The air in the cafeteria buzzed with the chatter of students, the aroma of greasy burgers and fries filling my nostrils. I sat at a table near the window, my heart still pounding from the encounter with Kyle. I'd spent the entire morning dodging him, sneaking through hallways and taking back routes just to avoid any chance of running into him. My stomach churned with a mixture of anxiety and frustration.
"Hey, man! How's college treating you?" Liam's booming voice startled me. He plopped down across from me, a wide grin plastered on his face.
"It's...interesting," I mumbled, pushing a lukewarm burger around my plate.
Liam, ever the jovial friend, sensed my unease. "What's up? You look like you've seen a ghost."
I hesitated, unsure how to explain the encounter. "It was nothing, just a little bump."
"A little bump?" Liam raised an eyebrow, his grin fading. "You look like you've been through a war, Chase. Spill it."
I sighed, knowing I couldn't keep it bottled up forever. I recounted the incident with Kyle, the way he'd glared at me, the anger in his eyes. I tried to downplay it, but Liam, being the observant friend he was, saw right through my facade.
"Whoa, dude, that's serious," he said, his voice softening. "Don't worry, maybe he's just having a bad day."
He tried to lighten the mood, but I couldn't shake the feeling of unease. "I've been trying to avoid him all day," I confessed, explaining my stealthy movements around the campus.
Liam chuckled, his usual cheerfulness returning. "You're acting like he's some kind of monster, Chase. Relax, it's just a guy."
"But he was so angry," I protested, my voice trembling slightly.
Liam placed a hand on my shoulder, his eyes filled with concern. "Look, you did nothing wrong. Just try to stay calm and don't let him get to you. You're not alone, Chase. I'm here for you."
His words offered a glimmer of comfort, but I couldn't help but feel a knot of anxiety tightening in my stomach. I knew this wasn't over.
As we finished our lunch, Liam suggested we go for a walk to clear our heads. I agreed, hoping the fresh air would help calm my nerves. As we stepped out of the cafeteria, I braced myself for the possibility of another encounter.
But this time, instead of a dark cloud of anger, a friendly face greeted us. It was Sarah, a girl from my high school, someone who knew both me and Kyle. She was smiling, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Hey guys! Long time no see!"
I felt a wave of relief wash over me. Maybe this was a sign that things were going to be okay.
To be continued...