[ WP ] You 're a student worker for your college , running the front desk of the technology department . The next thing that comes through the main doors will change your life forever .

It was just an ordinary day. People always will do stupid things with their technology, so I was confident I would have this job as long as I needed it. But did I ever hate it. When I applied, I thought it would be mentally stimulating with some time for homework on the side. But being the front desk worker bored me. I had hours to fill, after homework was done. 
 
 Anyways, it was just an ordinary day. I helped people with their problems, wrote a paper about the power of words, and stared at the three tiny dots on the wall across from my desk. Were they pen marks? Anomalies in the paint? It's sad that l wasted so much time on those three dots, but what else was there to do? 
 
 I heard someone walking up to the door. Immediately, I was annoyed. Sure, it was my job, but I was staring at dots on a wall and they would be interrupting me. The door opened; someone walked in. Not all that unusual, but I could n't see who it was from my desk. I stood up. 
 
 Just a kid. No big deal. Boring as the rest of my day. He did n't need any help, though I asked politely. He was n't lost - his dad probably worked in the same building. It seemed he was just as bored as I was. However, I was not about to hang out with a faculty brat. 
 
 He just sat on one of the chairs nearby. I had no reason to ask him to leave, so I did n't. He sat there for the rest of my shift. He left when I did; I figured that would be the last time I saw him. Completely forgot about him, as a matter of fact. 
 
 He started showing up for my shifts pretty regularly. He would show up, sit down, and leave when I did. He did n't bother me in any way. One day, he asked what I was staring at. I explained, feeling a bit foolish. 
 
 He only asked me one question a day at first. What my papers were about, why that professor annoyed me, why I looked tired, why I did n't bring my energy drink that day. I answered him, but only because there was nothing better to do. The questions were superficial enough that I did n't really care. 
 
 One day, I asked him a question. He loved this stupid red shirt I wore maybe every couple of weeks. Such a weird thing to latch onto, but everything about this kid was weird. Eventually, I asked him more and more questions. 
 
 We started having conversations, still only about superficial things. But at least I was n't bored, staring at dots. Now I was annoyed by job related interruptions because I was having a conversation. Weeks went by, and I actually figured out quite a bit about this kid. He was a decent person, too. Of course, he was weird and I did n't really like him being there. 
 
 By midterms, he was helping me study for my tests. I would never have asked, but if he wants to, who am I to stop him? By thanksgiving break, I let him know I was one of the few people staying on campus. If he did n't have anything better to do, he could come to my room and hang out. He took me up on my offer a few times, but we did n't bond or anything. Me, a college junior, bonding with a kid? Ridiculous. 
 
 He helped me study for my finals, even though I insisted that I was fine on my own. Leaving for Christmas break was weird, almost as though I was abandoning him. I definitely pushed that thought away - I had sleep to catch up on, a holiday to celebrate, and a new nephew to meet. 
 
 We talked about what happened in our lives while I was gone. He asked to see pictures; I relented about letting him behind the desk. After that, he just moved his chair when he came in. I guess it's at that point that we started sharing more personal stuff. Just little things though, nothing huge or scary for a kid. 
 
 My job became less boring with him around, admittedly. I did n't feel brain dead after my shifts. By spring break, I considered him my little shadow. Always helpful, quiet when I had stuff to do, and overall a really good kid. One day, I began to probe a little about his life. Turns out, neither of his parents worked in the building. 
 
 Days with him were the new normal. I think I probably would have been concerned if he had n't showed up. I definitely was n't attached; I did n't even know his name. So when my boss walked in, it was just an ordinary day. 
 
 He noticed the kid, but only spoke to me. Over the summer, they were eliminating my job. Restructuring and making technology more accessible crap. He offered me a different position, more hands-on. I said I'd get back to him; he left. The kid was silent for a bit. Not unusual, but I felt a compulsion to explain that I would n't work here anymore. 
 
 He helped me study for finals again. On my second to last shift, I looked forward to seeing him. I wanted to know why he kept hanging out with me and what his name was. He did n't show. Whatever, I reminded myself, I was n't attached. 
 
 My last shift came around. He was back; it was an ordinary day again. I postponed my questions, knowing this was our last time to hang out. Besides, it seemed like he had more than enough questions for me. He wanted to know all about my years in high school. So I told him. Because I was held back in elementary, I was a bit older than my classmates. I had dated a few senior girls my freshman year, but that's the only advantage my age had given me. He seemed especially interested in my description of Julie, but any guy would be especially interested in her. Describing her reminded me of how good that 3 months were. I made a mental note to look her up on facebook, see what she was up to. 
 
 After exhausting his questions, I asked mine. He said that when he came that first day, I did n't really look like I wanted to be bothered. So he waited. And he was planning on waiting some more, but this was my last day. And he did n't think I would be bothered by him anymore. I agreed, thinking he had some dumb technology question he was too nervous to ask about. He certainly looked nervous, so I figured I would ask him a few more questions. He was 6 and his name was Eric. I encouraged him to say whatever was on his mind. 
 
 `` You know when we were talking about Julie? She's still really nice, I promise. She told me about you. And well, you sounded like a really cool person. So I wanted to meet you. And then I just kept coming back, because you are really cool.'' 
 
 `` You're pretty cool yourself, dude. But one last question. Where were you yesterday? My shift was weird without all your questions.'' 
 
 `` Well, my mom figured out that I was hanging out with you. She did n't like that so much, so she said I could n't come anymore. But after today I wo n't see you anymore.'' 
 
 I wanted to scold him for not obeying his mom, but I could hear footsteps outside the door, knowing it would open any second. I figured he'd probably hear it from his mom when he got home, anyways. To my great amusement at the coincidence, Julie from high school walked in. I had no idea she attended here, but I was happy to see her and help with any problem she had. 
 
 `` May I help you, ma'am?'' 
 
 `` Yes, I'm looking for my son. Apparently he's been hanging out around here quite a bit. He disappeared today and I'm guessing he came here. His name is Eric, have you seen him?''
