Rachel

The new one arrived on a Tuesday.

I noticed him before he noticed the office. That's usually how it goes — people walk in looking at the space, the desks, the windows. Mapping the environment. Deciding if they belong here.

I filed that. First impression, unverified.

He'll introduce himself eventually. They always do. And in approximately four minutes I'll know exactly which category he falls into — the eager one who needs everyone to like him, the confident one who mistakes charm for competence, the quiet one performing depth, or the indifferent one who's already decided this place isn't worth the effort.

I've met all of them.

I returned to my screen.

Can I help you with something?

My voice came out exactly as intended. Neutral. Professional. The kind of tone that answers the question without opening a door.

I didn't look up immediately. Half a second. Enough to finish the line I was reading, enough to establish that whoever he is, he doesn't interrupt my work.

Then I looked up.

"Another one." I thought, automatically.

...probably.