In six years of employment, I had never attended a team-building event, not one dinner, not a single company outing. Even the annual year-end party, the biggest event of the year, I had always found an excuse to avoid.
Eventually, everyone labeled me as the aloof, antisocial person. This time, since I was already planning to leave, I finally broke the pattern and joined the two-day company retreat.
Once I relaxed and played games, grilled, and chatted with coworkers, I realized they were all truly kind people.
When Wanda heard I was planning a trip to France, she playfully smacked my shoulder.
"You should have done this ages ago. You’re young. Why live like a hermit?”
I took a sip of my drink, emotions twisting in my chest. “Yeah… you’re right. I’m only now realizing how much I might’ve missed out on.”
For a love that led nowhere, I had missed the scenery of an entire world.
During those two days, Arianne’s messages never stopped.
[Are you having fun? Who are you with?”
[Where are you staying? Do you need me to come tonight?”
[What time are you heading back? Should I pick you up?]
[What are you doing? Why aren’t you replying?]