This can’t be happening. It has to be a lie, a dream. My mind must be playing tricks on me. This isn’t real. I frantically flip over books and pieces of paper in hopes it would just be hiding. Like most things, maybe it is right in front of me, and I just can’t see it.

“What are you doing?” Hani asks.

I just ignore her. I’m too busy praying to any deity that will listen to please make it appear. Although, I’m so desperate, I might even ask Hani for help.

Finally, after practically destroying my desk, I surrender. It’s nowhere. It’s gone. Just like my hope of going to dinner with Miss Moon or being Miss Moon’s favourite.

“Here.” Miss Kang said, holding out a small, red USB stick. “This is Miss Moon’s USB. It encloses the most recent drafts of business proposals. She asked me to pass on the task of analysing and editing the proposals.”

My eyes widened. Even I knew this was quite a big deal in the department. After editing the proposals, they would be analysed by Miss Moon, then sent directly to the finance team. The proposals had to be accurate in order for the finance team to develop accounts and invoices correctly. I’m shocked that I had been entrusted with such an important task. Was that how much Miss Moon believed in my capabilities?

Pride bloomed in my chest, similar to the feeling I felt after my presentation. It had only been a couple of days but we had yet to set up a dinner date. However, I’m sure after this, Miss Moon would take me out immediately.

“Are you up for the task?” Miss Kang asks.

“Definitely!” I replied, grabbing it.

As soon as the next day came, I was going to spend all my time on the edits, making sure they were perfect and up to Miss Moon’s standards.

Little did I know today I would be going crazy trying to even find the USB to start the day.

I glance over at Miss Moon’s desk and feel my stomach plummet. I know I have to tell her. I just wish I didn’t have to. However, if I left it any longer, the problem wouldn’t rectify itself, and the longer I left it, the worse it would become. It’s too frightening to even imagine Miss Moon’s reaction then.

Taking a deep breath in, I shakily stand up and drag my feet towards Miss Moon’s desk. The closer I get the more I grit my teeth to keep myself from trembling. My heart drops as anxiety drags it down.

“Miss Moon.”

She looks at me with expecting eyes and I already want to retreat. I want to fold away like an origami swan, and then fly away.

“I have something to tell you.” I force. It’s painful like I’m trying to cough up a fish bone, or swallow it down. The words are getting stuck and cutting my throat.

“Is something wrong?” Miss Moon asks.

It’s true. Something is very wrong. I just don’t want to tell you.

“I lost the USB.” I finally spat out.

When I see Miss Moon’s bright smile falter, I know I’ve done something terrible.

“I’m really sorry.” I almost shout, almost bending my body in half with my deep bow.

“Are you sure you checked your desk?” Miss Kang asks, overhearing me. “I only gave it to you yesterday to make the edits.”

I stand straight and I already feel like the tears are going to slip out. “I’m sure. I checked all my drawers and my entire desk. It’s nowhere.”

“And it’s definitely not at home?” Miss Moon checks.

Even Miss Moon has to check. I really want to cry now.

I shake my head. “I didn’t take it with me. I swear the last place I put it was in my desk drawer.”

Miss Moon hesitates and I can’t bear to think what she’s going to say. I don’t know if there’s a ghost haunting the office, but I wish it didn’t pick me to torment. Although, if there is a ghost, I wish it would spirit me away at this moment.

However, Miss Moon smiles, although I know full well it’s forced. It makes me feel worse that she doesn’t want to scold me. I want to receive what I deserve, even if it’s a mistake.

“It’s okay Miss Jung, we’ll just have to carry on without the draft.”

“But Byulyi-”

Miss Moon gives Miss Kang an unreadable glance.

“Miss Moon.” Miss Kang corrects herself. “It’s going to set us at least two weeks back if we have to redo the draft proposals again.”

Miss Moon sighs and it’s one of the worst noises ever and I’m the cause of it. It’s all my fault.

I’m about to burst into tears.

“It’s okay, we’ll just to share it out amongst the team. I’m sure they will understand. I’m sorry Miss Jung, I think I gave you too much of a burden, too early on.”

The feeling of letting someone down, someone like Miss Moon who believed in me so much, is awful. I wish I could just bury myself because that’s how down I feel. I belong out of sight.

Miss Moon notices my reserved posture.

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