The next day, back at work, Zoey called another coder meeting.

"I wanna read you guys something." She said.

"If its from 'Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants', please don't spoil the ending." He covered his ears.

"Tobin, that's cute, but honestly, don't pretend you didn't do that book for your eighth grade book report." I said, causing the others to laugh.

"It's uh...my journal," She said, "that I've kept since my first day on the job. I thought maybe you'd like to hear my initial impressions of everyone. 'Wow. I can't believe I get to work at SPRQ Point with all of these incredibly smart, talented, and impressive men...and Mary, who let's be honest, is in a category all her own'." I smiled. " 'Please don't say anything stupid'. Andy Howard is-Oh, wait, he works at Google now. Chin Wu-"

"Got fired." I told her.

"JP Feakins-He had a nervous breakdown. Ok, ok, ok, ok, ok, here's one. Um, 'Has there ever been a bigger genius than Leif Donnelly?'." Everyone chuckled and I turned around, smiling at him. " 'I'm intimidated to even be in the same room as him and his dope cardigans'."

"Yeah, hey!' Everyone chorused in agreement.

" 'And Tobin Batra? This dude's a legend in the hacking community, and now he actually knows my name? I think I might be dreaming'." One of the guys reached over, high-fiving him. " 'And Max and Mary Richman. Is it to early to say, 'Friends for life?'." She closed her journal. "Look, I know not everyone is thrilled to have me as their boss, but believe me when I say, I know how good you are at your jobs...so I'm gonna try to let go and trust you more." She looked at me and I smiled, nodding in approval. "And in return, all I ask is that you trust me back. Understood?"Everyone nodded in agreement. "Now get back to work." Max high-fived her as everyone went back to their desks. I came to a stop in front of her.

"Look at you, a big impressive boss lady." I said. She smiled, shrugging.

"Well, I had some people give me some really great advice." I chuckled.

"I am pretty great." I said, flipping my hair. She nodded.

"You are. You are really great and...you're always there for me when I need you, and I'm sorry I don't tell you more just how appreciative I am to have you as my friend."

"Well thank you. For the record...I'm glad to have you too." She smiled, pulling me into a hug.

~~~

Later that night, Zoey was laying on the couch writing in her journal while I was curled up in a chair, doodling in mine, when we heard the front door open.

"Yo, Zo. Hey there, Mare." Mo announced, walking into the living room.

"Oh, wow, I guess we've just breezed right past the whole knocking and waiting for the other person to answer phrase." Zoey stated.

"When I get inspired, no doors will stand in my way." Mo shot back. "Now, I got a whole bunch of new ideas for us to try to test your musical powers. She sat down on the couch beside Zoey. "First one: Sensory deprivation tank. I can't see anything, I can't hear anything, but is there music? I don't know. Let's find out. Number two, we put you in a room with a whole bunch of mimes." I furrowed my eyebrows. "My worst nightmare may be your musical breakthrough."

"Creative, "Zoey told her, "Absolutely terrifying."

"Oh, praise God. Whew. Number three, we go to karaoke, see if people sing you their inner song at the same time they sing the crowd their outer songs."

"Ooh, that's a good one!" I said, pointing at her.

"Eh, could be cool. Could be confusing. Could be both. Let's see."

"Look, we can keep looking for ways to control my new ability," She sighed, "But what if there are no ways."

"I don't like that attitude."

"Nope, listen," She stood up, "It has happened enough times that we have actual research and data now. Some songs go by in a blip, as if no time has elapsed, other songs, I'm able to talk to you the entire time. Some songs are sung to me by complete strangers, others by my closest friends and family. Songs never happen when I want them to, only when I'm meant to hear them."

"Then what do we do about it?" Mo questioned. She sighed again.

"We go with it," I said, "It happens when it happens with no rhyme or reason so we just...let it happen."

"I'm just gonna have to live with my new musical power for a bit and see what the universe brings," Zoey added, "Did I really just say that out loud?"

"You did, and I'm kind of obsessed with you and inspired to paint right now. Mm." Mo got up, heading for the door and Zoey and I trailed after her.

"Silver lining in all of this, at least its got us talking and invading each other's personal spaces."

"Doors always open, Honey," Mo replied, "Unless I have a gentleman caller over, so if you hear Sade playing, I'd keep my distance." Just as she said this, my phone rang. I pulled it out of my pocket, furrowing my eyebrows as Leif's name popped up on the screen. "Speaking of Gentleman Caller." I chuckled, rolling my eyes at her.

"Goodnight, Mo."

"Go get him, boo!" I shook my head, heading back to my room and shutting the door, answering the phone.

"Hello?" I answered, flopping down on my stomach on my bed.

"Hi, its this Mary Richman?" He asked.

"This is actually a really bad time, I'm in the middle of committing corporate tax fraud. Can you call back later?" I smiled.

"I didn't know if your number had changed or not." He said dryly. "Now I kind of wish it had." I laughed.

"What's up, Ficus?" 

"Well um...I know you said the other day that you didn't really feel ready to hang out with me outside of work, but Tobin and I were gonna grab dinner and catch a movie, and I was wondering if you wanted to join us." I raised my eyebrows, sitting up. "I know you don't really like Tobin all that much-"

"I like Tobin." I interrupted.

"Really?" He asked. "But you two are taking shots at each other all the time."

"Yeah, but I do that with everybody. I kind of think our little back and forth is fun. But are you sure you want me to come?"

"Yeah, of course. why wouldn't I?"

"Just because...you know, dinner and a movie is something sacred that two bros do together-"

"Oh my gosh."

"I wouldn't want to be a third wheel, you know?" I laughed again, and it was almost as if I could hear him rolling his eyes. 

"Ha ha. Do you want to come or not?" I smiled, tucking my hair behind my ear.

"Yeah, I'm in."

"That's ok. I just thought I'd ask-wait really?"

"Yeah, I'm in," I repeated, "Where to?"

"You know that Steak House on California Street?" I furrowed my eyebrows.

"That's a nice, pretty expensive restaurant, isn't it?" I questioned.

"Yeah but...I know you were joking, but dinner and a movie is something that we take seriously." I chuckled.

"Ok, sounds good. When should I meet you there?"

"Say...an hour?"

"Yeah, perfect I'll see you in an hour."

"See you then." I hung up, and much to my dismay...

I couldn't stop smiling.