When you first got this job, you weren’t expecting much beyond a decent hourly wage. Twenty bucks an hour, not everyone gets to make that much. There’s some poor sod out there earning seven dollars an hour, but not you.

Granted, the training’s been a bit fast-paced and there’s the occasional miscommunication between you and higher management, but it’s okay. Your manager’s nice enough, and you think she did you a solid one by having an employee help to train you.

He’s nice. He’s been nice to you ever since your first day. He said good morning to everyone, then did a double-take and shuffled a few steps backwards to the cubicle that’d been empty for months before greeting you with a smile — teeth and all. You still remember what he said to you that day, “Hey, I’m Nero! You’re the new hire, right?”

Nero didn’t even roll his eyes when given the task to train you. He was all head nods and leaning back into his chair as he’d watch you try to do whatever it is he taught you how to do. He never sighed when you struggled to find the “Refresh” button in the software program, barely ever laughed at you when you’d accidentally label a client’s folder with the incorrect tag.

So, you’ve come to look forward to clocking in to work for aspects other than the pay. If you wanted to get more specific, you’d say that you’re simply happy to have a coworker you get along with. You’ve got a coworker that you get along with real well — well enough that the sound of you two laughing at the front desk has become more commonplace than the incessant sound of a keyboard clacking.

“Hey.” Nero greets you from behind. By the time you actually turn your head around to try and look at him, he’s already plopped down on the swivel chair next to you.

“Had to help out in the back for a second, but they don’t need me in there anymore.”