of those girls that only acted nice. It felt forced, and fake. Like a mask ready to come off at any moment, but stayed on regardless how how strained it was.

But other than that, her presence didn't seem to strain the work environment for him too hard. She didn't seem like someone to be too anxious about, because it was clear she was keeping up that kind persona at work, and as long as it stayed like that, he figured none of them would have any problems.

It was still incredibly awkward working with her-- and especially Lightbulb, though. A completely new air introduced into the workplace that was just hard to deal with, even after a week.

Of course through these slow days though, something else had to change, just before they were set to change up their menu for the colder season.

"Proper shifts." Two smiled as they pointed at the freshly re-drawn whiteboard in the employees room, set up to look like a calendar for some reason, instead of actually just... Getting one, but MePhone didn't say anything, just standing to listen while Soap and Lightbulb were sitting at the table, and the other new employee Leafy, was also standing elsewhere in the room, all paying attention to Two.
"Now, I texted you all about this the other day so I hope this isn't coming out of nowhere. I think with our little team finally expanding, it'd be much better if we weren't all here at the same time, except on special occasions, like today."

"Special occasions? Just this, or?" Leafy asked, tilting her head a bit.
"I'm so glad you asked. I just really wanted to put something nice together now that we have a proper, entire crew for the bakery. So, I thought I'd put a little thanks together for all of you, for helping out and being a part of this!"

Two moved to the mini fridge in the room, pulling out a box.
"Now I'm sure I could've waited a little longer, but hey! It's the end of the second week we've all been working, and I just really wanted to show my appreciation," They opened the lid to the box, showing off a very nicely decorated cake. Honestly, one of Two's best works.

"I just thought this would be nice." They smiled, now moving to grab a knife to cut up the cake.

MePhone stayed where he was as the conversation shifted between the other employees. He would've at least made an effort to join in, but his thoughts were just too loud right now. A lot of different things on his mind now. Some part of him just felt sad that he didn't feel like he deserved this. That he shouldn't be involved in a celebration when everyone else was clearly working so much harder and better than him.

He blinked back into focus at a hand on his shoulder.

"Oh-- Hey," He glanced over at Two, who was just smiling at him.
"Can we talk?" Three words that obviously freaked him out, but he tried his best not to show it as he nodded, being led back out to the rest of the bakery for some privacy.

They had closed up by now, and it was technically past time to head home, but none of the others were passing up the opportunity to properly try out one of Two's cakes.

"So, I've just been... Wondering," Two leaned against the counter, while MePhone just stood next to the door.

"Yeah?"

"Are you adjusting okay?"

"What?"

"To the new employees,"

"Yeah? Pssh-- why wouldn't I be?"

"I'm just asking since you had a hard time with Soap, and... You've also just been quieter than usual,"