The rest of the week went by slow. Jim was continuing his mission to be nicer to Dwight and prove to him that he was actually a good person. Jim had to admit not pranking Dwight was difficult, but it was a nice reward to have Dwight start smiling back at him and go out of his way to speak to Jim.
It was finally Friday and the office was bubbling in excitement for the weekend. Jim made his way to the break room deciding he would treat himself with a snack from the vending machine. As he stood there contemplating what snack to choose, Dwight entered the room. Today he had opted for a short-sleeve white dress shirt with a striped tie. "Hey Dwight" Jim said, "nice tie." Dwight was still vary of the new, apparently nice Jim. He hadn't been pranked all week, but instead Jim had been nice to him and even treated Dwight like a friend. It was strange and Dwight was apprehensive, but still decided to enjoy the change of attitude from Jim, even though he was expecting everything to go back to "normal" next week. "Thanks" Dwight replied, smiling back at Jim. "I cannot decide what to get" Jim said, Dwight leaned toward where Jim was standing so he could get a better view of where Jim was looking. "You could get pretzels" Dwight offered deciding to help Jim. Jim looked over Dwight's shoulder and told him no, not really what he's craving. Dwight kept scanning the vending machine searching for what Jim might be interested in. Jim put his chin on Dwight's shoulder as the other man faced the vending machine.
Dwight stopped breathing when Jim put his head on his shoulder. His first instinct was to jerk out of the way and get as far from Jim as possible. If he did that though it might ruin the tentative friendship they had just started building. He didn't want to ruin that all because maybe he liked Jim a little and that's why a little touch from Jim was impacting him. Jim at this point could care less about what he was going to get from the vending machine, he was a little distracted by Dwight and his own stupidity. It was like his brain and body disconnected for a second and the next thing he knew he was putting his chin against Dwight's shoulder as they looked at the snack options. He instantly regretted it when he felt Dwight tense up, but soon Dwight let out a slow breath and Jim felt a little calmer.
"How about chips ahoy" Dwight asked in a hushed voice. The atmosphere between them suddenly changed and Dwight couldn't help but whisper. "Yeah, that'll be good" Jim whispered back. Both men hadn't moved and it seemed they never would, until Dwight's cell phone rang. Dwight yelped in surprise and Jim moved his head back, suddenly as if he shocked. "I- uh, sorry I have to take this" Dwight scrambled out. "Oh yeah, yeah go get that phone call" Jim replied, his expression best described as a "deer caught in headlights." Dwight left him then and Jim was left alone with his thoughts. He grabbed his hair, scrunching the strands so that they stuck out. He officially lost his mind. He needed Pam to calm him down. He quickly texted her to meet him in the hallway just incase Dwight came back to the break room.
"Hey Jim what's up?" Pam asked. "Pam" Jim said grabbing her shoulders gently, "I did something bad." Pam was suddenly alert, curious as to what Jim could have done that he was panicking so much. "Jim what happened?" she asked, softly touching his arms. "I, I was in the break room, you know getting a snack as one does. And then Dwight came in the room and asked what I wanted to eat? so I told him I did not know and so he came to stand where I was, slightly in front of me and then I just put my chin on his shoulder, like a crazy person." Jim finished his rambling, he had begun pacing and grabbing his hair repeatedly. Pam wanted to stop him, but she figured it would be better to just let Jim release his nervous energy. "Jim, hey it's okay. How did he react?" Pam asked gently. "He... I guess he didn't really. We just kind of stood there and then got interrupted by his phone ringing" Jim recalled. " "Jim that's really good. If he wasn't okay with that he would be the first to shove you off. Maybe he's not the only one who has a little crush on you" Pam said a smile lighting up her face. Jim had not thought in that way, but it couldn't be possible, could it? "Jim! don't be a pessimist now! There is a good chance this is true!" "I don't know Pam, I don't want to get my hopes up for nothing" Jim said, worry etched on his face. "James Halpert, do not start doubting yourself or me for that matter. I think you guys might have a chance." Jim smiled back at his friend, Pam was right he was usually very optimistic and now was not the time to stop. "Yeah you are right!" Jim told her, "Yeah! let's do this" Pam replied.
The two went over to their desks. Dwight was on the phone, which in a way was good for Jim because he was unsure how Dwight might react to him. Jim started working, when a couple minutes later Dwight asked him a paper related question. Jim helped him out and it seemed the two had returned to the amicable friendship they had started, with none of the tension that was in the break room.
At the end of the day, the office had started packing up with only ten minutes left in the day. Michael told them all how well they had done this week and to keep up the work next week. Dwight clapped ecstatically at Michael's speech and Jim instead of being annoyed as he usually was whenever Dwight showed over appreciation for Michale, he felt adoration. Wow he really liked Dwight. Jim decided he was going to wait for Dwight to leave so he bid farewell to Pam and the other office workers. Finally at 5:15 Dwight started packing his briefcase, and Jim followed suit. Dwight looked up at him, usually Jim was out as soon as he could be. "Why are you still here?" asked Dwight. "Well I had to make sure you got out of here safely" Jim said grinning at him. Dwight normally would have taken that comment negatively, but for some reason Jim seemed to have said that with no malice. "Oh, thanks, but I don't need anyone. If anything I am the one who should be making sure you get out of here safely" Dwight stated. Jim laughed at this, "Okay Dwight, then please will you do me the pleasure of taking me outside safely?" Dwight rolled his eyes at Jim's childish ways, but got up from his desk anyways. "After you" Jim said sticking his arm forward, Dwight walked in front of Jim, yet Jim still opened the door first for him. "Thanks" Dwight mumbled, a slight blush on his cheeks.
The two made their way out to the parking lot, the sun was starting to set, casting a golden glow all over them. Jim walked past his own car, walking with Dwight to his own car. When they arrived at Dwight's car, Dwight didn't quite feel like leaving. "I guess i'll see you next week" Dwight said opening his door to put his brief case in. "Uh yeah, I guess you will Dwight" Jim said smiling, his hands in his pockets. Dwight smiled back, leaning against his car. "Did you end up getting the cookies?" asked Dwight. Jim chuckled, "actually no, I didn't." "That's too bad, you'll have to get some next week, my treat" Dwight replied. Jim smiled at this and felt now was the chance to put himself out there. "Thanks Dwight, it's a date then" Jim bravely said, even though he felt anything but. Dwight looked taken aback for a second but a slow smile came to his face. He looked up at Jim and then shyly said "sure Jim, i'll see you Monday." Jim smiled back, wishing Dwight a good weekend. He walked to his own car and pumped his fist in the air. He was really making some good progress here. As he got in his car he called Pam, telling her what just happened. To say she was excited for him was an understatement, but he couldn't lie he was definitely as loud as her in voicing his excitement. Monday could not get hear sooner, something he did not think he would ever want.
