I think that this past week has been hard on all of us. For example, I chipped one of my teeth after tripping over thin air (as I tend to do), Jodie has had the flu since Tuesday, and as for Anton… where do I even begin with this guy? It’s always something with him. I think most of his problems are self-imposed, but I guess that doesn’t make them any less real to him. If I’m being honest, I think he’d benefit from being able to unwind and relax a bit. But, of course, he always finds a way to keep himself busy with one worrisome thing or another. This time it’s some research paper he’s been working on all week that’s really been putting him through the ringer.

He’s been obsessed with the stupid thing, never once taking a break. It’s become his entire life, and it’s honestly kind of concerning. He locks himself in his room and just types and researches all day and all night, and I’ve rarely seen him at all because he refuses to take a break. It’s only been a single week, and it’s embarrassing to admit, but I’m already starting to miss hanging out with him a bit…

It’s Friday afternoon, and all day, I’ve been at the kitchen table working on my latest Crayola masterpiece. I’m so focused on my drawing that I don’t even hear Anton enter the room.

“Hong, do you know where my copy of Practical Magic in the Modern Age has gone? I need it for a paper I’m writing, but can’t seem to find it anywhere,” Anton asks as he approaches me. His sudden appearance startled me slightly, but I try not to let it show.

“I dunno where your book’s gone,” I reply, “Why don’t you divine its location or something?”

“Hong, be reasonable,” he groans, putting his hands on the back of my chair, “It was on my desk earlier this morning, and now it’s nowhere to be found. I’ve been driving myself to the point of insanity trying to locate it. It can’t have gone far.”

“Well, what makes you think I’d know where it is?”

“Oh, I don’t know, I just thought you might have seen it out here somewhere. You’re not being very helpful.”

“Me? Helpful? Why should I be? Can’t you see I’m really busy here?” I reply, rolling my eyes at him, “It’ll probably turn up eventually. No need to freak out.”

“If I am to finish this paper in a timely manner, it is imperative that I find this book soon.”

“Okay, well, like I said already, I don’t know where your book is.”

Anton groans once more, pulling a chair from the table and sitting in it. He slumps forward, running his hands through his hair. His eyes are weary and glazed over from being at his computer for so long. He looks like he hasn’t slept in ages, and knowing how focused he can get on his papers, he probably hasn’t.

“Jeez, you look absolutely terrible,” I remark, “That paper of yours sure has been taking its toll on you, huh?”

“You could say that,” he replies, taking off his glasses and rubbing his eyes, “I feel like I’m running myself ragged.”

“So why don’t you take a break for a bit?” I ask, setting my crayons down and scooting my chair closer to his, “You definitely need one.”

“Oh, how I’d love to, but I told myself I wouldn’t rest until the whole thing was completed. Each second spent away from it is a second wasted as long as there’s still work to be done.”

“That’s crazy and you know it! Your paper’s not going anywhere, and if you keep working on it without stopping, you’ll just end up spinning your wheels. How about you go outside and get some fresh air for a while to get your mind off things? I mean, when was the last time you’ve gone outside?”

He puts his glasses back on and stares at me blankly.

“I… can’t seem to recall,” he mutters sheepishly.

“See, that’s what I’m saying!” I exclaim, “You’re giving yourself cabin fever just sitting in your room and staring at your computer all day and all night. Remember, all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy, right?”

“You make an excellent point. Once I find my book and finish my paper, I’ll–”

“Antooooooooon,” I whine, “Why not right now? The weather’s really, really nice today and you’ve been stressing out about that stupid paper all week. It’s Friday, you deserve to unwind a bit! We’ll only go out for a little while, and,” I smirk, narrowing my eyes and nudging his arm with my elbow, “When we come back I can help you look for your book.”

“Fine then,” he replies quietly, gritting his teeth, “I suppose I can afford a few minutes away from my work. But just know, I am holding you to your word. I expect you to help me search for my book upon our return.”

“Ha! I knew you’d come around! Give me a second and I’ll be ready to leave.”

Ignoring Anton’s glare, I quickly dart off to my room and throw on a coat and boots. I hastily comb through my tangled hair with my fingers and tie it back in a ponytail as we exit our dorm.

Since our dorm is only about a ten-minute walk from the beach, we ended up going there. The seaside is nice, and since it’s mid-Autumn there aren’t any other people here. There’s a crisp fall chill in the air, but despite that, the sky is mostly clear and I can feel the sun on my face.

“I haven’t been to the beach in some time,” Anton muses as we walk along the shore, “It’s peaceful here.”

“I figured being here would help you feel better,” I reply, “I couldn’t think of any other place more relaxing than the seaside.”

“Indeed. I must admit, my nerves have calmed some. You were right, after all. I suppose all I needed was a break.”

I smirk.

“See, I told you! I told you you’d feel better if you went out for a bit!”

“No need to rub it in,” Anton grimaces, “Your gloating is unbecoming.”

“Ugh, whatever. I’m just glad I was able to get you out of the house and hang out with you a little bit. I kinda missed doing that,” I stop in my tracks, looking at my feet, “I mean, I get that you’re busy and all, but outside of you teaching me, we don’t really hang out like we used to. I miss doing fun stuff with you.”

Anton stops walking too, turning to face me.

“I enjoy spending time with you as well, I value your companionship greatly,” he replies softly, “As an academic, I tend to get tunnel vision when working on projects. Oftentimes I become so engrossed in my work I lose sight of what’s truly important. I apologize for that. In the future, I’ll try to make more time for the both of us.”

“You really mean it?” I ask earnestly, looking up at him.

“Of course I do. I’d forgotten how pleasant it is to be in your presence, and away from home, no less.”

“Hehe, thanks,” I reply, tucking a lock of hair behind my ear. I can feel a breeze starting to pick up, and it’s making me shiver.

“Cold?” Anton asks.

“A little…”

“It’s only going to continue to grow colder, so we should probably head back home. It’s getting late, anyway, and I still have my paper to work on.”

I nod in agreement, and we make our way back to the dorm.

By the time we got back, my nose had started to run from how chilly it’d gotten. Although it was nice to be outside for a bit, I’m glad we went back when we did. As I look out my bedroom window, I can’t help but notice the dark clouds that are beginning to roll in from far away. It’s a stark contrast from how clear it was while we were still out.

It looks like it’s gonna rain tonight, I think to myself as I free my hair from its ponytail. As I take off my boots and toss them aside, I remember the main reason I came here. I walk over to my bed, reaching under the pillow and pulling out Anton’s weathered Practical Magic in the Modern Age book. I can’t help but grin devilishly– he’d fallen right into my trap!

I hid his book to distract him from his paper for a while because I’d missed spending time with him. I knew that, once he realized it was gone, he’d come out to look for it, and then I’d be able to use the powers of charm and persuasion to get him to hang out with me for a bit. Sounds stupid, I know, but had I asked him to hang out directly he would have definitely told me to fuck off and stop distracting him. That might’ve been a bit harebrained and dishonest of me, but hey, my plan worked, didn’t it?

I walk back to the living room, book in hand and feeling quite proud of myself.

“Anton~” I call out, “Look what I found!”

Anton is on his hands and knees with his head under the sofa, presumably looking for the very book I’ve got in my hands. He stands up, dusting himself off and looking a bit sheepish.

I hold his book in front of me, smiling silently.

“My book…! Where on earth did you find the damn thing?”

I rack my brain, attempting to come up with a lie that sounds believable before eventually deciding it would probably be kinder to just tell him the truth. He’s my friend, after all, and I don’t like keeping secrets from people I care about.

“Anton, to be honest, I stole your book and hid it in my room bec—”

“What? Why the hell would you do that?” He interrupts, clearly upset, “Hong, this paper I’m writing is highly important, and you know–”

“Okay, okay, I’m sorry, alright?” I mumble, frowning, “I hid it because I wanted you to take a break and hang out with me for a bit. I knew if I had just asked you normally, you would’ve angrily said no because you were too busy with your paper. I just wanted to hang out with you and I know it was a stupid thing to do. Please don’t be mad at me…”

Anton sighs, his angry expression softening some as I hand him the book.

“I will say that it was unkind of you to do such a thing, but I’m not mad. I suppose I’ve learned my lesson here. Thank you for being honest with me,” he replies, taking the book back, “In the future, I will try to be more considerate of your feelings so you don’t feel the need to resort to theft and manipulation.”

“Okay… You swear you’re not mad though, right?”

“I’m not. I’ll let it slide this time, seeing as I did enjoy my little break. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got a paper to finish.”

He starts to leave, but just as he reaches the hallway he stops, turning around and leaning against the wall.

“Perhaps sometime this weekend we can go on another walk. Granted it isn’t raining or too cold, of course. How does that sound?”

“That sounds really great!” I reply excitedly, smiling like an idiot, “I can’t wait!”

And so with that, this terrible week came to a close. Our feelings of stress and loneliness were all but gone that night, and I was left excited about all the wonderful things our weekend had in store.