Pam could not believe she was doing this. She had actually just left Scranton to drive to New York. Finally, she was going to follow her dreams and work on her art. Pratt School of Design’s Graphic Design Program was what she was headed for.

When she was with Roy, she had always thought her dreams were silly and unreasonable. Roy was the one to make her think so. Now that she was Jim, her dreams were a big part of her life. She knew now that when you were with someone who actually loved you, they actually wanted you to be happy and follow your dreams.

That’s a big surprise, right? Pam thought to herself.

She couldn’t hold still, but unfortunately being in a car on the high way eliminates the possibility of running in circles. She was scared, excited, worried, sad, and happy all at the same time.

Scared, because she was starting college with twenty year olds who may or may not be but probably are way more talented then her.

Excited, because she was finally getting to live her dream.

Worried, because there was still that little voice in the back of her head saying, “You are going to fail. Don’t even try.”

Sad, because she was leaving Jim, the love of her life. She was leaving him for three months! They had never been apart for that long while they were dating.

What if he realizes that he isn’t willing to wait around for three month?... He wont, he loves you… Well, you never know he could, I mean, I’m not that great. She thought.

She tried to shake those depressing thoughts out of her mind when her cell phone rang. She grabbed it off of the dashboard and smiled when she saw who was calling.

“Hey” Pam said excitedly.

“Hi Beesly, You there yet?”

“Nope. Almost. I don’t know, I’m not really familiar with New York.” She sighed

“Wow, nice job. I’m going to laugh when you get lost” Jim chuckled.

“Ha-ha. Very funny.” Pam said as her previous thoughts came rushing back into her head.

What if he realizes that he isn’t willing to wait around for three months?... He wont, he loves you… Well, you never know, he could, I mean, I’m not that great. She sighed.

“What’s wrong?” he asked with concern.

“Nothing, I am just mad at myself for not knowing my way around New York.” She said, hoping he would buy it.

“That was a joke, right? Pam, I know you better than that. Now tell me what’s really wrong.”

She should have known he would notice she was lying. “Jim, you won’t leave me when I’m in New York because you realize that I’m not great enough for you to wait around for three months right?” Pam said biting her lip. Not because she thought the question was stupid, but because she was just afraid of the answer.

Jim just laughed. “Oh my god” he said and laughed some more. “You can’t be serious.”

“Uhm…yeah I kind of am.” She mumbled into the phone.

Right as she finished, the laughing on the other line stopped. “How could you ever think that? I would never leave you. Pam, I love you so much it feels like my heart is going to burst.” He said.

She let out a sigh of relief at his answer. “I love you too. Thanks.”

“No, you don’t ever have to thank me. I should be thanking you. Now, I don’t want you driving off the road because you’re talking to your boyfriend on the phone. Just call me when you get there.”

“Alright, I will; and I love you. Bye.”

“Bye.”

Then the line went dead.

Well, now that I got that cleared up, I can focus on getting to Pratt.

Twenty minutes later she pulled into the parking lot. She grabbed her boxes full of some clothes, toothbrush, cell phone charger, and other miscellaneous objects she thought she might need, out of her car. She got to the front desk and got her key. Here, she would be the Resident Advisor, so before getting to her room, she needed to fill out some paperwork. It was around seven by the time she got in the door to her room.

Wow, I feel like I am in college again. Oh wait, I am. This bed is meant for a teenager! Oh gosh, how will I ever survive! She thought, as she looked around the jail cell sized room.

It was nearly ten when she collapsed on her bed, fully expecting to fall asleep in a matter of minutes. OH MY GOD, JIM! Her mind screamed. She had completely forgotten to call him when she got in. He was probably waiting by the phone ready to call the police right about now. She picked up her phone only to realize it was dead.

Great. So if Jim had been calling, I wouldn’t know. Then, a thought popped into her head. Duh, you have a laptop. Just email him

To: JHalpert@yahoo.com
From: PBeesly@yahoo.com

Subject: I am alive don’t call the police!!

Jim,
I am so sorry times a billion. I got here and I haven’t stopped running around trying to make this room decent to live in. You would not believe the size of the bed. Then, I finally remembered and guess what? My phones dead. But, other than that, I got here without driving of the road and now I am going to try to sleep. I love you.
Pam.
P.s. I miss you already! Is that weird? I hope not.

She hit send and turned off her computer. Although she really wanted to hear his reply and talk to him all night, she knew she had to get to bed.

Tomorrow I have classes and God knows what that means. I have to get to bed now.

She was completely exhausted, but she didn’t sleep well. Always tossing and turning, she told herself it was the bed that made her so uncomfortable, but really, it was not being able to fall asleep in Jim’s arms.

He paced in front of his bed, cell phone in hand, awaiting the call that was supposed to come three hours ago. Horrible thoughts had been creeping in his mind all day long. They were the type of thoughts that he had to push out of his mind before he started to have a breakdown. Just as another thought crept in, his laptop dinged.

“One new message” it dully stated, but that was enough for Jim to nearly fly across the room to reach it.

Please be Pam. Please be Pam. Please be Pam. Please be Pam. Screamed his mind.
He nearly fell off the bed when he realized that it really was from her. As he read the message, relief washed over the worried expression on his face.

To: PBeesly@yahoo.com
From: JHalpert@yahoo.com

Subject: RE: I am alive don’t call the police!!

Pam,
I am glad that you finally decided that I was important enough to call with news that you are indeed alive. Charge your phone!
Some people would say that it is weird that you miss me already. I miss you too. So if you are weird, then so am I. I think we should be weird together.
Love Jim.

He thought that since he knew she was okay and he was really tired, he would be able to sleep.

Boy, was he wrong.

She woke up to the sound of her alarm clock screeching. Getting out of bed was tough but it’s not like she would have been able to fall back asleep anyway. Her laptop was on the desk in the corner, and even though she knew she didn’t have the time, she checked her e-mail anyway. Time definitely was not on her side, but she replied anyway.

To: Jhalpert@yahoo.com
From: Pbeesly@yahoo.com

Subject: My first day

Jim,
I accept your decision to be weird together, even though me being weird is not going to earn me many friends here. But that’s okay, I still have you.
Anyway, I am already late for my first day. Thanks a lot lol. Wish me luck!
Love Pam

She sighed and raced around the room to get ready. She made it out the door ten minutes late.

Great way to start the semester.


He was up before his alarm clock. He didn’t sleep much that night. The way she felt in his arms was a luxury he had grown used to and now that it was gone, sleeping soundly became impossible.

Might as well go in early.

He got himself dressed and ready to go. Even though it was eight in the morning, he made his way to work.

When he got to the office he realized he wasn’t the only one there. Dwight and Michael were having a conversation in Michael’s office. Dwight was on his knees typing something on his keyboard and Michael was in his chair talking to him.

Michael noticed immediately that he had arrived and shouted “Jimbo! What’s got you coming to work so early? I know that I am irresistible but-”

“No, Michael. I just didn’t sleep much. I was up early so I thought I would come in and start some work.” Jim said drowsily.

“Jim, why are you lacking sleep?” Dwight asked from Michael’s office, still kneeling on the floor.

“I just couldn’t sleep.”

“Liar. Don’t worry, I will have the answer in a matter of time.”

He had only been at work for two minutes and he could already tell it was going to be a long day. He groaned and looked up to Pam’s desk only to remember she wasn’t there.


She sighed as she exited the classroom. Making her way through the hallway and trying to text Jim at the same time was not a good idea. She collided with someone, causing him to drop his books all over the floor.

“Oh my gosh! I am so totally sorry. I was trying to text Jim and I wasn’t looking. Again I am really so sorry.” Pam gushed, feeling like a complete idiot.

“No harm done. And who is Jim?”

“Huh?” she asked and then remembered she had said she had been texting Jim. “Oh. He’s my boyfriend. We have been playing phone tag all day. Although, I now see that walking and texting is becoming a hazard.” Pam chuckled.

“That’s cool. Anyway I’m Dave. And I know that you’re the residential advisor. As much as I would like to stay and talk, but I have class. You probably do too. See you later.” He said.

“I’m Pam and you’re right, bye.”

She ran into class, once again forgetting to reply to Jim.

He sighed as he checked his phone. Again. For the sixteenth time. She must be in class.

“I have come to a conclusion on why you can not sleep.” Dwight announced.

“Yep. What is it?” he asked.

“Someone is coming after you.”

“And how did you come up with that one?” Jim asked trying to contain his laughter.

“Fact. You keep checking your phone for the time. This means you are in a hurry to leave and get away. Fact. You did not sleep because you could not sleep. You had to stay awake to make sure if anyone came, you would be awake to defend yourself. Am I not right?”

“Yes, that is exactly it. I am so scared. Dwight will you help me?” Jim said, trying not to burst or even smile.
Dwight leaned in and whispered “Jim, do not fear. As a former volunteer Sheriff Deputy it is my duty to ensure the safety of citizens. Lucky for you, you are a citizen and therefore I have to protect you.”

“Thanks buddy.” Jim sighed as he got up and headed to the break room.

He sat down all alone and thought about last night.

Aw, man. I forgot to check my email. He thought. He quickly finished his food and went to check his email.


She had gotten his email in the middle of class. The thought of talking to Jim made her so happy, she practically bolted from the room when class was over.

To: Pbeesly@yahoo.com
From: Jhalpert@yahoo.com

Subject: RE: My first day
Pam,
I am completely sure that you will make a ton of friends so don’t worry. Although I am glad that the thought of having me makes you so happy. I’m sorry that I am just so amazingly irresistible that you were late on your first day. Great first impression, huh? You don’t need luck, you are already so much better than every one else there.
Love, Jim

P.S. Not that you need it, good luck!

P.S.S Dwight thinks someone is after me…

Her mouse hovered over the reply button as a better idea popped into her head. Pam decided that calling him was something that she wanted to do more. She got her phone from her purse and called him. The phone rang endlessly, and with each unanswered ring, her heart sank lower. That was until she realized she should just call his work phone.