The fluorescent lights of the accounting department seemed harsher than usual, each buzz a jarring reminder of his new reality. He found himself inexplicably restless, tapping his pen against his desk, staring at the phone like it held the secrets of the universe. He’d never cared for numbers, but now, the spreadsheets felt like a dull, gray curtain, obscuring something vibrant and exciting. He should be working, reviewing the quarterly reports, but his mind kept drifting, replaying the brief conversation he’d had with Sarah from marketing during his orientation. He pictured her smile, the way her eyes crinkled at the corners, and felt his cheeks flush.
His stomach did a funny flip-flop whenever she walked past his cubicle. He tried to act casual, maybe casually mention the weather or what a busy day it was, but the words felt clumsy as they fell from his mouth. He found himself lingering in the break room, pretending to refill his water bottle, just to catch a glimpse of her. Each sighting fueled the day-dreams, and each day-dream made the accounting department feel like an insurmountable mountain.
He found himself dressing better, selecting shirts he'd always shied away from. His tie seemed to be the perfect weight to be constantly adjusting.