Written for the Chutes and Ladders Challenge (just a dream)
It was just a dream. That's all. Just a silly dream.
But no matter how much Amelia tries to convince herself, the memory of it makes her blush. She most certainly should not be thinking of her coworkers in such a way. Especially coworkers she finds completely insufferable.
And yet…
"Stop it," she tells herself, taking a seat at her desk.
"Talking to yourself, Milly?" John chuckles as he enters her office. "I hear that's not exactly a good sign."
Amelia blushes furiously, unable to meet his gaze.
Just a dream.
Then why does she feel a sudden annoying temptation now?
"Something wrong?" he asks. "You usually look like you want to throw something at me when I call you Milly."
He called her Milly in her dream the night before. Somehow, Amelia hadn't minded. The memory makes her blush deepen.
"Right. You're acting stranger than usual. Got it," he says. "Silent treatment. Not my favorite."
He turns to leave. Amelia knows that she should let him. There is so much work to be done.
But flickers of her dream flash through her mind. It's ridiculous. She can hardly stand him. At least, that's what she's told herself for so long.
"John, wait," she calls.
He turns again, brows raised. "Yes?"
"I-"
She hesitates, unsure how to finish her sentence. She knows that she can't tell him about her dream. That would be horribly inappropriate in the workplace. Asking him out on a date seems too straining as well.
"I don't mind it when you call me Milly," she finishes weakly.
His lips quirk into a triumphant grin. "I always knew I'd grow on you, Milly," he chuckles. "Next thing I know, you'll be inviting me around for a nice shag after work."
Amelia laughs, the fire in her cheek spreading to her ears. "In your dreams," she says curtly. "Now, don't you have a job to do? I'm sure Fudge doesn't pay you to stand around and flirt with me."
John offers her a mock salute before hurrying along. Amelia watches him, shaking her head. Dreams, she decides, are terrible, ridiculous things.