"Bert could you pick a sack of flour on your way back from work?" Mrs. Lawrence called from the kitchen.

Bert stood in front of the mirror and straightened his tie before putting his grey suit coat on.

"Sure thing. But remember, I'm 31. If I'm not back till late don't worry, I'm not dead," he laughed, walking towards the door.

Mrs. Lawrence met him there and gave Bert a big hug and kiss on the cheek.

"You be a good boy now!" she called as he ran down the steps.

"I will!" Bert yelled back, hopping into his convertible.

                 "Hiya Bert! How are things?" Jessie asked as Bert walked into the office.

"Same as always. Ever since I let mother live with me its been hectic, hectic, and more hectic. She just doesn't know when to take a break!"

"Hah, I know how that feels. My mom's the same way...But I don't live with her."

"Probably a wise choice," Bert answered, stealing a doughnut off the coffee table and walking into his secretary's office.

He had to go through her office to get to his own and it was purposely made that way so no one could slip in unnoticed.

"Oh Bert! There you are," Tae called, nearly bumping into Bert as she skidded to a stop.

"There is a large pile of papers on your desk," she began, indicating the size with her hands.

"Which I have placed there for the soul purpose of you looking at them. So do not shift them back to my desk while I'm on break. They are very important and must be gone through by one o'clock."

Bert opened his mouth to protest but Tae quickly patted him on the shoulder and grabbed her coat saying, "Well I'm gonna go have lunch. See ya in a few!" And with that she marched out the door.

"...Thanks..." Bert mumbled, laughing and scratching the back of his head.

After a moment of hesitation Bert eventually brought up the courage to walk into his office and immediately regretted it. Tae was not lying when she said 'large'. His desk looked like a warzone. Bert scanned through the papers one by one until the pile gradually grew smaller and smaller. Really just a bunch of reports from the college students, most of which were incredibly boring.

Then a knock came from the Secretary's office.

"Come in," Bert said, not even bothering to look up.

He knew full well who it was and he did not even know why she bothered knocking.

"Good boy," Tae teased as she came in, making sure to close the door.

"I thought you might want some help. No teacher likes reading the reports."

"You couldn't be more correct," Bert smiled, gesturing for Tae to sit down.

"But what if one of the students comes looking for you?"

"They ring the bell. Simple as that. Not to mention its Friday. I doubt any college students will be wasting their time preparing for next week's paper."

Bert nodded slightly realizing that she was right.

Tae was not only Bert's secretary but was also in charge of school records, research, and was also a substitute teacher. All the students came to her when they were having trouble with the assignments.

Bert however had one specific job. Teach Philosophy and grade the reports. Bert enjoyed teaching but reading through all those essays and grading them was an entirely different matter all together. Just sit and read for hours on end. But he was glad he had a secretary like Tae to help. She had this way of making almost anything fun.

"I bet you I can finish ten before you can," Tae said slyly.

Tilting his head to the side Bert looked at her with a curious grin plastered on his face.

"Really? You can't even finish a 20 chapter book in one week."

"That was one book B, not an exciting one at that. How about this. Whoever looses buys the other a milkshake down at Ted's. Deal?"

Bert could not resist the seemingly innocent smile on her face and shook Tae's hand.

"It doesn't matter anyway. I'll totally beat you" Bert said while Tae handed him a stack of ten papers.

"Hah, you so will not!"

................................................................................

"So what kind do you want?" Tae asked Bert as they looked up at the menu written on a billboard above the counter.

"You know what kind."

"What can I get for you two?" Ted asked wiping down the counter.

The three had known each other since grade school and there was really no need to ask what they wanted, but he did anyway.

"Well I'll have a vanilla milkshake, extra whipped cream, and caramel syrup. And for Bert a chocolate milkshake with only a little bit of whipped cream, lots of chocolate syrup and three cherries. Correct?"

"Correct," Bert answered. 

"Coming right up."

"So Tae I was asked by Mrs. Haven to be a chaperone for Jenny Jordan at the college prom and I need someone to go with me. Do you wanna come? We'll pretty much be serving drinks the whole time so its no biggy if you don't want to come."  

"Sure I'll come! What day?" Tae asked, giving Ted some cash before grabbing her milkshake.

"You're the secretary for the entire school, yet you don't know when the prom is?"

"Yes well I don't exactly have what you'd call a social life...You already know that!"

"Never mind. Its this Saturday."

"Dress code?"

"Not for the chaperones! But I would suggest not wearing your current attire," Bert told Tae, giving her a teasing look.

"What's wrong with my clothes?" Tae asked defensively.

To be exact Bert had a point. She was wearing work boots, like literal work boots, heavy duty pants, an oversized plaid shirt, and her hair was pulled back into a French braid.

"Alright maybe they're not the best clothes to be wearing to a prom. Don't worry, I will try and dress properly...But I can't wear a dress cause' I gave mine to Ma so that she could mend it before Sunday," Tae told him.

"Don't worry about it. You'll be behind a table most of the time so its not a problem. I'll pick you up at 1."

"Sounds good...Can't wait," Tae smiled, promptly stuffing her mouth with milkshake.

- Here's the next chapter! I know, nothing really exciting but don't worry, IT'LL COME! What do you think of Tae? What about Bert? What's your favorite kind of milkshake? I'd love to hear from ya'll. Thanks :D - Anna