Camilla

Hey there stranger!  No, that doesn’t sound right, after all he is a stranger and this is the first time meeting my new coworker and that is more of a friend saying. Oh why is this so hard! Is it normal to have so much anxiety meeting someone new? Hand sweat is a normal thing… maybe I will refrain from shaking his hand. Oh man. He is so hot… why couldn’t he be some ugly tech guy like Fred… Fred is easy to talk to. Poor Fred, he will find love one day. Then again who am I to judge. 

“ Camilla, come over here for a bit and meet Noah.“ Camilla’s Head of department spoke loudly over everyone else. “ You will be working for the next six weeks on the launch project together.” Camilla knew this was coming: the news letter that was sent only ten mins ago told her so.  For some reason Rhonda needed extra attention. Talking loudly over everyone was one of her ways to get it. 

Camilla stood and walked slowly to meet Noah. Unlike Rhonda she found it easier to be unnoticed.  Though she often did recognize that being unnoticed is also lonely. Maybe this time she could get slightly more noticed. The right greeting is a good place to start she assumed. Camellia’s thoughts took over the time the short distance she had to travel. 

Six weeks… I can do that. Human interaction is normal and I am normal. Ha ha ha. Well, I hope I'm normal. Should I not know by now if I am normal.  You're overthinking again Camilla.   Just say hi. Or maybe a slightly seductive, Hello.  You know, let him know I am interested but not needy.  I don’t need a man…right?  Camilla just calmly say “Hi, nice to meet you” You got this. 

Camilla finally approached Rhonda and Noah. Both smiling in their own ease. Greetings are things kindergartens master. Noah had a nice smile. It was the kind of smile that most girls swoon over, to Camilla the smile turned her tummy. This smile only meant awkward moments, and silent conversations buried deep in her head. Slowly she raised the corner of her lips in hopes to match the same facial expression of her coworkers. 

“My name is Camilla, I am your coworker for the Launch Project. We will be working together over the next six weeks.” Camilla stated in firm robotic sounds. 

Oh awesome. Just awesome. Breathe, smile...Smile normally. There you go… Now reach your hand forward…. 

Noah grabbed Camilla’s hand in a firm but friendly handshake. Inwardly he chuckled. He had no idea where all that came from, yet oddly he wanted to know more about this slightly awkward but hiddenly stunning woman in front of him. 

Rhonda did her best to bring the attention back to her and cover up any weirdness of what just happened. 

“ Well now that we know exactly who we are and what is going to happen over the next six weeks, lets show Noah where you two will be slaving away, shall we?” Rhonda laughed at her own expense then took the lead down the hallway to the conference room.  

Camilla sat frozen long enough to allow Noah and Rhonda to walk past her  and then in front of her. 

You could have just said Hi. It is simple and easy. HI… Hello…. Hola…IT’S  NOT HARD! Why does Rhonda have to do that anyway? It is really necessary to restate my awkwardness as if it would turn it into some kind of joke.  Noah is most likely  laughing his firm tushi off as we speak. Or worse… he is dreading the next six weeks.  Okay, breathe, think positive. 

Ahead of Camilla Rhonda and Noah conversed in casual conversation. Rhonda flirting, Noah kindly responding. Watching this interaction Camilla became determined to step out of herself.

Noah will start the conversation “Wanna get started Camilla”. I will walk in smoothly and sit on the table “What are you doing later tonight? There is a show downtown that could be really good.”  Noah will raise his head to my position and ponder for a bit, “Going out with you would be the highlight of my week.”  With just a hint of… Woah Camilla slow it down. I think you watch too many Hallmark Movies. Just go in and do the job Rhonda is paying you for. Let the interaction happen naturally… with ease. 

“Noah, what are some of your ideas on how to get the product launch advertised to reach the new age we have been hoping to reach? I loved the report you sent over! It was well thought through. I can see how we can use the angle to empower our audience to feel the journey of our product.”  Yeah that's better.. Keep it professional. But what if he asks me out?! What if He says things… That is a good thing to happen, right? That is what I want him to say… things. Things about me and him and us together. Yeah I want that. 

“Camilla, you want to grab some drinks after work with me?” He will say.

“I would like nothing better Noah. What time shall we meet up and where?” 

“Let's go right after work. I know a little spot that I think you will like.” 

“Where’s that at?” At this point I would be causally and comfortably sitting close to those lovely muscle arms. 

“ You will have to wait and see, it is part of the experience.” He will tease. 

“ Fine then, I can be patient.”  Ending with a smile and a gentle nudge.

Camilla looked down in delight as her thoughts consumed her reality. Forgetting to look up and keep track of the space in which she truly existed. Luckily Rhonda’s loud laugh brought her back. She barely was able to stop before ramming her whole self into the back side of Noah.  

 “Well here we are! You two have promised me great results and I don’t want to be left hanging in the wind. So get to work!” With a quick pat on Noah’s back Rhonda was gone. Noah feeling the slight awkwardness that hung in the air reached for the door handle. At the same time Camilla reached up for the door handle too. For a moment she froze then quickly pulled her hand away. Noah couldn’t help but notice the movement and chose to act as if nothing happened. He pulled the door open and simply stated “Shall we?” 

 Camilla nodded in response.