Brave New Work

The hairs on the back of Joel's neck stood up. He felt the frission before he saw the looming figure by the doorway. Twisting in his seat, he drew a deep, silent breath. The cafeteria suddenly seemed to have shrunk. Maybe it was just the way Billy always seemed too big for any room he was in, his muscular frame surely more fit for a basketball court.

Joel cast his mind back to a time when they were still high school students. The teacher had been red in the face as she shouted at Billy that he would never amount to anything useful in life if he didn't stop throwing scrunched up paper at people, and start paying attention. It had been unusually harsh for Miss Gandhall, and Joel had secretly been cheering inside. It sure made up for some of the times Billy had pushed him around in front of the girls, even if it was a little bit painful to listen to. At least Billy had been quiet for the rest of the day, and Joel had been able to walk home without Billy's body trapping him against any walls.

The irony of he and Billy getting employed in the same company, despite Joel paying dutiful attention in all of Miss G's English lessons, was not lost on him. Neither was the fact that Billy had meandered all the way over to his table, and was now looming worse than ever right in front of him. Joel tried not to hunch over too badly, and squared his shoulders for good measure. The bastard just cocked a perfect eyebrow at his efforts, and sat down uninvited.

Silence was the best strategy, for sure. Nevermind Billy's characteristic smirk making a reappearance. Joel hadn't seen that little quirk since high school. He startled himself by biting his tongue at the distracting image. "Alright there, champ?", said Billy's smirk. It seemed fixed in place again, like back in the day. Joel's blush and stutter both decided to make a reappearance to complement it. "I..You just distracted me, that's all", his mouth seemed to volunteer. Perhaps he should bite his tongue again.

Billy's face seemed closer, perhaps to warm itself on Joel's deepening blush. The company would save a lot on electricity bills come winter if this kept up. Perhaps he should ask for a raise. Like a cheeky mindreader, Billy decided to help him with that, the warm pressure of his hand impossibly yet unmistakably on Joel's thigh. Joel's heart gave a lurch and started to race. His mind was not keeping up, as all he could think to do was curse his confusing body responses.

"You can't, I mean be careful", Joel hissed in an attempt to shout and whisper at the same time. "Why?", Billy countered, smirk growing to a smile. "We're at work", Joel replied in a panic. "We're on break", Billy retorted, hand giving a squeeze to punctuate the argument. In a mad moment, Joel dared to look around. Their colleagues were distracted by impossibly inane chit chat, considering the show that was happening at the corner table. "Someone will see", Joe tried anyway. "What do you suggest, then", asked Billy's smile, his perfect teeth, his lips... "If anyone is suggesting, it's you", Joel countered in what he hoped would sound like a series of coughs to any prying colleagues.

Adrenaline shot through him as Billy laughed out loud. Joel's hand shot towards the man's mouth to silence him, but he halted his movement just in time. Billy ignored the hand now hovering mid-air, fingers stroking the air uncertainly. "Okay", he said instead, eyes locked with Joel's. "I'm ... suggesting. See you after work, then?", another sqeeze.

No point in overthinking his replies now. Blurting out things at the top if his head had after all led him to a place they'd never gone in their younger days. Leaning into this strange new world, Joel simply let his lips say "Okay".




Notes ▼

Written for: "The Weekly Quickie Contest" 
Words: 662
Prompt: Enemies to Lovers