paper love | edward nygma

Chapter 10 ○ It's What She Wants

EDWARD NYGMA

I had organized Miss Kringle's files. It took me an excruciating amount of time, but in the final result of the first two cabinets, I could tell that it was worth it. I looked over to see two visibly shocked women, Miss Grayson and Miss Kringle.

"I'm improving your system, implementing a  rhizomatic cross-index with your case files classified by subject, but arranged more like the way a peat moss organism grows. You know, laterally." 

Miss Kringle started walking towards me slowly, still holding a box of files in her hands. Miss Grayson was standing near the door, still in awe. "I had this entire room organized." She kept walking closer, with small strides.

"Yes, but now it will be rhizomatic. Lateral!" I did a gesture with my hands to represent the word lateral. It was reminiscent of a flower blooming, and that is the best way I could describe it. 

"What did I ever do to you Nygma?" She dropped the file box and it made a loud noise. Miss Grayson flinched at this but nevertheless still stayed in the back and bit her lip. 

"What did I do that compels you to come here with your endless notes and suggestions and riddles, my God the riddles! Are you trying to get me to quit?" 

I quickly stood up to defend my actions. "N-No no no! I want you..." I quickly realized what I said and tried to play it off. "...T-To keep your job and to have it here. For w-working!" I boasted a nervous smile.

She leaned her back against the file cabinet next to her and crossed her arms over her chest.

"O-Okay, I'm getting the sense that this was somehow inappropriate."

 She looked over at me with a very frustrated expression and said: "You're so odd." Grace lightly tilted her head and I noticed her ball up her left hand into a hard fist. Kristen just looked at me with an upset glare. 

Ouch, this chick is really starting to get on my nerves. 

I ignored my other half and started to walk out. "I'll just take my non-hierarchical data paradigms out of your hair and leave you to your work."

 After I said that, I stumbled over a stack of file folders and caught my balance on the cabinets. As I stepped out the door, I looked at Miss Grayson, who looked at me with pity.

Before closing the door, I stared at Miss Kringle for a few seconds, analyzing her emotions. I walked out before going to my lab to contemplate what happened.

I heard heels from the ladies' shoes click on the floor and Miss Grayson say "Are you okay? I think you hurt his feelings."

"I don't care. This isn't second grade. We're adults, and he should know not to mess with my job. I don't touch his stuff in his lab, so why did he have to ruin everything like that?" Kristen said.

You know what Ed, Kristen is out of your league. Grace is more of our type, just get your head out of the damn clouds and leave her alone. 

After all, it's what she wants, too.