Infatuation

chapter 1 ✄

I sigh and rest my chin on my hand, staring at the blank computer screen in front of me. Working as a receptionist really wasn't the most fulfilling job and often times I never had anything to do. Luckily my best friend Jim Halpert works only 5 feet away from me so he's always been my source of entertainment.

I look up at him and I see him typing on his computer. At least someone has something to do, I think to myself. I continue to stare at him until he eventually notices me and it doesn't take too long because he lifts up his head and as soon as our eyes meet he furrows his brows in concern and I sigh and plop my chin back into my palm, signaling that I'm bored out of my mind.

I watch him laugh and push away from his desk and walk towards reception.
"That boring huh?" He asks as he fiddles with a pen that was lying on the counter.
"Honestly, I'm trying to do anything I can to not pass out right here right now." I laugh and he does too.
"Well I was just thinking about taking my break. How about you and I go take a walk outside and wake you up a little bit?" He drums on the counter with his
fingers while he finishes his sentence.

Oh I know what would wake me up, I think to myself.

My heart somewhat flutters at the thought of us having some alone time, well, besides the camera crew that constantly follows us around.

Have I mentioned that I have feelings for Jim?

We've known each other for about 2 years and he's always been my best friend and confidant in the office.

Needless to say, we're pretty close and I've recently been questioning how I feel about him. I'm confident that I'm starting to fall for him but I haven't fully dealt with those feelings because if word got out, I'm sure they wouldn't be reciprocated, so I'd rather just shove them away unless something compels me not to.

"Yeah, that definitely sounds like a good idea" I say as I get up from my desk and grab my sweatshirt.

Almost as if on cue, the camera crew starts to follow Jim and I to the elevator but luckily they don't get on with us, they always take the stairs in situations like this.
I look to Jim and just see him with his hands in his pocket looking up towards the elevator, his hair falling onto his face and basically making me melt. How could someone get to be so gorgeous?

"It feels so relieving when they leave us alone, even if just for a few seconds" I say, as if to snap myself out of my thoughts.
"What are you talking about? They're basically paparazzi, who doesn't like that?" He jokes.
"I could've sworn I entered this elevator with Jim Halpert but I think I'm about
to leave with Kelly Kapoor instead."
"Wow" Jim says
He looks down at the ground and laughs, giving me a fuzzy feeling just seeing his smile and knowing I'm the one that made that happen.
The elevator stops and Jim and I get out and walk to our usual outside spot - the concrete bench on the side of the building. Once we're there we see the camera crew coming up to us and it's still a little awkward at this point as we haven't really gotten used to them yet.

"So uh, you thinking about going to Poor Richard's with everyone tonight?" Jim asks me in a hopeful tone of voice

"Not sure" I reply "is Ryan going?"
"I think so, why?"
"Ugh" I sigh "He just makes me uncomfortable because he always acts so strange around me.."
"Do you think he.. likes you?"
"I've tried not to think about it" I laugh, and put my hands on my forehead.

I want so badly to spill that he's not the guy in the office that I want to like me, it's Jim.

"Well" Jim starts "I'm gonna go and I think it'd be a lot more tolerable if you were there"
Oh god, I feel my cheeks start to heat up and I just look down onto the concrete beneath us.
"Sure, I guess I'll go" I smile "but not because I want to, It just sounds like you just need a knight in shining armor"
"You're right, that's exactly it." He smiles

There's a pause of silence and we both look over to the camera guys, they just shrug to indicate that they don't have anything to tell us.

I'm actually excited that we're going to Poor Richard's. I can wear my normal people clothes and I know I'll instantly feel more confident and Jim will get to see the "real" me in a way. I can really make myself feel good and impress him how I'd like to.

"Wanna head back inside? I'm getting kind of cold." I ask, crossing my sweatshirt covered arms.

"I was waiting for you to say that, I've been cold ever since we got out here"

This causes me to laugh and shake my head, Jim is so quirky and it's one of my favorite things about him.

We both stand up and walk back inside and towards the elevator and the ride back up to the office isn't too interesting, especially because there's some what of a solemn vibe considering we have to get back to work.

We step back into the office and both go back to our desks. As we sit down, almost on cue, we look at each other and sigh with a smile.

I look away from Jim and lock eyes with the camerawoman before looking back to my computer, already knowing what they want from me.

"I really don't think it's a big deal. He just doesn't want to feel alone and be awkward, it's normal for a friend to ask another friend to attend a social gathering so they feel more comfortable. Right?"