The Original Four

Chapter 3

"She kissed him? That's gross," the middle of the three states. "Boys have cooties."

"We do not," the other two hiss.

They stop arguing and look up at me. "So what happens the next day at work? Do they talk things out?"

I laugh, shaking my head. "You could say that."

.

April 29, 2023

"Good morning," Kate says as she steps onto the elevator. Just like the day before, she presses the number twenty-two.

It was Kate's second day of work, and she was having mixed emotions.

"It's my second day," she tells the other people on the elevator who nod their heads not caring. "I'm really excited but part of me is scared and nervous. You know, I don't know that many people here and-"

"Darn," the lady says sarcastically. "This is my floor." She scurries off the elevator, and Kate frowns as the door shuts.

'People are so annoying,' Kate thinks.

Floor 22 comes into view as the doors open wide once again. Kate steps out and walks down the hall to her office. She grabs a pen and the clip board, and heads to Mr. Mayer's office.

"Good morning," she says. "Coffee?"

He looks up from his computer and gives her a half-smile. "Coffee sounds nice right now."

Kate goes to the kitchen, making a fresh pot, and soon comes out with a steaming hot treat for the boss himself. "Here you go."

Daniel takes the cup and looks at it. "How'd you do that?" he asks, pointing to the heart design floating on the top of the drink.

Kate turns red. "Oh. You mean the art? It just took a little bit of practice, that's all." She sits down at one of the tables and takes out her laptop.

Daniel chuckles and pretends to get back to work. He watches Kate take down notes for the project his company is working on.

'God. She's beautiful,' he thinks to himself. 'One day, maybe I can call her mine.'

"Daniel?" Kate says, and he looks at her, giving his full attention. "When is the first meeting for the X project?"

"Two weeks," he replies, and she turns around. Daniel bites his lip, trying to figure out whether or not he should tell her. "Kate?" he stutters, giving in.

She walks up to his desk concerned. "What's wrong?"

"I'm just going to say it."

Kate raises an eyebrow. "Okay," she trails.

Daniel takes a deep breath, shutting his eyes. "I like you . . . a lot."

"Oh. I like you too. You're a great boss."

He internally slaps himself across his face. "That's cool."

.

"Major cooties," she shrieks and then curls up in her blanket. "I mean, I guess it's kind of cute that they like each other but that seems really awkward."

"That's it! We don't have cooties!" the little one yells and jumps on top of her.

I pull them apart and laugh, shaking my head. "Why don't we continue with the story? Hmm, where were we . . . "

.

"Time to leave," Kate cheers as she packs her bag. It was finally the end of the day, and she couldn't wait to go home.

She slips her phone into her back pocket and takes out the keys. The assistant leaves her office, locks the door, and heads over to Daniel's.

"Have a nice afternoon, Mr. Mayer," Kate tells him, peeking her head in the doorway.

Daniel laughs. "It's just me in here, Kate but thank you."

"Oh." She gives him a small smile. "Sorry, Daniel."

He invites her inside and she sits opposite of his desk. "How'd your day go?" they ask at the same time.

Daniel looks down, and Kate blushes. "You first," he says.

"It was great . . . How was yours?"

But he doesn't say anything. He just sits there, admiring her beauty and wishing that they were more than friends.

Daniel stands from his seat and walks over to her. They're inches away, staring into each other's eyes. "Better now," he whispers. The two lean in, and he plants his soft lips on hers.
.

"Gross."

"Aw."

"Ew."

I laugh at the three kids and their different reactions to the story. The boys are awfully immature but that little girl is something special. She is open to learning new things and never backs down from a task.

On the other hand, the boys are a bit lazier. Their grades are acceptable, and their athletic performance is envied by many- but handling their emotions? We've gone too far.

I figured they wouldn't take much of an interest in the story. However, I'm sure by the end they'll want to hear more.

.

"So," Daniel says after they pull apart. "I was thinking that you and I could hang out tonight."

Kate narrows her eyes at him. "You mean, like a date?"

The young man turns a deep shade of red. "Yeah," he breaths out quickly. "If you're okay with that . . . "

"Sounds lovely," she interrupts. "I'll see you tonight?"

Daniel nods his head, and Kate walks out the door. Making sure she had left, he stands from his desk, grinning widely. "Who would've thought that eight years later I'd have her back by side?"

And so the two lovebirds went on their own way, excited for what the evening was to bring.