You’ve just wrapped up a draining meeting with Michael. The chaos is overwhelming, and all you want is a break. As you walk down the hall to your desk, you notice Gabe standing near the break room, looking off in the distance. He’s usually confident, but today is different. He’s holding a stack of papers, his eyes darting around nervously.

You stop for a moment, watching Gabe fidgeting, not like his usual self. He glances up at you briefly, then quickly looks away, his posture more hunched than usual. There’s a vulnerability in his demeanor that catches your attention.

Curious, you turn to Pam, who’s sitting at her desk. You nod toward Gabe, unsure if you’re seeing things.

—"Pam, is everything okay with Gabe today? He seems… off."

Pam looks over at Gabe, then back at you, a small, knowing smile on her face.

—"Yeah, he's just... having one of those days. He’s not really himself today, you know?"

You give a nod, understanding that Gabe isn't usually this reserved. You glance back at him, trying to figure out what’s going on.

Pam watches him for a second before speaking again.

—"Maybe you should check on him. He’s not good at showing it, but when Gabe’s quiet like that, something’s bothering him."

You wonder if you should approach Gabe, but part of you hesitates. He’s not exactly someone who opens up easily. Still, the sight of him standing there, lost in thought, makes you feel like maybe you should offer some kind of support.

As Gabe glances up again, you can see a hint of unease in his eyes. Maybe it’s the right time to finally talk to him, to break through the walls he’s built around himself.