〔𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 ; 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘧𝘪𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘦𝘯〕
〔𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸'𝘴 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘥𝘪𝘸𝘢𝘭𝘪!〕

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WILLOW PULLED INTO THE PARKING LOT she did not miss at all. Luckily, the lot was mostly empty except for a blue Toyota. She exited her car and looked over at the Toyota, seeing a familiar head of strawberry blonde hair.

"Pam!" Willow called out. Pam turned around as Willow waved.

"Oh my God, Willow!" the two ran to each other and engulfed each other into a hug. 

"I missed you!"

"I missed you too!" 

The two began to make their way up to the office, engaged in conversation.

"So did you end up passing the course?" Pam asked.

"Yeah, actually. They rated my portfolio at the end and I got an A-!" Willow responded.

"Congrats!" Pam said as she went to unlock the doors of the office. Willow followed the strawberry-blonde inside as the lights flickered on. 

The sight of the mundane office Willow has worked in over the past year or so made the brunette sigh to herself. She knew it wouldn't be the same here as it was before she left. With Ryan taking Jim's place and her newfound resentment toward Dwight, it was definitely going to be different. Luckily she had Pam by her side and her brother a simple phone call away.

Willow walked over to her desk and sat in the uncomfortable chair she did not miss at all. She signed into her computer and looked around the empty office with a bored expression. She stood and made her way over to the kitchen to make herself a cup of coffee.

After a half hour, more people began coming in. The first was Phyllis, who gave Willow a small "welcome back" before going to her desk. Next came Kevin, who also said "welcome back" and gave her a fist bump. 

Many of her co-workers didn't acknowledge Willow's presence other than a quick hello, which she was fine with if she was being honest. Her return didn't really need to be advertised to a bunch of people who didn't really care whether she was there or not.

However, it was unrealistic to think that way.

As soon as Michael came in for work, she was mobbed by his chatty and energetic demeanor.

"Willow's back! Can you believe it? My favorite little Anne Hathaway! How was New York? Was Jan fine? You missed so much! Oscar left because I called him 'faggie,' Dwight betrayed me and is now doing my laundry and so so much more!" Willow slightly smirked at the idea of Dwight doing Michael's laundry. She looked over to Pam and gave her a look.

"Very nice, Michael. New York was fine." Willow replied.

"Wow! As a treat for your return, I am going to give you a $25 Visa Gift Card!" Michael reached into his suit pocket and handed Willow a small envelope.

"Oh... you didn't have to do that, Michael."

"I insist! I'm glad you're here!" 

"Aw, thank you." Willow said. Michael smiled and made his way into his office. Smiling at the small gesture, she put the envelope in her purse.

♡

Dwight entered the office and immediately smiled to himself at the sight of Willow Halpert sitting at her desk for the first time in four months. His walk quickened ever so slightly and got to his desk. He set his briefcase on top and looked over to Willow. She met his eyes for a second, but before he could say anything, she looked down at her keyboard. "Welcome back, Willow." 

"Hm." she hummed in response.

Willow said a quick hello to Ryan as he sat in Jim's old seat. Not even a minute passed before Willow heard the familiar squeal of Kelly Kapoor.

"OH MY GOD WILLOW WELCOME BACK! I'M SO GLAD YOU'RE HERE! OH MY GOD HOW WAS NEW YORK? I'M HAVING A DIWALI PARTY TONIGHT OH MY GOD YOU'RE BACK FOR MY PARTY!"

"Okay okay, hi Kelly." Willow said as she looked over to Ryan.

"OH MY GOD, RYAN! I HAVE THE PERFECT THING FOR YOU TO WEAR TONIGHT!" Kelly squealed as she grabbed Ryan's arm and dragged him out of the office.

Eventually the two came back, Ryan wearing a long gray piece of clothing.

"Here you go." Kelly said as she buttoned it up for him.

"Nice dress, Ryan." Michael snickered, exiting his office.

"It's not a dress. It's a kurta."

"Okay." Michael laughed.

"You look so handsome."

"Really you do. I love the material." Pam chimed in.

"It looks great." Willow added.

"I know." Kelly said.

"Why didn't you get me one?" Michael asked.

"Um..."

♡

"How do I feel about being back? Well, it's great to see Pam again. But, there isn't really much to be overjoyed about when your brother is in another state and you have to sit across from the prick that broke your heart. Other than that, I'm glad to hang out with Pam again." Willow explained.

♡

"Okay, so, between Meredith's Mini-van and if I borrow Bob's Yukon that should fit about twelve people." Phyllis said.

Phyllis, Pam, Meredith and Willow sat in the break room discussing carpool plans.

"I actually might not go." Pam responded.

"Aw, how come?" Willow asked.

"Dunno, I'm feeling kind of tired."

"Do you want to make Appletini's and watch 'Sex and the City' at my place?" Meredith asked.

"Oh, I don't know. I haven't decided yet."

♡

"Diwali is a very important holiday for the Hindus."

Michael called the employees in for a meeting regarding the event tonight. Willow added conference room meetings to her mental list of things she did not miss about going back to work, being followed by seeing Dwight and Angela.

"But, frankly, I'm a little appalled that none of you know very much about Indian culture. So, without further ado, Kelly you are on." Michael gestured towards Kelly, who stood and walked to the front of the conference room.

"Um... Diwali is awesome. And there's food, and there's going to be dancing, and... Oh! I got the raddest outfit. It has, um... sparkles-"

"Kelly? Why don't you tell us a little bit about the origins of the holiday."

"Oh, um... I don't know. It's really old, I think."

"How many gods do you have?" Angela asked earning an eye roll from Willow.

"Like hundreds, I think. Maybe more than that."

"And that blue busty gal? What's her story?" Angela pointed to the wall where an image of a Hindu Goddess was displayed.

"She looks like Pam from the neck down." Kevin commented.

"Pam wishes." Dwight said.

"Shut up." Willow snapped. The male looked down, looking apologetic.

"Thanks." Pam whispered.

"Anyway. Kelly, I'll take this one. Diwali is a Celebration of the Coronation of the God-King Rama. After his epic battle with Ravana, the Demon King of Lanka. It symbolizes the battle between good and evil-"

"Alright, alright, alright, alright. This isn't 'Lord of the Rings.'" Michael cut Dwight off.

"Yeah, we didn't need a history lesson, but okay." Willow whispered, looking down at her nails.

"Is there something you need to say to me, Miss Halpert?" Dwight asked.

"Yeah, I got a couple things. Number one-"

"OKAY! Enough with the bickering! Now, a lot of people say that Kelly is one in a million and that's true, but it's also not true. Because, frankly, there are literally billions of people just like Kelly in the world. Here are some famous Indians." Michael said as he pulled up a slideshow.

"Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar. He is a Nobel prize-winning physicist. Impressive. Apu from the Simpsons. Hilarious Indian. M. Night Shyamalan. 'The Village,' 'Unbreakable,' 'Sixth Sense...'"

"I see dead people." Dwight interrupted, quoting a line from the movie.

"Okay, spoiler alert."

"He was dead the whole time."

"Just stop it." 

♡

Willow groaned to herself as the meeting continued. 

"And another thing about the Indian people. They love sex positions. I present to you the 'Kama Sutra.' I mean look at that. Who's seen that before?" Michael asked while showing an image of what he mentioned.

"I have. That's the 'Union of the Monkey.'" Creed answered.

"Oh, that's what they call it." Meredith said.

"This is the best meeting we've ever had." Kevin cheered.

"Thank you, Kevin." Michael answered.

"I find this incredibly offensive." Angela scolded.

"Did anyone ask?" Willow muttered, earning a small giggle from Pam.

"I find it beautiful." Michael answered before Angela could say anything to the Halpert.

"Well, whatever Kelly wants to do in her own house is fine but we shouldn't all be subjected to it." 

"Well, I'm filing that under 'no one asked.'" Willow murmured, softer this time.

"Actually, she's right. This isn't appropriate. Why don't I take these." Toby chimed in as he began collecting pamphlets Michael distributed earlier.

"No, You're not going to collect them." Michael complained.

"Yes."

"No. This is delightful, charming culture."

♡

When four o'clock hit, Willow quickly went over to reception as everyone left to get to Kelly's party. 

"Are you gonna go to the party?" the brunette asked.

"I don't know. Are you?" Pam answered.

"Honestly, I'll go if you do." 

"Wanna get something to eat?"

"Yeah, sure! We need to catch up anyway."

"Oh, for sure."

♡

Pam and Willow met in the parking lot of Cooper's Seafood House and walked in. 

After they got seated and gave their orders in, they quickly began talking with each other.

"I don't remember where you said your photography class was. Where was it again?" Pam said.

"I went to the Pratt Institute. It's actually a great place, maybe if they have a painting course you should go to take it." Willow replied.

"Oh, that's cool. I'm actually taking a local art class right now."

"Nice! I fucking hate Angela."

"I could see that during the meeting." Pam giggled as she took a sip of wine their waiter set down. 

"I mean, I know I'm acting childish right now, but I'm still not over him. I left this damn town to try and get my shit together, but I still missed him. Hell, I think I still have feelings for him!"

"Wow. If you wanna know, I think he missed you too. When you were gone, sometimes I'd catch him looking over to your desk with some sort of pout or something."

"No way. You're lying."

"It's true."

"Wow. Yet he's still with... that..."

"Hussy."

Willow let out a wheeze at the word. "What does that even mean?"

"I have no clue!" Pam giggled.

"Whatever. I remember when I called Jim the other night he threatened to beat 'er up for me." the two began laughing.

"Aw. I miss Jim."

"I do too."

"And... I don't know if this is irrational, but I think I..."

"Like him?"

"Wha-? How did you-"

"I saw the way you looked at him sometimes."

"You know I called off my wedding because of him."

"No way!"

"Yeah."

♡

Willow walked over to the entrance of the building where Pam was. They noticed a cameraman in the corner of the small hallway.

"We decided to come." Willow told him.

"I feel a little under dressed, but at least I'm not dressed like a slutty cheerleader, right?" Pam responded.

"Nah, you look great." Willow said as the two slipped their shoes off and made their way inside the large hall.

It was decked out with many different traditional Hindu decorations. A song presumably in Hindi blasted on the speakers. There was a buffet and many tables filled with people. Willow recognized a few of her coworkers, some speaking with people presumably Kelly's friends and family. She followed Pam to the buffet as Kelly ran over to the two.

"I'm so glad you both could come!" Kelly squealed, wrapping her arms around the two.

"It looks really nice in here!" Willow commented as Kelly put a couple of leis around Willow and Pam.

"Thank you sooo much!" 

♡

Giggling, Pam dragged Willow onto the dance floor as Beyonce's Crazy In Love began playing over the speaker. Willow took a chug of a drink she held as her and Pam began to dance to the song.

"Got me looking so crazy right now, your love's got me looking so crazy right now!" Willow began singing. Pam started giggling and attempting to mirror her moves. 

The women continued to dance and laugh with each other, having the time of their lives. Many of Willow's worries began to melt away as she began to belt out more of the lyrics.

"Go Willow!" Pam giggled as Willow spun a bit, downing the rest of her drink.

"Woo!" she cheered as she threw the red cup onto a nearby empty table. She felt herself turn slightly, only to be greeted by Dwight staring right at her. She gave him a glare and dragged Pam on the opposite side of the dance floor.

"What's wrong?" Pam asked.

"Dwight was staring at me."

"What the hell?"

"I know. Whatever, I need another drink." Willow walked back toward the buffet/bar area and ordered herself a second beer. As she began walking back to the dance floor, she felt someone grab her wrist and pull her in their direction. Setting her eyes on the person, she scoffed and rolled her eyes. "What do you want from me, Dwight?"

"Something. You've been avoiding me like I have the plague. Wait, do I have the plague?"

"No, idiot, you don't have the plague. And what is the point of talking to you when... You know what? Stay away from me." Willow snapped as she felt herself tear up. She turned on her heel and began to walk out of the building. Before she could do so, she heard her boss over the loudspeaker.

"Um, everyone? I'm sorry. Could I have your attention, please. Thank you. Ah, hi. Sorry. I just have an announcement to make." Michael said.

"Oh no." Willow muttered to herself.

"I have learned a lot about Indian culture tonight. But I have learned even more about love. And I know you're all thinking, 'who is this crazy gringo and what is he talking about?' Well, I'm not crazy. Maybe I'm crazy in love. So without further ado, Carol? Carol Stills. I would like you to do me the honor of making me your husband." 

Willow felt her jaw drop as she looked over to the woman in the blue cheerleader's dress in front of Michael, who was his girlfriend, Carol. 

"Are you seeing this?" Pam asked, walking over to Willow.

"I was just about to leave, hot damn Michael." the brunette replied.

"How come?"

"Dwight."

"Ah."

"Can we talk about this in private?" the two heard Carol ask. They looked at each other in amusement.

"Are you still gonna go?" Pam asked.

"Yeah, I can't take Dwight anymore. I had a great time with you though!" Willow said as she gave Pam a hug.

"Me too! See you Monday!" Pam waved as Willow put her shoes on and began walking to her car.

On the way back home, she heard her cellphone ring. Quickly grabbing it and flipping it open, she answered it. "Hello?"

"Oh my God, she answered. Karen, she answered! Hiii, Willow!" a familiar voice slurred.

"Jim? Are you drunk?"

"Yes, ma'am! I... drank. A lot. And now I'm in the car with my best friend Karen!"

"You're not driving, right?"

"Karen! Say hi to my sister!" Willow stifled a laugh as she heard a very quiet 'hello' from presumably Karen.

"Jim, you're such a doofus. Give the phone to Karen."

"Okay, okay, okay. Karen! Phone!" Willow giggled to herself at her poor brother's state.

"This is Karen."

"Hi Karen, I'm Jim's sister."

"I know, I heard a lot from him about you."

"Cool. Listen, can you make sure the poor bastard doesn't die?" 

"Of course."

"Thanks, have a good night." Willow said as she closed the phone. Rolling her eyes and smiling, she pulled into her designated parking spot at her apartment complex. She smiled, happy she had a good night with Pam, and, for once, glad she got to tell Dwight off.