We were polar opposites.
The first time we met, we never talked to each other. She had her circle and I have my own. I was a new hire and she’s an outstanding employee acknowledged by everyone. They said she works well. She’s good at what she does but she’s scary and has a temper. In school, you might categorize her in the club. She drinks, party hard and has a lot of boys trailing her.
I kept my distance. We don’t have any circumstance that we need to be together after all.
But one day, we did.

We had a company rearrangement. I was placed under her care. I didn’t know what to think and to expect. All I know is that, it’s going to be hard. I was a social butterfly. However, I never risked visiting the garden she belongs to. I was afraid I’d get pricked by her or by her friends.
The day that I have to work together with her came. And to be honest, I am beyond nervous.
I was petrified.
There was only silence. On normal cases, I’d break the ice and start a conversation to find similar interest and get to know the person but strangely, I didn’t.
I had been taking my time doing my job and I reached a dead end for about an hour already. I wasted thirty minutes more before I reached out to her.
“I need help,” I said.
She looked at me before taking over my work. She furiously typed on my laptop. I only stared at her work and would occasionally glance when she would stop and think. I began to study her. She tried her best not to do the convenient and wrong way.
‘She’s trying to set an example,’ I thought.
By the end of the day, we both laughed.
She did the convenient and wrong way.

I had found out a similarity.
We both want things fast.
Still, we were polar opposites.

You can classify me under the conservative type, the one who everybody loves. In school, you may even call me a teacher’s pet or a goody two shoes. Some don’t like me. They call me fake and grade conscious. But I’m the type who doesn’t back down.
One time, I had a conversation with one rebel schoolmate. She doesn’t like me. She told me I’m too good to be true. I told her I’m not. I’m not good. I have my fair share of mischief and secrets that I want to keep. I told her my views, my aspirations, that I am not simply a teacher’s or parent’s puppet but I have a mind of my own. I told her I choose who I am.
By the end of the day, I made a friend.

I’ve been an expert at that. I knew it. I can manipulate people.
I tell them what they want to hear. I know how they want individuality and positivism. I know when they need silence and I know when to give anything to them. Be it a word or a gift.
It was the same thing for her.
Although, we were polar opposites.

Months went to past. I don’t find her presence awkward anymore. Comfortable isn’t the right word either.
Safe sounds better.