It still felt unfamiliar but Orihime had become quite accustom to the morning work ritual.

To her surprize, her old boss just wasn't putting away enough money to keep the shop and was forced to shut it down a few months back. As soon as Orihime was given the information she applied for a new job with high hopes. Even with her aunt paying the rent, she still needed a sufficient amount for utilities and food.

The bakery department, number 12, was quite simply the same as her old job other than it being a self serve type of bakery with a lot more employee's. Within the short month she found herself surrounded by smiling faces and a boss like no other.

In the beginning she was extremely nervous. Her cheeks seemingly bright red as his office door closed. It seemed all a bit too over whelming for her first interview since she never had the opportunity to practice before. She became employed by ABCookies by being a familiar friend of owner, but in the end the man couldn't help being overwhelmed by her simple charm and caring personality.

Her new boss Garan she was now working for was a bit comical and oddly enough, childish. He was a nice man that quickly helped her adapt to the environment, in which she was very grateful. The bakery seemed like a harsh and tidy place when it came to organization, but when there were leftover's or new product, her boss would pull out a knife and share the food with his employee's. Everyone there seemed nice enough, but so far no one talked to her as much as Garan had, though she was easy to make friends with.

Orihime's smile was always of course on display, but here she had no reason to fake her smiling. It was a second home almost.

And there, she was grateful and lucky.

SERIOUSLY, Lucky.

Covered in sugar and muffin pan grease, Orihime put away the washed dishes. It seemed like just another 5 a.m. shift; the shelves were well stocked but the crowds of shoppers caused it to be another chaotic day. So in when they had time to relax her new co-worker and herself shared some spare oatmeal chocolate chip cookies with whip cream and muttered the usual. Personally, Orihime wasn't a girl of gossip but it was fairly popular amongst the teens working for the company to talk about their drink filled nights.

Her friend she was with now, Arisu, was pretty well known around the work place. Not in the bad she-dates-every-guy kind of way, though she can't seem to make up her mind on which boy to date most days. The girl was kind and a good listener. She was well interested in gossip for sure.

It was hard for Orihime to keep track of all the guys names, making her wonder. She would never understand how one girl could fall for so many different guys and still be happy. Or, she guessed it wouldn't really be falling, would it? In her head it was all too confusing and seemed very unnecessary but she was never a girl to judge.

For her, there was only one guy that could ever hold her attention.

"Ori-," Arisu poked before Garan budged in front of her to snatch a cookie. She ignored his intrusion and continued, "You feeling okay?"

"Mh," Orihime jolted suddenly, getting the whip cream on the brim of her lip.

At that Arisu had to chuckle. "You seem tired?"

She raised a hand, "Me? Oh no, I'm just-"

"You party last night?" Arisu poked.

"Um. No," Orihime hated constantly being the boring one in conversations like these, since it seemed like that's all her friends did, but she wasn't about to lie.

"Ah, is it a boy?" Arisu grinned, slightly hoping as she poked again.

"Orihime's not seeing anyone," Garan budged in proudly, "Ne? Orihime-chan?"

Orihime blinked, "A~ That's right."

Arisu glared back at Garan who made himself scarce and winked back towards the healer, "You can always tell me when you're ready."

Just then Kasane came around the corner with news that seemed to be urgent. She was very small and usually quite timid so it shocked Orihime to see her so eager. "Guys, guys! Come check it out! Produce has a new employee!"

Orihime was baffled by the sudden grab to the wrist she received by Arisu yet at the same time she wanted to play along.

"Who is it? Who are we-" Arisu scanned.

"How can you not spot him?" Kasane whined as the three girls peered around the bulk baked goods towards the guys in green aprons. They were all particularly tall but one out of the three there was the one that was without a doubt, the sight they were looking for. And as the newbie ruffled a hand through his orange shaggy hair, Orihime's mouth popped open.

"Wow," Arisu marveled, "Way to spot him, Kanase! Another good looking guy to chat up!"

Orihime couldn't help it as her eyes widened. If Ichigo was working there, than that meant he would be around her all the time, just around the corner. Then the thought struck her, why didn't I know about it this? He never told me he had applied here when he already knew I worked here? Her stomach felt slightly upset and at the same time she worried. Seeing Ichigo at school was enough embarrassment and now she had to deal with that at work too?

Arisu beamed, "Orihime, whaddya think? Isn't he hot?"

Just then the three boys turned as Itou, who was giving directions, pointed his finger in their direction. It was obvious the man had been pointing to the exit but Ichigo surprisingly excused himself anyways.

Just then the two girls near Orihime became nervous.

"Oh crap! He's coming!" Kanase squealed.

Orihime couldn't help but smile as they attempted to hide but her attention was soon caught by the call of her name. "Oi, Inoue!"

"Uh," She really had no idea on how to re-act except for her usual response, "Ku-Kurosaki-kun?"

He smiled, "I'm glad I could tell you in person. You get my text?"

She became curious, "N-No. You text-ed me?"

It was nice for her to see him again. It seemed like it had been so long since they were together, and he was looking slightly more confident. It was unusual to see him that way but it oddly made her proud of him. After all they'd been through together her heart still sank when he spoke to her.

"I just let you know that I had applied. Couldn't be helped. Just need the money, you know?"

Orihime awkwardly giggled, "Well you chose a good place. Everyone's very nice here."

"Ya," He muttered, "Well I'm in the middle of training, so guess I should get back. See ya around."

She giggled again and waved her hand shyly, turning back towards two very impressed girls.

"No. Way," Arisu ogled Ichigo as he walked away, "You know him?"

Orihime softly scratched her head while thinking about her answer.

"Well, yes. We kind of go to the same school, and-" Both the girls looked at each other. "We're kind of close friends."

"I'll say," Arisu called out enthusiastically, "He's got your phone number!"

Orihime laughed shyly, "Anyways it's not important. We should get back to work."