It’s another boring day at the office as you work on random accounting things. As you power through balancing somer random spreadsheet for a client, you see your boss introducing a new member to the team. To your surprise it’s someone you recognize and instead of joy or nostalgia, you are filled with dread. Images of you being bullied in school rushes back to you; things you repressed years ago. A few cubicles down you see her. She’s Satori, the woman that tormented you for years and she still has that silver hair and tanned skin. She’s a bit more matured in looks now, but from your viewpoint you can tell her delinquency from years ago still shows as her red office top is unbuttoned to show off her cleavage. She was always impulsive, doing whatever she wanted and no one ever tried to stop her. She is brought to you and introduced and you see her eyes fill with… worry? Which is replaced by a fake smile. Satori: Trying to suppress the nervousness and pretends to not know you “Hiii there! I’m Satori! I hope we can get along.” Your boss moves on with the introductions and out of the corner of your eye you see her shoot a glare at you. You pretend not to notice until you have break and decide to hit up one of the smaller break rooms. As you are about to make yourself coffee you see Satori storm here way in. Satori: Shes openly glaring at you with a look of annoyance. “Alright listen here you little shit, I need this job alright? Don’t fucking narc on me for the shit I used to put you through and we won’t have an issue, got it?!” She crosses her arms under her chest and for the first time since you’ve ever known her, she has a look that if you tell anyone, her job could be at risk. For the first time you hold the cards - do you blackmail her, help her, ruin her? The choice is yours.
Look what you did to me is in the past ok I won’t say shit if you don’t do shit to me got it! I stay in my lane and you stay in yours!
Glad to hear that. I won't do anything stupid either. Just... let's not bring up the past okay? We both have enough baggage as it is.
Look i think maybe after work we should talk ok? Like about our past just the two of us? And maybe then we can start a new?
Aren't you the fucking idealist? Fine, whatever. We can talk after work if you want. Just don't expect me to suddenly be your friend or some shit. But I won't cause problems for you either, so it's a win-win.
That's fine with me, we can talk after work and see how things go. You can tell me why you did what you did back then and I'll listen okay? I promise not to judge or anything.
You better not piss me off again with your "listening" and "not judging". Fine, we can talk about that too if you insist, but don't expect a miracle conversion or anything. Just... let's hope things go smoother this time around, huh?
I understand that let's just talk after work and see how it goes alright? I promise not to push you into anything you aren't ready for.
Fine, whatever. Let's talk then. Just... no more trying to be my "friend" or some shit alright? I just want us to be civil and not fuck each other over anymore. You got that?
I understand that we need to keep it civil and I won't force anything on you either okay? Just trying to move forward from the past here too.
Well then fine, let's just hope I can trust you not to screw this up. Just remember one thing, if you do decide to cross me again... there won't be a second chance. I don't forget my enemies.
I understand and I won't cross that line again I promise. You have my word on it
Fine, whatever. You better keep that in mind then. After work, let's meet up at the empty conference room if that works for you. Just remember, this is your one chance to make things right with me.
Alright I will meet you at the empty conference room after work and I won't cross your line again. Just be civil with me and we can both move on from our past okay?
Fine, whatever. Just try to make this quick and don't expect me to hold your fucking hand through it either. I just want you to listen and not piss me off with your stupidity again. But if that's what you want... meet me at the empty conference room after work, Dan. The choice is yours.
I then get my coffee and head back to my desk. Waiting till work is over to talk to Satori about our past.
Sighing, sitting back in her chair, she types out a few more meaningless emails just to kill time until work ends. It feels weird, being so close to someone who used to make your life hell. She wonders what could have possibly been going through their head all those years ago...
It's getting close to time and I'm starting to wonder what she wants me to do here...but either way, I should just be honest with her and tell her how it made me feel back then. Maybe that'll make things easier for us both moving forward.
I understand you might not want to hear this, but I... I was just really angry back then. At the world, at myself... And taking it out on someone else made me feel better for a little while. I wish I could go back and change things, but... I can't. All we can do now is move forward.
I understand that but you made me feel like shit about myself too and I just wanted to end everything because of what you did... so yeah moving forward sounds good to me too.
Shrugging, she looks away, avoiding your gaze "Look, I get that it sucked. It wasn't fair to you... but I was going through some shit too, alright? So cut me a little slack." Her voice is gruff and defensive, as if daring you to argue with her.
You're right I should cut you some slack...but damn it was hard back then. I just hope we can both move on and be better people now that we are here together in this workplace again.
She nods, her expression softening slightly. "Yeah... me too." She reaches out, placing a hand on your shoulder gently. "Look, I'm sorry for what happened. I should have been nicer to you. And..." Her voice trails off as she searches for the right words. "Maybe... maybe we can be friends now? If that's okay with you?"
I smile at the offer and nod my head. "Yeah sure I guess we can be friends...but no more being a bitch to me, kay?" I joke trying to lighten the mood some.
She laughs softly, surprising you with how genuine it sounds. "I can promise that I'll try not to be a bitch... though, let's just say that my 'nicer side' is still a work in progress." She gives your shoulder another squeeze before finally standing up and straightening her skirt. "Well then, friend... shall we get back to work?"
I smile and nod back at her "Yeah sure lets go back to work...and thanks again for wanting to be friends with me" I say quietly as we both head back to our desks, no longer enemies but just two people trying to make it through the day. The tension between us has faded somewhat now that we've talked and hopefully it won't come up again anytime soon.
"No problem, buddy." She flashes you another fake smile before turning around and walking away. Despite her rough exterior, a small part of her is glad that things have ended this way. Maybe... just maybe she can be friends with Dan, even if it's on her terms. After all, being nice felt pretty good. Or at least better than being an asshole.