"Hey there! Thanks for checking in as always!"

"No problem, Adid"

The early morning sun illuminated the red bricks in a unique way, making even the building give off a glow. I'd stayed late that day and ended up working through the night, managing data and organizing everything that I could before vacation. It was working off the clock, but I figured that if I did it'd keep me on everyone's good side and probably help my job.

Sai, sitting on the edge, says "The morning air, huh?"

"Of course! It certainly helps before the drive home. Just wish I could actually work from home; no point to working at the office when a home computer does just the same right?" I reply, flicking a bit of ash off my cigarette. I promised I'd quit them and I was actually doing pretty well. I figured once after a 6 month streak of not I could use a puff.

"Then you don't get to talk to me!" Sai replied

"Yes, our glorious conversations would never happen. How tragic."

He laughed as I turned away, still watching as the cars below began coming in. As a few parking spots began to fill, the people below in their suits and attire all began filing into the building. Though their masks were on, they still talked to each other closely. I felt weird thinking about it, so instead I take a swig of water.

Sunny talks again, "I suppose you should start heading down soon. You can gloat to everyone that you're in the building not needing to work huh?" I laugh and reply, "I doubt anyone cares, man."

The door leading to the stairway opens behind me. When I turned, I saw a man in a bluish black suit walk up and toward me. He seemed to have been rushing, but when we meet glances he stops for a second. For the briefest instant I sense dismay in his voice, but it's followed by a smile as he says, "All-nighter!"

"Jacob! Yea, you know what's up. Figured if I work hard before I leave I'd be sure that I wouldn't get fired you know? Also help the department a bit, heh." I turned away with this reply, walking towards the ledge. I heard an audible sigh, confusing me. It was almost like he was frusturated.

"You're a lucky bastard, Adid." He walked towards the ledge as well, the slight and cold breeze marking my face with a cool kiss. I hoped that if enough of it blew in my eyes, the pressure would magically disappear and I could jump straight into bed after driving hoe safely. "You need to trust me more."

The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

My stomach churned slightly then; "No yea, of course yea yea, nah it's just I want to make sure that I'm doing work because I need the job and, well you know right?" I chuckled, but it was a struggle to hold in my nervousness. My hands were starting to shake and I could feel my head starting to becoming numb. I leaned heavily against the ledge then and closed my eyes, focusing on trying to breathe as I fought off the urge to fall.

Through the haze of my mind, I could hear Jacob continue, "I'm being serious. You're doing fine, Adid. You do your work, you've helped us grow. You need the vacation anyways!" Even when fighting off a fall, I seethed with poison in my head. I knew he didn't mean it! This is capitalism! I could be replaced within a day and nobody would care. I knew he really would prefer someone else. If I had my way I'd have left everything behind and chanced a life in the wild, but I know that I'd die within the week of doing so.

As the feeling in my head subsided and my body began to slow its shaing down, I decided to talk to Sai; "How about you, Sai? Think I've been good?" He doesn't reply.

Jacob floated a question into the air; "Sai? Who..."

I turn inquisitvely to Sunny; "Come on, I know you've got something to say."

Jacob finally reacted. In disbelief, he asked, "Are you talking to the fucking sun?"

I turned to him, responding gravely, "Do you have a problem with that?"

Jacob seemed ready to explode, but he forced himself to calm down and said, "Sai is a plant, you dolt. And the sun won't respond to you, dumb ass. Can't you just talk to us?" He seemed stressed, which was weird because he had a nice car and beautiful life and overall was much better off than I was.

"I know that much. It's just nice to talk with them though. You get it, right?" I began to walk towards the door that would lead downstairs. I was embarrased enough that he found out about them. But I was fine with it, really. It figured that if anyone else wasn't going to like me and friend me I might as well friend something else.

Jacob stood still for a moment before walking after me. He kept saying, "Jesus man. I can't keep dealing with this. I keep getting complaints that whenever someone tries to talk you just end up ghosting or ignoring them. And I mean it's alright if you like your space! I'm not going to fire, hell even think of sending a warning because god knows that when it comes down to it you do your work! Just reply or say something back, man."

As I walked down the stairs, I kept shaking my head. I knew the truth. The second I'd talk they'd all burst out laughing. The worst part is that I knew how stupid I was. I knew I was a dumb piece of shit who barely functioned as an adult, but damn it if that was the case I'd have to let as few people know as possible. I replied tightly, "I'm sorry, I'll try better."

As I reached the door out of the building, Jacob finally puts a hand on my shoulder.

"Just...try and talk to someone, okay? Like, I remember how much you helped me in college and after. Hell, all of this in a way is because of you, so when I see you I can't help wanting to help man. I can see something's wrong!" His eyes looked...glassy as his hands seem to slightly vibrate.

I laughed before saying, "No no, it's alright, don't worry about it. I'm fine, really. I'll see you next week." I find my van in the lot and walk to it, leaving Jacob to look at me. I turned around and gave him a quick wave before getting in and turning on the car. As I began to drive off, I thought about the day, hoping that I'd done right by everyone.

After all, if I didn't I'd be screwed.