Chapter Text
Lucy
As far as those childhood memories that I had, Summer, water, and sand were never my favorites. What I was able to recall was that, I was almost knocked out and got swept away by the waves which hit the beach during the family’s summer holiday at some random beach when I was 5 years old. Days of nightmares and countless hours with the therapist through the years had finally helped me to shake off the fear of it. Well... maybe not shake it off entirely but at least I could bear with the idea of stepping on the beaches without having an episode of a panic attack.
Apart from all my dramatic experiences and traumas, how on earth do I ever get myself involved with an education choice and a career path that required me to stay close to “water” is the million-dollar question that cried for an answer. Well, the answer is still at large for those who don't know me, and yet I have zero intention to clear their doubt on this. But being the Social Scientist who is attached to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is not as close to the “water” as people may be presumed, but the stationing and staying on the Honolulu Island of Hawai’i is.
My mom would have said, "Because you’re weird and you love being viewed as a weirdo." That probably explained all and I am kind of devoted to it but no, I just don't care much about others' POV and love just being me. Whatever it is, I just don’t care much.
I got a clearance today that I am officially completed my one-year probationary period and I am no longer to be called as “Rookie” by the fella colleagues, and my boss Tennant is scheduled to buy us a drink and have a karaoke night, as a celebration and/or some sort of welcome ceremony. I don’t particularly look forward to it but surely not objecting about it, as much as I hate singing but I do love some bonding time with my buddies.
I guess I am just all pumped up with the thought of me can finally losing the rookie’s title, time flies today and it's time to be off duty in the blink of an eye. I had an eye on my CITIZEN Chandler BM818, half past six.
“Jesse, Kai, I’ll go grab Ernie at Tech and be ready to head off, let’s say in ten?” As I lowered my head to pack my backpack, I throw a random ask over my shoulder.
“Tennant texted me saying she will be meeting us there, her video conference with bosses from mainland won’t be wrapping up anytime sooner than seven.”
I don’t get any answer from any of the guys but I sensed a small movement not far away from my back. While I am sitting at my workstation, I am literally back facing the main entrance of our office which annoyed me to the max. Thankfully, Tennant promised to let me adjust it to a more appropriate facing direction when I am no longer a probie, which I will definitely make that adjustment first thing itself tomorrow morning when I am stepping into the office.
I sighed in frustration and turns around to have my sense checked out. I was managed to peek at the other workstations while turning around and the guys were definitely off from sight, not odd but wondered where they were. When I finally caught my eye with the supposed movement from the entrance, I almost dropped the tablet I was holding and got myself suffocated for forgetting to breathe.
“Hi, I was just looking for Tennant,”
This one exquisite tall blonde with a husky voice gave me a little awkward smile. “I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but I kind of picked up where Tennant was about from you, and thought of seeks myself out without alerting you.”
Clearly, I am still not out from the stunning shock, because I have not heard any words from her except to acknowledge her bright eyes and the movement of her seductive lips.
She continued, “and definitely do not mean to irritate you, but clearly it did not turn out as what I was expected.”
I got this part, eventually, and got panicking for no reason. “oh no, not at all. I was just...I am just a bit frustrated with my sitting position, but never further extend to any other aspects beyond that.”
I grumbled. Blondie chuckled. My cheek blushed. Silence in the room.
“Well, I should get going. Thank you anyway.” She cleared her throat and breaks the silence.
“The pleasure is mine.” She nod at my response and left.
I feel a need to get to know her, so I run a little to catch her up from the hallway. I need to look up to meet her eyes, another circumstance that made me mad about my own heights once more. And I started to talk with my hands when I'm nervous and it makes me look silly.
I tuck the hands into pant pockets to suppress the nerves (or Hype?!) “Uhm...I’ll let Tennant know about you dropping by, and you are...”
“Oh sure, and thank you for that.” She grins, “It’s Whistler. Kate Whistler from Public Relations.”
“Okay, Ka...Whistler, I'll make sure Tennant is being conveyed. And I am Lucy by the way.”
“Lucy Tara, from Social Science...” I blushed, again. And feeling a bit foolish. “...in which you already knew.”
Her smile grew wild while her eye sparkled. “Nice meeting you Lucy. Have a great day.”
It may be my illusion, but I thought I saw her cheek blushing just right before she turned away and left.
I just stood there and stared, until she was out of my sight. If staring were waves, I would have created the greatest tsunami of all time.
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A week later
I never thought I would have such a positive attitude towards “going to work". Not that I am slack at work, I am more towards quoting myself as an average employee, that I treat my work seriously and will also try hard to keep my personal life in balance.
But lately, for the past week to be exact, I am being super early to work, like an hour and a half early than the normal working hours, and slightly late to be off from work, one to two hours later than usual. What am I trying to achieve from there? I don't specifically think through this, I just feel the need, that's all. And I got most of my pending works done and some even ahead of the deadline, so why not!?
“Luce, we get it, you’re competitive, “ Jesse, Senior Social Impact Analyst in my department commented. “and you can have the “Employee of the Month” title all year long and nobody will complain about that.”
Clearly not that! I yelled aloud in my head and how I wish I had a few pairs of eyes, so that I could roll my eyes to the end of the world.
“You just can’t stand the idea that I am outshining you." I can be sarcastic too, "No worry Jesse, I still love you no matter what.”
“And Kai, make your love pal behave, would you!?” I played my usual trick, trying to get under Jesse’s skin and annoyed him as much as possible.
“Love is such a strong word!!” Jesse and Kai blurted out simultaneously, I laughed hard at that as my trickery strikes again.
“That was fun, can we join?”
Tennant’s voice came from behind me. I scratched my head and take a deep breath, thinking of getting myself out of trouble by playing innocence. But the plan was not being able to execute as I am once again sinking into the panicking mode when I caught my eye on the blonde that standing beside Tennant. It’s her, with chuckles, and the irresistible profound eyes.
Tennant gave me her usual “behave yourself or I will make you behave” raise of eyebrow right before she and her walking towards the office.
I was choked in embarrassment but felt great to be able to make her smile, I mean for the blonde, not my boss. Those polarized feelings, god knows what is wrong with me!? I pounded with puzzles while watching her and Tennant entering Tennant’s office.
She turned and smiled at me subtly, seemingly intentionally or not, but the encounter was so short to the extent that, I even doubted it has actually happened. Above all, I don't know what I suppose to feel or think.
“Hey Jesse, that...”
“Yeah, Whistler from Public Relations, transferred from mainland approaching 1 month by now,” Jesse speak in his monotone without even lifting his head, and how great was that he can get me even though I wasn’t even finishing my sentences. Or maybe I am just like an open book, simple to be read-through.
“Rising star, rumors that she’s having a strong backer as one of her family's members are high in rank at NOAA headquarters.” He elaborates further.
“By the way, I am not your personal Wikipedia because that is Ernie's cue.” and he doesn't sound as annoyed as his words may imply. “and Luce, I thought you should know better by now that you shouldn’t eat and shit at the same place!”
I felt offended, jumped up fast, and punched his arm as hard as I could be.
Jesse howled in pain. “Easy Tiger! I am just stating the facts.”
“No! Harmed! Fouled!” I almost roar in his ear but with a lower volume, not only my boss is around but there's also someone else that I need to impress for.
“It doesn't count as a date just because she bought me a crappy coffee from canteen and we have like 5 minutes chit-chat over the hallway.”
“Apart from her name is Skyler and she was the same dept with Ernie and left without giving any notice a month ago, I knew nothing more about her.”
“Ernie claimed that she left because of you...” Jesse Shrugged while saying this.
I am pissed. He just won't let go of this. “Yeah, and I’ll stuff a bomb into the mouths of rumormongers,”
Jesse raises both his hand, begging for mercy. “Fair enough, as long as not to me, I am cool with it.”
I gave him a disdainful glance and made faces at him.
I looked up when we had finally ended our silly argument, only to realize that all my interactions with Jesse out here were caught by her, as she is facing us while talking to Tennant.
Our eyes meet, but only last for a split second and she looks away.
There’s an unspeakable feeling sitting on my chest, lingering.