“I seem to have misplaced my bank,” I said, voice clear and calm and barely shaking. Lucas would have been proud to hear me talking to people that way. He’d known me since the idea of public speaking would have been enough to send me crying into the nearest bathroom. “It’s really too bad, because I love that bank. I’m going to sign in and then go deliver my vacation request to my supervisor. I hope my bank is back when I start taking calls. I’m pretty sure if I have to tell management someone took it, we’re all going to get another six-month ban on personal items at our desks, and that would be a real shame.”

No one said anything, but a few sets of shoulders tightened, and a few heads turned in my direction, like their owners were trying to gauge my seriousness with a sidelong glance. I didn’t say anything else, only turned on my heel and walked away.

I was halfway to my supervisor’s desk when I realized I’d forgotten my paperwork. Dammit. I clenched my teeth and kept walking. Much as I wanted my bank back, I didn’t want to catch the thief or thieves in the act of returning it. It wouldn’t do me any good to know, and I’ve never been good at pretending to be okay with someone when I’m not. If I knew who kept messing with my things—instead of just suspecting—I wouldn’t be able to treat them the same way. That could be a problem. A “we involve HR, because you’re not acting like a team player”–level problem. I hate dealing with HR. They always look at me like I don’t know how to person right, and they’re going to have to grade my performance.

I don’t know how to human correctly. But I’m pretty good at being a person. I have thoughts and feelings and opinions, and that’s enough to qualify. Right?

Scott looked up when I approached his desk, a frown already on his face. “Ana?” he said. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” I said, too quickly. I’m Ana at work and Stasia at home, and Anastasia on the rare occasions when my mother calls to ask for money. Compartmentalization is good according to my therapist, who says having a name for every major role I play lets me keep things straight in my head. I say that eventually I’m going to run out of names, and what’s going to happen then?

“Uh-huh.” His frown faded, replaced by a look of understanding sympathy. “You know if you’re having trouble, you can tell me. I’d be happy to have a talk with the rest of your team.”