CATHERINE SMITH
I stayed as far away from Samuel as possible when I looked at my friend, who stared at me with a surprised expression after catching me in front of my residence in this situation.
Why, with Samuel, did I forget how far I was supposed to stay? I thought.
"Hi, Clay, I didn't know you were coming today," I said, trying to look as normal as possible, as if she hadn't seen anything unusual.
"Cath, who is that?" she asked curiously, looking at Samuel.
"Oh, yes! This is Samuel Park, my boss." I replied, stuttering as I glanced at Samuel.
"Samuel, this is Claire, my best friend I told you about earlier," I explained to him.
Clay looked surprised at me and Samuel, while Samuel seemed paralyzed as if he was trying to process something.
"Cath," Samuel repeated the nickname Cla
