#jowards

Junior had been fixated over this impending conversation. So much of his life felt like it had been uprooted from right beneath him. It was normal to be battling a bit with his nerves. However, this was one of the things within the last month that he was most sure about. In true Junior fashion, he’d mulled over all possible conversation scenarios, practically rehearsing what he wanted to say, as he was figuring out his own true feelings. He just hoped his fear of misspeaking and his bad habit of self-debilitating sacrifice for doing the right thing wouldn’t get in his way.

His first day officially back at his old job wasn’t until tomorrow, but he had some paperwork to take care of beforehand. The plan was to meet his grandfather at his office. Yet, he knew as he entered through the Atrium that as soon as he would lock eyes with Asha’s silhouette, he’d gravitate towards her. And that’s exactly what he did, for as Junior walked into the British Ministry that afternoon, he found himself mindlessly walking in the direction towards the newsstand. He slowly inched closer and closer, until there was no one around in vicinity; that’s when Junior gave a soft, yet shy smile, as he greeted the familiar face. “... Hey.”

The only subtle thing about Asha’s entrance to Junior’s office ten minutes into his lunch break, was her knock to make sure she wasn’t interrupting him. Once she was inside though, she didn’t say anything. First, she walked straight to his desk, setting down the bakery box in her hands and then she rounded the desk to give her friend a big hug. 

Asha only spoke after she pulled away from squeezing him and could look into his eyes. “I come bearing chocolate, as promised.” She smiled at him even if the tone of her hug, one which lasted several moments, was more somber.

Junior got off the elevator, still with only one sleeve of his coat on, as held not only his lunch but Asha’s lunch of the day prepared. As he turned the corner, into the main area of the Atrium, he could see her off in the distance helping a customer. He couldn’t help but smile. Not only did he get excited for this part of the day, but this was an opportunity to sneak up on her, since it was rare for him to ever get the upper hand between the two of them. He made sure to curve his path, to avoid her sight line. Soon as the customer was walking away out of vicinity, and he had managed to fit his hand into the other sleeve of his coat, Junior stealthily came up behind her. As he was over a foot taller than her, he leaned down to her head, and said, “Hey!” He hoped to spook her before asking in the most casual matter, “Ready to go?” 

[Junior walked up to Asha, recognizing her from a couple feet away as he was on his way out to pick up his lunch for the day.] Haven’t we met before?