Lesson 69- If you see someone being left out, invite them to join in.

I wake up early, much earlier than I needed to. In fact it’s barely past lunch time. Still in my pyjamas, I head to the kitchen and dig around until I find everything I need to make a cup of tea. Tea in hand, I wander into the bar and knock on Jane’s door. She opens up and waves at me.
“Hey Jane.” I sit on the bar and sip at my tea. I should feel relaxed, but I’m so restless. Why am I so restless? It’s not until I return to the kitchen to rinse my cup that I figure it out. Standing in front of the sink I find myself directly in a stream of sunlight from the window and I immediately want more. I walk around the entire building checking all the windows. Most of them don’t give a lot of sunlight, they’re too close to the neighbouring buildings. In the end, the best option is actually in the bar. There’s a small window by the door that gets decent light. I’ve never really noticed it until now because you can’t really see it at night. I find myself settling in on the floor and basking in the sunlight. I didn’t realise how much I was craving it until now. Actually, what I really want is to go outside and lay in the sun properly. Oh, a trip to the beach, that sounds heavenly. I sigh and rest my arms on the window sill and my head on my arms and there I stay just enjoying the warmth of the sun. I’m not sure how long I stay there but when I eventually sit up, my back is stiff and I feel groggy. I only get up because Jane is making a tapping noise repeatedly and I assume she wants my attention. I get up and rub at my tired eyes.
“Jane?” I ask wearily. She points towards the door behind the bar and I realise that the sun is starting to go down. It’s later than I thought. The others will probably be arriving any time now.
“Thanks Janey!” I tell her gratefully and rush out into the hallway. Jane must have known someone was close because within a few seconds of me stepping out, there’s a knocking on the door. I should probably have gotten dressed but oh well. I’m not actually working tonight, there’s nothing stopping me from just staying comfortable in my pyjamas. So I answer the door and find Laura waiting.
“Why is the door locked?” She immediately asks, much like Catcher did.
“Tori isn’t here yet. I offered to let you all in to get ready. We just can’t actually open up until he arrives is all. He was tired so I suggested he sleep in a little.” I explain, stepping aside to let her in. Laura shrugs and steps inside.
“He seriously agreed to that? Wow. Maybe Catch is right.” She says, more to herself than me.
“What do you mean? Right about what?” I ask.
“Oh… Uh… Well… He thinks Torin might be… Falling for you.” She says awkwardly. I raise an eyebrow.
“I’m torn between asking you what exactly you want me to do with this information or asking when you were gossiping about me.” I tell her. She shrugs.
“It’s not that I expect you to do anything, I just figured you should know. As for the rest… Well we have a group chat for everyone who works here… Except Torin… And you I guess. But you WOULD be invited… You know… If you had a phone. Shit, I’m really not helping am I?” She asks gingerly.
“Yeah not really, but I appreciate the acknowledgement of my non-invitation, even if I am super jealous of your phone privileges, I’m also curious about what else goes on in this chat.” I wonder.
“Mostly just Catcher and Laura gossiping about any and everyone who comes through the bar.” A gruff voice says from behind me. I whirl around to see Kyle standing in the doorway.
“Kyle!” I greet him excitedly. He warily steps inside and I immediately pull him into a hug which he tolerates but doesn’t return. I’m sniggering as I step away.
“Is there a reason you’re still in pyjamas?” Kyle asks. I’m about to answer when Catcher shows up.
“Kyle, how are you doing?” He greets him with a manly clap on the shoulder. Kyle shrugs.
“I’m fine… Hold up, why are you all here? There’s no reason for everyone to be working.” Kyle wonders. I grin and he immediately looks suspicious.
“They’re both here for the same reason I’m in pyjamas. I won’t be working tonight. I’ll be keeping you company instead.” I declare. Kyle glares at me.
“I don’t need a damn babysitter!” He objects. I shrug”
“But you have one anyway. You could argue or you could accept that there’s no getting rid of me.” I say cheerfully. Kyle groans.
“I should have known you were far too agreeable when we spoke earlier.” He grumbles and I laugh.
“You’re right you should have. But there’s nothing to be done about it. You can either put up with me hanging out all night, or you can just go home.” I lay his options out clearly and he sighs.
“Fine, but don’t get in my way.” He orders and I nod.
“Sure. I’ll be no trouble at all. Besides, I’m looking forward to having your cooking again.” I tell him with a smile. His grumpy expression softens a little and I smile even brighter. I should have known that complimenting his cooking was the way to his heart.

Laura and Catcher head out to the bar to start getting ready and I follow Kyle to the kitchen. He immediately sets to work, cutting up vegetables for what he informs me is going to be some kind of stew. I have no idea what exactly he’s making but from the way he describes it, my dinner is going to be amazing. I can’t wait.
“Where is Torin? Don’t you usually pester him? I thought it was weird, but I think I prefer it.” Kyle complains. I laugh.
“Yeah, yeah I know. Having me hovering over you is the worst, but you’re going to have to put up with it because I’m worried about you. Don’t worry, I’ll get my stuff and sit and draw or something, I’ll stay out of the way. As for Torin, he isn’t here yet.” I inform him. Kyle freezes in place.
“What? Shit. I shouldn’t be here.” he starts to look really flustered and starts packing everything away.
“Woah, hold up. It’s fine. You’re allowed to be here. Tori said it was fine as long as I let you all in.” I assure him. He eyes me suspiciously and without asking anything further he brushes past me and out to the bar. I don’t bother following him, I just listen from where I am.
“Are you both aware that Torin ISN’T HERE?” Kyle demands.
“Yeah he was late yesterday too.” Catcher answers.
“And the day before that he left before I did.” Laura answers.
“What the hell? I was gone for a few days and everything has changed!” Kyle sounds annoyed. I don’t see what the problem is. He doesn’t like it when Torin IS around and now he’s bothered that he’s not. He should make up his mind.
“It’s only in the last couple of days this has started happening. I don’t know what Rina did to the boss but all of a sudden he’s… Softer, more willing to negotiate. Well, with her at least.” Catcher adds.
“It’s so fun! People are going crazy talking about it. There are so many theories.” Laura chimes in. I think they might have forgotten that I can still HEAR them gossiping. All of a sudden I feel very left out, kind of excluded. For the first time since meeting them I really feel like the ‘new girl’ here. They have entire conversations that don’t involve me. Which is fine I guess. I mean, they don’t HAVE to include me in everything. It just stings a little bit, particularly since it’s not like I can just go out and find other people to talk to and confide in. Right now, they’re all I’ve got. Well, them and Torin. Is this how he feels being excluded all the time? It must be, except it’s much worse for him. I know they actually like me at least, even if I feel left out right now. Damn. I think I need to give Torin another hug.