Just Following Orders

26 - Busy

♠𝙰𝚕𝚎𝚡♠

I stare blankly at my computer screen, paying no mind to Catalina who lists off the things and I have to finish today.

Catalina heavily sighs and closes her binder. "Got all that?" She smiles at me. I give a simple nod, not really wanting a conversation.

Catalina is nice enough. Bearable. But she talks too much and she doesn't seem to pick up on social cues. She doesn't seem to get that I do not want her in here regularly.

Catalina leans forward a little, like she wants to be closer to me than she already is. "How's that girlfriend of yours?" Catalina murmurs, her tone a little low and somewhat taunting.

"She's fine."

Actually, I don't know how she is. She hasn't texted me back yet. It's weird because she usually texts back quickly.

"What was her name again? Ally?" Catalina mutters to herself, bringing her hand towards her mouth as she traces her bottom lip.

My nose scrunches, annoyed. "Aaliyah." I correct her. I shouldn't be as annoyed as I am. It's a simple mistake.

Catalina shrugs. "Whoops." She giggles like it was fuckin' funny. "I see she's finally learned how important your work is." She nods to my phone that has yet to vibrate with a text or a call.

I glance at it, debating on texting her again. "She's just busy." I mumble, mainly assuring myself rather than replying to Catalina.

Catalina hums in response. "I should get back to my desk, huh?" She sighs, not bothering to reply to my pitiful attempt at dismissing the lack of words from Aaliyah.

"Yeah. Go." I grumble, looking at my computer. She should've left as soon as she closed that binder.

I see Catalina still sitting there out of the corner of my eye for a few seconds before she just gets up and leaves the room. I grab my phone as soon as she's gone, shooting Aaliyah a text like the desperate man I am.

I decide on asking her if she'll be busy after work. Maybe we could meet at the bar like she'd suggested. I saw her just a couple of days ago, but I want to see her again.

She doesn't reply immediately like she always does. It sends an uneasy feeling down my body. The feeling settles in the pit of my stomach where it might sit there for the rest of the day.

It's a little scary how my day can completely flip around just because of a simple text from her. Or, the lack of a simple text. But, it just serves as another reason of why I haven't told her anything yet.

If I get this wrecked over the lack of a stupid text, then how would I be if we had some sort of falling out? If she just never talked to me again.

I'd rather not find the answer to that question.

__________

ఌ𝙰𝚊𝚕𝚒𝚢𝚊𝚑ఌ

Groaning, I face plant on my bed. "Jerry!" I whine into the mattress. My voice comes out muffled but I hear Jerry quietly meow in response.

Today was a long day.

I feel Jerry's whiskers glide against my skin on my arm, tickling me. I lift my head to look at him, giving a little smile as I gently pet his head.

His eyes close and he tips his chin up, pushing closer to my hand as I pet him. He begins to purr, quiet and a little slow. "Sorry I'm so late tonight, buddy." I apologize to him. "I was busy figuring some things out.." I mumble.