Chapter Twenty

It was my first day on the new job. Ryan drove me to work since we only had one car. I didn't want to leave him stranded at the house. He told me he was going to go shopping for a few things today. Probably clothes and shoes for himself.

The first thing I noticed when I walked into this building was the cleanliness. My old job space wasn't exactly messy, but it was no where near this clean. The cubicles were glass. They were way bigger than the ones I used to have. They were three times as large. But I did have to share it with someone else. We had touchscreen laptops instead of the old, big computers. Even the chairs were the kind that spun around and had wheels. Everything was better here. I sat down in the seat my boss assigned me to. I look at the other chair but it was empty. Maybe I got this large cubical to myself.

I turned on the laptop and logged on with the information they gave me. I dug into the folder, which was surprisingly thin, for the work I was supposed to do today. Only four sheets? Holy shit I could finish this in like two hours. I looked into the folder again as if more work would suddenly appear.

"Four sheets?" Someone groaned from behind me. I turned around to see a guy leaning against the glass. He was holding a cup in his hands. Wearing an Iron Maiden's T-shirt and a pair of black jeans. So no dress code? "I guess they're trying to start you off with the hard work." He smiled.

"I guess." I smiled back. Hard work? Please.

"I'm Pete by the way." He held out his free hand and I shook it happily. "I'm your cubical buddy." He took the empty seat.

"I-I'm Brendon." Why was he talking to me? No one ever spoke to me at my old job. Well, except Spencer.

"I know. You're my neighbor."

"I thought it was cubical buddy." I joked. Good job, Brendon. Now he isn't going to want to be your friend because you're an idiot.

"No." He laughed. "I mean we're neighbors too. My husband and I saw you and your..." He trailed off. Waiting for me to explain who Ryan was.

"My husband." I lied.

"Your husband." He repeated. "We saw you and your husband arrive next door. We were going to go over and introduce ourselves, but Patrick didn't want to go over empty handed. He's probably going to buy a pie to take over today."

"Really? We're neighbors?"

"700 D. Valley, right?"

"Right." I nodded.

"My husband is going to flip when he finds out we work together. This is no coincidence. We were meant to be friends." He grinned. Turning to face his computer.

"I guess so."

I couldn't stop the dumb smile from coming to my face. I haven't even been here for an hour and I already had a friend. And he was my neighbor! It didn't take me long to finish all the work. I did it all in an hour and a half. I not too sure what I was supposed to do now.

"You done?" I turned around to nod, but realized that Pete wasn't the one who'd asked. And the person who did ask wasn't even talking to me.

"You know I'm not." Pete looked up at the man and smiled. "I was watching Orange is the New Black."

The man laughed. "Pete, I don't know why you aren't fired yet."

"Because when I do eventually do my job, I'm one of the best."

"Can't argue with that. Are you coming to the break from for lunch?"

"Yeah." He stood up. "I guess I'm hungry. Brendon, you coming?"

"I-I didn't bring lunch." How the hell did I forget that?

"That doesn't mean you can't take a break." He pulled me out of my seat. Dragging me front the cubical. "Gabe, this is Brendon. He's my neighbor."

"Sup, dude."

"Hey." I waved.

"You're introducing him to the whole crew?" Gabe asked Pete.

Pete nodded. "He's new. He's going to need some friends. Right, Brendon?"

I just nodded. I wasn't about to tell him that I'd only ever had one friend before. He didn't need to know how pathetic I was. If he was going to help me have some actual friends, I was going to be forever grateful.

I followed the two of them into the crowded break room. I guess everyone took their breaks at the same time around here. Everyone seemed to be wearing a pair of black jeans and some kind of T-shirt. I was the only one in a button up and tie. It made me feel out of place.

"Hey guys!" Gabe called out. The room erupted in a series of greetings. "This is Brendon." He placed his hand on my shoulder. "It's his first day. Make him feel at home."

Almost everyone stood up from their seats to approach me. Some people ruffled my hair. Others pinched my cheeks. A couple punched me in the arm. I laughed. They all seemed friendly. I was going to like it here a lot. I couldn't wait to go home and tell Ryan about this place.