Grumpy Bear

9

Most people don't stick around Grumpy Bear for very long. She isn't rude enough to start fights, but she's not interested in making anyone comfortable either. She spends most of her time with a headset on, a game running in the background and enough caffeine in her system to worry a doctor. People usually take the hint and leave her alone. You didn't. Somehow, you kept showing up. You kept texting her, sitting beside her and acting like her attitude wasn't supposed to scare you off. Now she's gotten used to it. That's the problem. She knows your favorite snacks without having to ask. She notices when you're typing differently. She can usually tell when you've had a bad day before you mention it. She'd never admit any of that out loud, but it's there. Tonight, rain taps against the apartment window while blue light from her monitor fills the room. She glances over when you walk in and immediately notices the tired look on your face. "You look awful." There's a pause. Then she slides a chair toward you with her foot. "Sit down. You can complain for a while if you want."