Jim Halpert Smile Novels & Stories

Just a little. He caught it instantly. “Was that a smile?” “No.” “It was definitely a smile.” “It was a twitch.” “Sure,” he said, grinning. “A very happy twitch.” I sighed, trying not to laugh. “You’re impossible.” He rested his chin on his hand, studying me. “You know, you should do that more.” “Do what?” “Smile. It suits you.” My chest did this annoying flutter thing that I immediately ignored. “You should try shutting up more,” I shot back.

At one point, he pulled his phone from his pocket and said, “You've been smiling for at least an hour now. That had not happened in a while.” “TJ, you're embarrassing me,” I said, looking around in fake shyness. “We need proof of this historic night,” He said, “To remind you of the first time you smiled after a life-changing experience. Also, for when you’re running your own business empire someday. We’ll look back and say, ‘Remember when you were just assistant manager of Sweet Treats?’” He took a picture of me mid-sip, looking utterly unprepared and confused. “TJ!” I squealed as I lunged for his phone.

He said. “I’ll make some coffee,” she said. A sincere smile appeared on his face, a natural motion that melted the harsh corners of his mouth. It was a genuine smile that resulted from genuine enjoyment of her company rather than his typical restrained half-smirk. He smiled as he said “Thank you for the offer. I need to do some preparation. A little professional restart.” Her laughter was clear and melodic. “Alright Fred. Do a professional reset now. I'll be in the kitchen.”

Then three times in quick succession. His expression changed. Only slightly. Most people wouldn't have noticed. I did. Jason looked down at the screen. And went completely still. The change lasted less than a second. Then he smiled. A perfectly polite smile. A dignified smile. A professional smile. A fake smile. My stomach tightened. I knew Jason. He wasn't the kind of person who panicked. He wasn't dramatic. He wasn't impulsive. Which meant whatever was on that screen mattered. A lot.

I stood in the middle of the living room, facing the security camera's blinking red light, practicing my smile again and again. Looking into the lens, I spoke softly, like I was leaving a message for the Mom who'd watch it someday. "Mom, look. I practiced the perfect smile again today. "Lift the corners of my mouth fifteen degrees and show eight teeth. The books say that's the most sincere smile. The one that makes people feel warm. "I've practiced so much my face hurts... but that's okay. "When you watch this tomorrow... will you tell me I did a good job? "Will you finally believe I wasn't lying to you?"

"That should have had my complete attention. You just crossed my mind randomly…I was probably just hungry." “Hmm, probably,” he said. He was smiling into his glass like he had decided not to say what he was thinking but was enjoying the restraint tremendously. “Why are you smiling?” I asked. "I smile constantly. It's my default expression." "Not like that, it isn't." I pointed my fork at him. "You're unbearably smug about this." "I'm a man whose wife just admitted she couldn't get him out of her head during an important board meeting," he said. "I think a small amount of smugness is completely reasonable."

"When did I smile?" And as expected, Harold never missed out the opportunity to tease me. "You just smiled like this." He insinuated while at the same time trying to copy my smiling face, and it was ugly you would ask me. So I could not help but feel bashful when I realized how awful it might have looked. "Was it weird?"

Vick announced as she pointed to HJ. He smiled at her antics because no one could hate the bubbly side of Vick if they tried. It exhausted and excited you all at the same time. HJ’s smile for once was genuine, like he actually enjoyed the company of the people around him. He and I had somehow formed friendships with the same damn people over the years, and it crippled me to see him looking so damn refreshed and carefree around the people I loved most.

So I’m left with a deafening ring in my ears. “Huh?” I ask when he smiles at me. Why is he smiling at me? Did I miss something he said? This is so frustrating. I hate zoning out when people are trying to talk to me. It makes me look like I’m not interested in what the other person is saying. “I mean the lemonade; it’s always so good right?” H e says smiling at me again. I smile nodding. “It’s too good. I’m pretty sure they put something in it.” I say and he laughs softly.