Page 68 of Five Years

“Huh, okay.”

She reached for the remote and turned the TV to her favourite YouTube jazz music. She adjusted the blinds for privacy from the bustling office, but views of the city provided her favourite workspace.

“Why didn’t you tell me? It would’ve been nice to get a heads up.”

“I figured you might avoid the office, and then we wouldn’t have bumped into each other.”

“So, this was planned?”

“Not so much planned, but I was hopeful of an impromptu encounter.”

“Why?”

Ariana stood nearby, watching her intently. “Why did I want to see you?”

“Yes.”

“You left in a hurry the other week; I haven’t heard from you since. I tried calling, but you ignored my call. I guess I want to understand why.”

“It doesn’t concern you, Ariana. We spent a week in the same space; now we move on, right? You don’t need to try and turn whatever this is into some complicated friendship where we meet for coffee once a year to keep up appearances.”

“I wasn’t—”

Ariana took a step closer.

Leah refused to look up. She arranged her pens beside her laptop once, and then again, until they lined up with perfect accuracy.

“I’m really busy, Ari. Could we do this another time?”

Ariana sighed, but she didn’t leave. She just leaned against the oblong 12-person table like she belonged there.

“Just . . .look at me.” She sighed.

Leah hesitated. Ariana scooted a few inches closer. She was within arm’s reach of a now seated Leah.

“Please.”

Leah slowly lifted her gaze.

“What do you want from me?” Leah whispered.

“I want us to be okay,” Ariana responded softly.

“We’re fine.”

“Are we? Because it doesn’t feel fine to me.”

Leah straightened up; she could feel her body going into defence mode. “If we just keep things cordial, we won’t have to deal with...whatever this is.”

“Are you saying we can’t be friends?” Ariana asked.

Leah avoided Ariana’s gaze again, fidgeting with the edge of her notebook.

“I’m scared, okay?” Leah admitted. She instantly regretted saying the words.

“What are you scared of?” Ariana probed gently.

“I’m scared of what happens if we talk about...us.”