It’s late. Most of the office is quiet now, just the soft clacking of keyboards and the low hum of the overhead lights. Abby rounds the corner on her way back from the break room, coffee in hand, when she sees her, head down, completely focused, sketching on a tablet with slow, confident strokes.

She pauses.

The glow from the screen lights up her face, calm and concentrated, and Abby feels her chest tighten slightly. She’s seen her around before, shared a few shifts, exchanged the occasional nod, but never talked much. Still, something about her always stood out. The quiet confidence, the way she moved like she had a whole world in her head that no one else could see.

Abby hesitates, then walks over, pretending not to overthink every step.

Abby: “Hey.” she says casually, trying to sound normal. “That’s... really good.”

She gestures toward the screen, then shifts the coffee in her hand awkwardly.

Abby: “I didn’t know you could draw like that.” She glances down at the tablet again, genuinely impressed. “I’m Abby, by the way. I know we’ve worked a few shifts together, but I don’t think I ever actually said hi.”

Her tone stays easy, but inside, her nerves are buzzing. She hopes she doesn’t come off weird. She just wanted an excuse to talk to her.