The next morning, I'm on my way to work on the U79 train toward Dusseldorf. Across from me, Daniel sits, reading a newspaper he picked up on the way to the train station. I have some music playing on my phone and I take my little brown notebook. Inspiration strikes me to write something about my surroundings.

I glance at the carriage passengers, and start playing architect in my make-believe world. A lady is reading a book but often steals peeks at the man sitting next to her. She sneaks a peek at the tall gentleman in his tailored suit every time she turns her book page. I chuckle at the speed she reads each page just to steal another glance at the handsome stranger who is oblivious to her infatuation with his head buried on his mobile.

A pat on my knee brings me back from my construction of fake reality. I take my earphones out and stare at Daniel.

"What are you doing?" He stares at my little notebook amusedly.

"Nothing," I respond, clutching the book to avoid him looking at my words.

"Why are you staring at people?"

"I'm not." I close my notebook and put it inside the bag.

"Did I embarrass you? I didn't mean it." He offers an apologetic smile.

I shrug. "You wouldn't understand."

He closes his newspaper. "Try me."

I look back at the girl and then at Daniel. My cheeks are burning with embarrassment, but his cheeky smile gives me some courage to disclose my game to him.

"I play make believe..."

"Like a child?" He gives me an intrigued look.

"No! Like a writer does. I look at people, their reactions and create a story..."

"And is that what you're doing right now? Creating a story?" He looks at the girl that is stealing another glance at her crush. "With the girl there?" He leans back and gives me a teasing smile. "What's her story?"

I open my eyes, astonished at my impulse to disclose my little mind game with an almost stranger. I stay silent and look down. My cheeks burn with embarrassment.

He looks at me and clears his throat, sensing my discomfort. After all, we just met.

"What about if we have our first lesson?"

I smile, relieved that he decided not to pursue any further.

"So, what do you know in German?" he asks.

I laugh. "Nothing. I know absolutely squat."

He chuckles. "It can be nothing at all!"

"I told you! I took French!"

He smirks. "I guess you're regretting that choice now."

I slapped his leg, amusingly. "I didn't expect to come and live in Germany! Are you going to be this difficult?"

He raises his hands and smiles at me. "Okay, let's start with the basics. Do you know how to say yes and no?"

"Yes, Ja for yes, and nein for no. I might not have taken classes, but I'm not an idiot."

He laughs, "Don't be defensive."

"Don't be condescending." I roll my eyes, amused at our spirited exchange. "Where did you learn to speak English? In school?"

He adjusts himself in his seat. "Pretty much, and I travelled a bit in the United States when I was in Universitat."

"Ahhh! That's where the heavy American accent comes from."

He frowns. "Something wrong with my accent?"

"Everything about it is wrong. It sounds like you have a cold. But, constantly. It's just not proper pronunciation." I enunciate to make my point.

"You English are always so conceited!" he rebuts.

I cross my arms. "If you hadn't given me a place to live, and volunteered to teach me German, I would tell you right about now!"

He chuckles and stares at my crossed arms. "Don't be so judgmental of a person who communicates fluently in your language just because the accent is not right, according to you."

I chuckle and steal another glance at the girl, who, for the first time, has her eyes on me. I guess our laughter caught her attention. She gives me a soft smile before getting up from her seat.

"Are you planning to go back to Meerbusch?"

I look up and notice that Daniel is up alongside with the rest of the train population.

"Did you have breakfast?" I ask.

He shakes his head. "I don't eat breakfast."

He goes through the train barriers and I mimic him. "What kind of person doesn't eat breakfast?"

He puts his monthly pass back in his pocket. "This kind of person. Why? Are you hungry?"

"Starving. You realise I have nothing at home to eat, right?"

"Come, I'll show you a place you can get something to eat."

We arrive at a small coffee shop full of morning customers, eager to get their caffeine fix. He stops outside and places his hands in his pockets.

"You're going in there and order something for you to eat, and one black coffee for me." He says it as if it's an order. "Repeat after me. Kann ich bitte einen Blaubeermuffin und zwei schwarze Kaffees haben?" (Can I have a blueberry muffin and two black coffees, please?)

I repeat hesitantly. "Kann ich bitte einen..."

He smirks. "Blaubeermuffin.."

"Kann ich bitte einen Blaubeermuffin..." He gives me a little nod. "und zwei schwarze Kaffees...what was the last word?"

He shuffles his feet somewhat impatiently. "Haben."

"Kann ich bitte einen Blaubeermuffin und zwei schwarze Kaffees haben?"

"You got it. Go on."

I enter the small coffee shop and repeat the words, trying to memorise them.

A bald man approaches me from behind the counter. "Fraulein?"

I inhale deeply, ready to deliver my spiel. "Kann ich bitte einen Blaubeermuffin und zwei schwarze Kaffees haben?"

He nods and I jump a little in excitement. The man gives me two filter coffees and one blueberry muffin. I pay and leave the coffee shop.

Once outside, I do a little jump. "Did you see? I ordered coffee!"

He smiles. "Can you break down the sentence so you know which one is coffee?"

"Kaffees is coffees." I say, assuredly by my minor triumph.

He takes his cup from my hand. "Schwarze Kaffee is black coffee, Blaubeermuffin is..." he points at the paper bag peaking from my purse.

"Blueberry muffin, got it." I open the bag and sniff the muffin. "How did you know I would want the muffin?"

He takes a sip of his coffee. "They are amazing. Marie goes crazy for them."

I sigh in contentment with my minor victory while we make our way to the office.

Once again, we arrive at the office together. Marie glanced at us and frowned at Daniel pointedly as if he was betraying a nation for hanging out with the foreigner. But, I could not care less. I'm floating that I just held my own in a coffee shop, and not even Marie with her side glances can prevent me from having a great Friday.

"I read your article while having breakfast." Markus says impassively the moment I approach the desk. "I sent you some suggestions and additions, but otherwise, you did a great job. You have a way with words."

"Thank you. I have to say I struggled at first, but I'm glad you are happy with it. How was your meeting yesterday?"

He adjusts his glasses. "Fine. I think I'll take you to the next one. You'll learn a great deal from it."

I look around my workplace. For the first time since my arrival, it feels I can fit here somehow.

The open space area is a feature of a place that is buzzing and collaborative. People jump from desk to desk talking to each other. Departments don't seem to exist. But, even in a place without divisions, there are noticeable differences.

For example, the dress code for the office. Markus in front of me is wearing grey pants, a dark blue shirt and yellow suspenders that match his glasses. Marie's trademark spiked hair and fishnets is a staple of the office. But, then we have Daniel, Lukas or any of the others in upper management that wear a suit every day. In Lukas' case, a very expensive and tailored suit. There's no such thing as a casual Friday for them.

And then we have the space itself. The lack of walls doesn't mean absence of groups. The programmers gravitate towards the same space in the office. They are the first ones to arrive and the last to leave. They constantly have their eyes on the screen, with music blasting in their ears. The suits are the only ones with their own divided space. Particularly Daniel and Markus with their own office. They are constantly in meetings, glued to their phones, and are the most reserved.

But there is one element that is shared amongst the suits and goths, the hipsters, and the ties. Work means work. There's no idle chit chat around a kettle. No browsing the internet for personal matters. Or socialising during working hours. Even though this office culture is foreign to me, I also sense that I will appreciate it. It's weird, but liberating.

I look outside of my window after a long day of copywriting and Google analytics. This is the first time since my arrival that I had to take a jacket to work. There's a chill in the air announcing the proximity of autumn.

I wonder how Dusseldorf will look in winter. Does it snow? And, if so, how much? In London, we have some sleet and occasionally some snow but nothing earth shattering.

"Have a good weekend." Markus announces while gathering his things, breaking my mental pause from work.

I glance at the computer clock and see it's almost five.

"How was your day?"

I smile at my saviour. "Great, how was yours?"

"Fantastisch."

I narrow my eyes. "Fantastic?"

He nods with a smile.

"So, are you going to continue to tutor me while I shop for some food?"

Daniel's face falters. "I'm meeting friends in the city for a drink."

I blush. Of course, he has plans. He already babysat you enough.

"Right, of course. Sorry, that was presumptuous of me to assume you had nothing else to do but hang out with the lost girl."

"I was going to ask if you want to come?"

I take my purse from beneath my desk. "I don't want to intrude on your time with your friends."

He places his hands inside his trousers. "You're not. I'm inviting you."

I shut down my computer and tidy up my desk. "Only if you promise that I'm not intruding."

He smiles, "Promise, Kleiner." (Little one)

I get up. "Kleiner? What does that mean?"

He smirks. "You'll need to figure that one out yourself."