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Paper Cuts
introduction

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I can feel you running
through my veins.

SHE FELL SILENT AS HE DUG AROUND IN HIS PENCIL CUP. Two bright pink circles came out, looped around his finger. "What are those?" she asked, her voice growing smaller.

His chest grew tight. He looked up at her with a shy smile, color casted over his round cheeks. "Um," he laughed nervously, holding up the product, "a ring made out of a post it note." Her eyes widened ever so slightly. Her own face growing warmer under his gaze. "For me?" His smile tripled in size. He took her hand in his, unconsciously gravitating toward her left hand. "For you," he answered lovingly. "Kind of as a promise, I guess. I want to marry you, Evie. Not now, but one day."

Were her eyes watering? Her breath caught in her throat. The paper slipped onto her finger. Much too big, but perfect in her eyes. "Okay," she exhaled, cheeks a bright pink. Jim smiled, bringing her hand to his lips. He kissed her knuckles softly, promptly stopping her heart. He held her hands, thumb running over her knuckles.

LONG DISTANCE IS HARD. That much was proven during the duration of their short lived relationship. It's been months since Jim took the job at the Stamford branch. It's been months since they decided to remain friends. And yet, everything seems to remind her of him.

Sometimes she finds herself thinking of him while she's at Pam's desk. She'll be talking to her friend and all of a sudden glance toward his empty desk only to find it void of his presence. Other times is with Dwight. They'll be eating lunch and she'll have hers just to have no one to share it with. Because he's gone.

She's not sad. Really, she isn't. She's happy for Jim. He's got a better paying job. He's made friends with his new co-workers. He's doing everything they had dreamed of... just without her. But she's not sad. No, why would she be sad?

Time would heal all wounds. That's what everyone's telling her when they notice her blank stares. Or when they accidentally bring up Jim in conversation and her smile fades just that fraction of a bit. She'll be okay after some time. She'll heal. Except the world seems to work in mysterious ways.

Because Stamford shuts down, and all of the employees are sent to the next best thing. Scranton.

How is time supposed to heal all wounds when the person behind them is right in front of her?

『••✎••』

You're the one I want
for the rest of my life.

yuko araki as
EVELYN ❛ EVIE ❜ TAKAHASHI

john krasinski as
JAMES ❛ JIM ❜ HALPERT

supporting cast . . .
ruth negga as payton mclaughlin
zane holtz as calum bennett
lizzie caplan as aurora winters
hayley williams as nina edwinson

The Office (US) cast as their
respective characters.

disclaimers . . .
i do not own The Office (US) or its characters.
i only own my original characters,
and their addition to the plot.

this book will hold mature topics such as
strong language, misogyny & sexism in the
workplace, suggestive jokes, dark humor,
talks about abortion, sexual harassment,
alcohol abuse, substance use, racism,
and toxic displays in a romantic relationship.

if there are any other topics i missed,
don't hesitate to tell me!

dedications . . .
to my favorite people
petals4soho ezekieIsfiguero
sundcys moonqlow jtleigh

from rumi . . .
book two here we come !

writing paper rings was one of the
best experiences for me. i can't
wait to continue jim & evie's story.

also,, you guys know that i don't like
pitting women against women so
remember that okay ? and there
are some new faces, and old faces
returning. hope you guys are ready !

i hope you guys
enjoy the book!

thank you for reading!

[☄︎] created: 09.07.2023
[☄︎] published: 16.05.2024
[☄︎] completed: 00.00.00