Newspaper Boy

Final Plans

(Samuel's POV)

I was shaking so much as I sat at my desk, I'm sure even Rachel could feel the earth rumbling from where she was sitting. The longer I stared at the meeting room, trying to spot out his shadow, the more nervous I became. Did I mess up by checking on him? Is he going to be upset with me for the rest of this time? Is he actually going to be okay? So many questions pilling up in my head, but not from work, but from him.

That moment that I embraced him though was as if I actually felt him as a human. Part of me knew that he needed that, even if he didn't know himself. But what if-...

I had to take a deep breath before I went down into a spiral and tried to concentrate on my work again. The area was so quiet, I could only hear my throbbing heart echo inside of me as if it were a ticking clock. Speaking of clocks, I glanced over to check the time. Only passed 1pm. My mouth let out a disappointing sigh accidentally, making me slightly jump from embarrassment if anyone actually heard it. My eyes shot a glance over at Rachel, who was occupied with her work. I couldn't help but break the silence for now.

"Is he mad at me?" I whispered to her, though it was louder than I expected it. She only gave me a side-eye glance back and took a breath.

"Well, you did go into his office without permission." She stated, making me feel more embarrassed.

"I just...." I started to explain myself but I knew that it wouldn't go anywhere.

"Sammy, Sammy, Sammy. You're just trying too hard to get him." I heard her say, making me blush instantly.

"What-?!" I yelped, maybe a little too loud as I jumped, the papers in my hands flying almost everywhere. As if this wasn't embarrassing enough.

"No, no! I-It's nothing like that!" I objected but by the way she was looking at me, I knew that she can see right through. Defeated, I glanced down with a sigh before picking up the papers.

"Maybe I should try to make it up to him..." I said mainly to myself in a low mumble, but Rachel was able to hear me again. I don't know how she does it.

"Oh yeah? And how're you going to do that smartypants?" She replied in a snarky tone, her fingers still typing on her keyboard. Before I had a chance to even open my mouth, the occupied room across the way finally opened it doors. I only took a quick glanced to see the results but cowardly looked down at my desk once I spotted him again. Already feeling his heated energy pass by me as he made it back to his office, slamming the door loudly, almost breaking the glass and everything around us. I let out my breath but started to feel my bottom lip wiggle suddenly. I'm sure because of what I did that I was done for. I broke too many boundaries already, what an utter fool I was.

Before I came to the conclusion, I could've sworn I was hearing an echo calling my name. Maybe God telling me to stop trying? Or to not give up? What was it saying? It suddenly got louder.

"Hey! Earth to Samuel!" The familiar voice of Rachel broke the illusion. I yelped suddenly, caught completely off guard. My frighten look glanced towards her concern expression.

"He wants you in his office. So now it's okay to see him." She reported to me. But that only made my heart race faster.

This was it, I'm done for. Before I let my emotions get the best of me, I took a deep breath, jolted onto my feet and brace myself for any consequences that might occur. I'm for certain though that I was going to break any moment.  

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The atmosphere in the enclosed room was more tense now. This was scarier than I thought. I still couldn't look at him in the eyes, guilt overflown my entire body. Just one word and I'll pop. So I shuffled my way towards the chair in front of his desk, trying not to make a peep.

"You can sit down, you know." His sharp voice spired right through me, actually making me sit right down.

Neither of us made eye contact, his was on his screen once again, and mine glued to the floor. With only a few seconds passing by before the sudden slamming of his computer closing, now having his full attention on me. The guilt inside of me was flourishing.

"Sam." His voice once again making me on edge, as I slowly glanced up at him, catching his eyes directly at me. I didn't want to cry, but god if I could, I would've been long gone.

"I'm not mad at you, alright? You need to calm down." He reassured me, but part of me still thought that this could a trick. When I didn't answer, still too scared to his look of direct soften with a deep sigh.

"Okay. How about this? To make things level... Why don't we have dinner at my place tonight?" He encouraged.

That's what broke the ice entirely, especially coming from him. Completely surprised by the comment, all I could do was look at him, eyes widen, still contemplating whether or not this was a joke. But oh boy, I sure hope that it wasn't.

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(Ryan's POV)

Whatever I said got his attention. Did I regret saying any of it before addressing it with Tiffany? Not at all.

He kept looking at me as if I were a different creature he's never seen before, slightly putting me on edge.

"So, is that a 'yes' or 'no'?" I asked him, making sure he was still here with me. I watched him closely as he came back to life.

"I-.. I'm sorry sir, I was, just not expecting..." he started to ramble but paused to concentrate on where he was. It was as if I could see the wheels in his brain turning to comprehend my invitation. That moment his smile returned, I could feel my heart leap as well.

"I would be honored to sir!" He accepted with his joyful self again, which I missed, making me return a smile to him.

"Very well. How does 9pm sound?" I recommended, allowing us to have some time to get ready.

What was the reason for this sudden event that came to me? Was it to finally follow my heart's calling? To actually slow down and listen to it after years of neglect? Maybe I'll find the answers soon enough.

Sam's excited squeal unexpectedly broke my spiraling thoughts before I was truly lost inside there. Refocusing on him, and only him, finally made my body as ease before the anxiety rose again. It was an odd feeling, this sudden anxiety. I always based emotions on survival, but right now, maybe I could actually relax. 

"That sounds perfect sir! Though, if you don't mind me asking, how would I-..?" I already had to answer to his question. 

"I'll pick you up." I replied nonchalantly as I began to pretend to do my work, taking a glance at him to see if he caught my tone. "Unless..." I was hesitant to see him decline. 

"Oh! Why, of course! Yes! That'll be perfectly okay!" His response was quite jittery, but I didn't mind it this time. The sound of his nervous laughter always appealed to me. 

I took a pause before I went in too deep again. Not yet, take things slow. I reminded myself. 

After dismissing him back to his desk, that moment as he closed the door behind him, I was able to let out the breath I held in for too long. I felt exhausted, holding every feeling I had inside me. As much as I knew that I needed to relax, somehow part of me still needed to stay on the edge. But maybe with Sam, I won't have to anymore.