-Disclaimer: If only I owned The Office…-
-Sorry for the delay, college finals were kicking my ass, so here is a short update-
I returned to work on the Wednesday after he left. After breaking up with Roy and moving into my own apartment, I took some much needed vacation days. I spent Monday and Tuesday in bed, crying and listening to my mom in the kitchen calling to cancel the wedding plans. I felt as though Jim's absence was breaking me in two.
Regret filled my very soul as I looked through photos of Jim and me. Comparing them to pictures of myself and Roy, I could see a light in my eyes when I was with Jim that didn't exist with Roy.
While I couldn't hold it against Jim for not saying goodbye, I felt like it was a sign that our friendship was really, truly over. And so, on that first day back, I continuously fought back the tears that threatened to fall in mourning of what could have been.
"Pama-lama-ding-dong!" Michael exclaimed as he walked through the door, 15 minutes late as usual. He had a mischievous look on his face, the kind of look that would creep out Michael Jackson.
I sighed wearily. "Good morning Michael," I said quietly before turning back to my computer and my front row view of Jim's empty desk.
"So, how was your vacay, Pam? Heard you and Roy finally broke up, about time!" he said through a huge smile. His enthusiasm almost makes me want to smile, but then I see the empty desk.
"You're right, Michael. It was long overdue." With that, I begin typing a memo, successfully ending the conversation before he can make any attempt at awkward "Michael" jokes.
Unfortunately, my solitude was short lived. Every single person in the office made a point of saying how sorry they were about me and Roy, with the exception of Creed. He caused my only true smile that first day back.
"Hello, you must be new! I'm Creed, if you need any help today!" he stated in a way only he can manage to make creepy and sweet at the same time.
"Hi Creed," I said, appeasing his alternate reality. I don't even notice I'm smiling until I see my reflection in the mirror on my desk.
"Be careful," he said, breaking my concentration. "If Andrea sees you smiling she'll think you are evil." And with a quick wink, he was gone, leaving my desk open to the next sympathy-giver.