"Everyone, I have an announcement," Michael stated walking into the office.
Everyone gazed up at him. I had been arguing with Angela for the past hour trying to get the expense reports in order because someone, her, didn't scan them in properly and they didn't have dates on any of them. She was trying to tell me, a person who she has said should not and will not deal with the expense reports, that it was my fault that they were unorganized and needed to be re-filed.
"Meredith was run over in the parking lot this morning," Michael sighed.
"Oh my god," Pam exclaimed.
"Is she okay?" I asked.
"I took her to the hospital," He replied.
"Did you see who did it?" Jim questioned.
"I know exactly who did it," Michael stated. "I might have even been in that car that hit her."
Everyone fell silent.
"Michael," I mumbled. "Did you hit her?"
"I, uhm, yes I did."
"Michael," I sighed and shook my head.
"The doctors did everything they could and she's going to be okay. She just has a broken pelvis," He informed us.
"I never thought Michael could be that stupid," I told the camera shaking my head. "I guess I was wrong. I should have learned from the fact that he thinks the D for drive means do it up."
"Guess what Michael did," I said to Toby as I walked into the annex.
"Something stupid?" He replied.
"Well, yes but be more specific."
"What could possibly be more specific than something stupid?" He asked turning to me.
"He ran over Meredith in the parking lot. That's more specific," I responded.
"He didn't," Toby shook his head.
"Oh but he did," I said putting the bean sprouts that Creed had given me into my mouth.
My phone rang.
"Hello?"
"Hey Amber," It was Ryan. Oh yes, he had taken Jan's job. "I need you to file an office accident report."
"I don't file that," I replied.
"Please don't argue with me on this," He said.
"That's what Toby is for," I insisted.
"Just do it," He hung up.
"Toby, you need to do an accident report," I huffed and hung up my end.
"Sounded like he wanted you to do it," Toby smirked.
"I'm not HR," I addressed eating the last of the bean sprouts.
"Hey," Pam walked in. "So, Michael wants us all to go to the hospital right now."
"Can't I go at lunch?" I asked.
"No no, we are all going now!" Michael yelled from the front office.
"Lunch is only an hour away!" I yelled back.
"Now!"
I glared into the camera, sighed, and grabbed my things. Toby was actually looking excited for once. I think he just wants to get out of the office. He's been down a lot lately. Michael has been giving him more crap than usual lately. I felt bad but no matter what I did, Michael still did it. Of course he didn't take me seriously either and always asked if I was on my period. I've been working there for months and I still wasn't used to Michael's lack of self-awareness.
"Oh Amber, we have one more spot!" Pam exclaimed out her car window.
"Oh, I'm just going to drive Toby, and myself," I smiled.
She nodded and went off to the hospital. I got in the car and started it up. Toby got in the passenger's side and we headed for the hospital. Toby had brought the accident report to fill out on the way. It was silent the ride there except for Toby's sighs, huffs, and mumbles. I don't know how he can write in a car. It's so legible too! I am impressed. Well, I'm always impressed with Toby. I grinned to myself. I'm especially impressed with him in bed.
I pulled into the hospital parking lot, and pulled into the closest spot to the entrance. I sighed, and leaned back, turning off my car. I didn't really want to go visit Meredith. That sounds wrong but, all I wanted to do was get my work done, and go home. Hayes didn't feel so good this morning but, I was frantically trying to get to work early so that I could get the expense reports corrected.
"Are you coming?"
I looked at Toby who had just broke my concentration.
"Yes," I nodded, and got out of the car.
"Are you okay?" He asked as we walked towards the entrance. Pam and everyone else were already walking through the doors.
"I'm fine. Hayes didn't feel so good this morning. I want to just do my work, and get home to take care of him," I mumbled.
"Well, hopefully this visit is quick," He murmured as we walked through the doors, and followed everyone to Meredith's room.
Meredith was sleeping soundly in her bed. We shouldn't be here. Let's just hope that she doesn't wake up. I wanted to get in and out.
"Is she asleep?" Someone asked.
"No," Michael replied. "She's in a coma."
"No, she isn't," The nurse interrupted, and left.
"Meredith," Michael whispered waving his hand infant of her face. "Meredith, all your friends from the office are here."
Meredith opened her eyes and fixed her position. She looked very uncomfortable; both because of the accident and because we were all here at the same time.
"Wow, and all at the same time," She huffed.
"We got you a balloon!" Michael exclaimed.
He tried to find a place to tie the balloon. On the chair would have been fine. Michael decided that tying the balloon to one of her tubes would be smart. As he tied, the tubing popped out from the needle. I sighed and rolled my eyes.
"Oh," He mumbled. "I'll get the nurse."
"No, no," Meredith shook her head. "Just put it back in."
Michael looked a little uncomfortable but, tried to put the tubing back anyway. The nurse had come in behind me and tried to look over my shoulder. She gasped and rushed to the bed side.
"What are you doing?" She asked grabbing the tubing from him, gently putting it back where it belonged, and left.
"Does it hurt Meredith?" Oscar asked.
"A little but they have me on some strong pain medication," She replied.
"What did they put you on?" Creed asked, intrigued. "Vicodin? Oxycontin?"
"I'm not... sure," Meredith whispered. "Well, it was nice seeing everyone. I will see you back in the office."
"Wait, wait," Oh no, Michael. "I think it would be good to publicly forgive me."
"Michael, I'm not forgiving you," Meredith insisted.
"I'm leaving if you want to join," I mentioned to Toby.
He nodded and we quietly left the hospital.
"Want to pick up something to eat on our way back?" I asked starting my car.
"Yeah, there's a good pizza place down the street from here," He said pointing to the left.
"Great," I replied stepping on the gas slightly.
"Are you okay?" Toby questioned.
"Yes," I answered. "I'm just a little frustrated with Michael."
"You and me both," He sighed as we pulled into the pizza place parking lot.
"I'm sure it'll be okay after this week," I hoped.
Toby leaned over and kissed me after I put my car in park. He hasn't kissed me like that in a couple of days and it felt amazing. I smiled as we parted ways.
"I'm sorry I've been a little distant," He mumbled. "It's just, Michael."
"I know," I smiled as we walked into the pizza place.
"Hi, what can I get you?" The guy behind the cashier asked.
"I'll have a slice of the caesar salad. To go," I told him with a smile.
"I'll have two regular slices, also to go," Toby said taking out his wallet.
"Oh, no," I laughed. "I'll pay."
"No, I got it," He grinned. "Besides, I threw your purse in the backseat so you would forget it."
I huffed, but I thanked him for the pizza. We went back to the office to find that Michael had called a meeting. I sighed, put the pizza on my desk and we both sat down in the meeting.
"Meredith has rabies," Michael exasperated.
"Michael, I don't think this is appropriate," I sighed.
"Well Amber, I don't think it's appropriated for you to bed dating Toby, but we can't have everything!" He exclaimed.
I gave the camera a disgruntled look and shut up.
"We've had so much bad luck today," He exasperated. "There is a curse on this office."
"A curse?" Jim asked.
"What is everyone's religious beliefs? Let's start with that," Michael ignored Jim. "Amber?"
"No, I'm not telling you my religion," I sneered.
The rest of them either shrugged him off or told him what their religion was. This is crazy. I also think that this is inappropriate for the work place.
"Okay, did someone walk or drive on an Indian burial ground?" Michael asked. "Toby?"
"No Michael," Toby sighed. "I did not violate an Indian burial ground."
"Michael, this is very inappropriate for the workplace. I'm going back to work for the next hour then leaving for the day," I grumbled getting up and going to my desk.
Dang Michael. How can you be this idiotic?
"A fun run," I sighed getting into work late. "Just what we need. More reasons to downsize this branch.
"Hey Amber! I hope you brought your tank top and shorts!" Michael exclaimed as I walked through the door.
"I brought running shorts, a t-shirt and my running sneakers," I mumbled passing him.
"I hope you brought your money too since, it's for charity," He replied.
I sighed and went through to the annex. I wasn't going to donate to a non-existence charity, especially Michael's non-existence charity. As I walked through the door, I saw a happy Toby. That made me happy. I smiled at him and sat down at my desk.
"You ready for the run?" He asked.
"I'd rather work, but I'm ready," I mumbled.
"Hey, I'll make it fun for you," He grinned. "If you come in first, I'll pay for our next date. If I come in first, you pay for our next date."
I thought for a second. "You have a deal Flenderson."
"Amber," Michael walked in. "Do you know any rabies doctors?"
"A rabies doctor?" I asked. "Michael, there's no such thing as a rabies doctor."
"Oh what do you know?," He scoffed and slammed the door behind him.
I grabbed my clothes and went to change in the bathroom. I closed the stall door and changed. I really just wanted to stay in that stall until the day was over, but I was not going to let Toby win this race. I put my work clothes in my bag and walked out of the bathroom to my desk.
"You look cute in shorts," Toby smiled.
I blushed. "Thank you."
"Okay, let's go!" I could hear Michael exclaim in the front office.
"Let's get this over with," I sighed.
"Hey, you can just sit this out and just pay for the next date," Toby smirked.
"Not happening," I grinned as we walked out of the building.
Jan was sitting under a tent ready to take names and give numbers. I gave my name first and took my number, putting it on my front. Toby came over and put his number on.
"Want help stretching your shins?" He asked.
"No, it's just a 5k. If I was more then I would," I replied stretching my thighs.
"Losers!" Michael yelled at us.
I looked into the camera and rolled my eyes. We got in line and I got ready to run. There was a "shooting" sound and we were off. Toby and I ran next to each other while Michael hurried past us. His loss. I haven't really run since I fell in the mud at the park. So, I am hoping that I win today. Jan was waiting halfway to give us some water. We both took some and threw the empty cup out in someones garbage can.
"Usually, about half way through races I have to go to the bathroom," Toby breathed. "But I feel great."
"You'll feel even better paying for our next date," I joked.
"That will be you," He smiled.
Coming to the end I picked up speed, leaving Toby behind a little. He laughed and picked up speed too. He wasn't winning, he wasn't winning.
"And Toby Flenderson is the winner!" Toby yelled we crossed the 'finish line'.
I put my hands on my thighs and tried to slow my breathing. Toby smiled and laughed. Shit. Well, at least we are going on a date.
"Do you want some water?" He asked handing me a bottle.
"Thanks," I coughed and opened the bottle.
Oscar, Creed, and Stanley pulled up in a taxi and quickly got out of the car. The taxi sped off and they sat in the chairs near the finish line.
"Where are we?" Toby asked.
"I don't know," Kelly shrugged. "Five kilometers from the office."
"He could't just make it a circle?" Toby complained.
"So, where are you thinking for our next date?" I giggled. '
"I don't know. I'll have to think about it," Toby grinned and kissed me on my cheek.
"Michael needs to go to a hospital," Jim stated helping Michael to a seat.
"Do you want me to call an ambulance?" I asked getting my phone ready.
"No, no, just someone take me to the emergency room," Michael sighed.
Dwight got his car and drove Michael to the hospital since, he is his emergency contact. I got my stuff and got into my car. I wasn't working when I was sweating like a pig. My date with Toby was actually tonight and just before I left, he decided to go to a new Thai place that he has been dying to try. I figured it would be a nice quiet place to eat and relax. This was a good day.
So sorry about the wait! It's the end of the semester so I'm loaded! I'm going to start working on the next chapter once this one is up!