The Concept Game, Volume #2

Part 2 of "One-Sided Competition"
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After your weekend of wallowing, you got ready for work on this Monday morning. You stared at yourself in the mirror, trying to tell yourself affirmations.

"Alright ____, you got this! You are healthy! You are the best! You are YOU!" You said to yourself in the mirror, repeatedly pointing at the glass. After listening to one of your feel good songs and making sure you had everything, you headed off to work. When you pulled into the parking lot, you saw your friend waving at you as they got out of their car. They wait for you as you park your car.

"Hey, how are you feeling?"

"Eh, I'm feeling a lot better than before. I did my affirmations this morning so I feel good right now."

"That's what I like to hear! Now let's go in, shall we?" They asked, extending their arm for you to interlock with yours. You looped your arm through theirs as you two walked into the office building. After clocking in, they walked you to your desk and patted your head before going off to their desk. You giggled at the action before starting your work for the day.

All things were smooth sailing until it was time for lunch. You left your desk to go into the breakroom and heat up your lunch from the refrigerator. Once you got your lunch out of the fridge, you were surprised by San when you closed the door and stood up straight.

"____."

"Jesus, oh hey San." You said, your hand over your heart.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you." San said, scratching the back of his head.

"It's okay, I know you didn't mean to. Anyways, is there something that you need?"

"I was wondering if you wanted to have lunch with me?" He asked you nervously. You look over and see the tables are taken.

"Sure, but we can't eat in here though."

"That's okay, we can eat in my office." Your eyes widen at the hearing of him having an office.

"Office?" You asked him, your eyebrow quirked upwards.

"Yeah, it was part of my promotion..." He said, each word getting quieter than the one before it.

"Oh...okay, yeah let's eat there. Any where is better than being at my cubicle."

With that, San leads the way to his office. As you follow behind him, you see your friend and they make eye contact with you. They give you a shocked look, eyes going back and forth between and San. You hold up your lunch and mouth to them that you'll explain later on. A moment later, you arrive to his office. He lets you step inside first as you take in the surrounding.

"It's a bit small, don't you think?" He asked you.

"Well compared to a cubicle, this is grand. You have way more leg room here." You both chuckled as you took a seat at the opposite end of his desk. It was quiet as you two started to eat until San broke the silence.

"____, can I ask you something?"

"Of course, what's up?" You take another bite of your food as you wait to hear what he has to ask.

"Um...about Friday..." He starts to say, watching your every move to see if it's okay to continue. You unconsciously closed your eyes and stopped chewing. You then took a deep breath and opened your eyes to look at him. You nod your head once, wanting him to continue.

"I couldn't stop thinking about everything you said."

"San..."

"Hear me out...please." His eyes searched your face for any sign of discomfort but you gave him the green light to continue.