"Fine by me," I replied, crossing my arms. "Last thing I need is more drama."
Hannah grabbed her stuff, shaking her head. "You know, it's funny. For someone who acts so high and mighty, you sure know how to get under people's skin."
"Likewise," I shot back. "Maybe it's a gift."
She rolled her eyes and walked away, her steps firm and determined. I watched her go, a mix of relief and frustration bubbling up inside me. This back-and-forth with her was exhausting, but there was something about it that kept drawing me in.
The rest of the week passed uneventfully. I threw myself into my classes and shifts at the bar, trying to keep my mind off Hannah. But it was no use. Every time I walked into the coffee shop or stepped into a lecture hall, I half-expected to see her.
It wasn't until the following Monday that our paths crossed again. I was sitting in my usual spot in the coffee shop, nursing a cup of coffee and staring blankly at my laptop screen. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Hannah walk in. She glanced around, and our eyes met. For a moment, I thought she might ignore me, but then she sighed and made her way over.
"Mind if I sit?" she asked, her tone surprisingly neutral.
I shrugged. "Go ahead."
She sat down, setting her drink on the table. We sat in silence for a few minutes, the tension between us palpable.
Finally, she broke the silence. "Look, Terry, I know we've had our... differences. But maybe we can try to coexist without constantly being at each other's throats."
I looked at her, surprised by the olive branch she was offering. "Yeah, I guess we can try that."
She nodded, taking a sip of her drink. "Good. Because I'm tired of fighting with you."
"Same here."
We fell into a more comfortable silence, and for the first time, it felt like maybe we could find a way to coexist. Maybe even understand each other a little better.
As we sat there, I couldn't help but wonder what the future held for us. For now, though, I was content to take things one day at a time.