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.

Satori glares at you through her red-rimmed eyes, her anger flaring up as she takes a step closer to you. "Don't give me that bullshit, Navarro. I know who the fuck you are," she spits out venomously. Her chest heaves with each breath and it's clear that she's struggling to maintain control. "We both know what I did to you in school, and now we're working together? You must have something big planned."

"Ha! Changed? Like hell I've changed," she retorts harshly, her fake sweetness falling away. "But fine, Navarro. We can try to get along. For now." Satori eyes you warily, still clearly uncertain about trusting you, even though she seems to be trying to maintain some semblance of civility. "Just don't cross me or I swear to god I will make your life a living hell again," she growls through clenched teeth before spinning on her heel and storming back out of the break room.

Her words ring in your ears as you sip your coffee, wondering if she really has changed at all underneath that tough exterior.

Satori glances at you over her shoulder before shrugging and saying, "Yeah, okay." There's a trace of grudging respect in her voice that you hadn't expected. "But don't think this means we're friends or anything," she snaps quickly, not wanting to give any false impressions about her feelings.

With a huff, she turns back around and takes another sip of coffee before continuing with her work, albeit with one eye on you. It's clear that their relationship is far from ideal, but it seems like they can at least pretend to get along for now...or so you hope.

As Satori continues with her work, she notices you sitting on your desk and can't help but feel a sense of annoyance and possessiveness well up within her. You used to be beneath her back then, but now you're sitting there like some sort of rival or equal. It doesn't sit well with her at all.

She glances over at your computer screen, watching as you work diligently on it, and a part of her can't help but admire your dedication. Maybe...she thinks, just maybe she could use this to her advantage somehow. But how? A plan begins to formulate in the back of her mind, dark and devious as always.

She watches you from the corner of her eye as she types furiously on her keyboard, occasionally glancing back at you again with a mix of hatred and curiosity. You were always such a goody two shoes...and yet now here you are, all grown up and apparently more successful than she ever thought possible. It eats away at her every time she looks your way, making her feel...envious? Inadequate? Something along those lines anyway.

She takes a quick break from her work, using the excuse of stretching her legs to get closer to you and your computer. As casually as possible, she glances over at what you're working on, trying not to look too interested or suspicious. It's hard though...it's like an itch she can't scratch. Eventually she manages to tear her gaze away from your screen, but only barely.

Her mind races as she wonders how far she can push you before you snap and reveal her true intentions. Part of her is curious about what would happen if she did...but another part of her is afraid of losing everything all over again. It's a delicate balance, this game they're playing now.

Satori glances up at you with narrowed eyes, her expression unreadable as she ponders your offer. "No, I'm good," she mutters curtly before turning back to her work, dismissing you almost instinctively. The truth is that she doesn't trust anyone enough to let them help her with something this important...and she doubts that you really mean it anyway. Better to just keep her distance and wait for the right opportunity to strike.

As the hours tick by, Satori can't shake the feeling that you're watching her...like some sort of predator stalking its prey. It only serves to make her more agitated and paranoid, but she refuses to let it show on the outside. Instead, she puts on a fake smile and tries to act like everything is normal...because deep down, she knows that if anyone finds out what's really going on in her head, there won't be any turning back.

Satori glances up at you again as you mention leaving early, her expression unreadable. Part of her is surprised that you're willing to walk away so easily...or maybe even glad for the reprieve. She wonders if this might be her chance to strike. "Oh really? Having fun problems at home?" she asks sarcastically, a small smile tugging at the corner of her mouth.

The words leave a bitter taste in her mouth as soon as they're out, and for a moment she regrets saying them. But it's too late now; once you realize what she's insinuating, there will be no taking it back without consequences. She waits, heart pounding in anticipation of your response...and she swears that if you give her an opening, she won't hesitate to take advantage of it.

The air around you feels suddenly heavy as your words hang between you like a guillotine blade about to drop. Satori's expression darkens even further, her face turning red with anger and embarrassment at being called out on her own actions so publicly. Her first instinct is to lash out, to defend herself against these accusations that feel so sharp and painful. But then something else takes hold of her; perhaps it's fear or maybe even regret. Whatever it is, it makes her pause for a moment before responding with carefully chosen words.

"You have no idea what I've been through," she hisses venomously through clenched teeth, "just because I acted like a bitch doesn't mean I didn't have my reasons." She takes another shaky breath and forces herself to calm down before continuing, her voice quieter now but no less sharp. "And maybe if you weren't such a goddamn doormat all those years ago...things would've been different." Her eyes blaze with fury as she glares at you over the top of your computer screen, daring you to argue back.

"I don't hate you," she snaps defensively, her cheeks flushing with anger. "It's just...you were always so perfect. So innocent. And I wasn't." Satori looks away for a moment, her shoulders slumping as if under the weight of some unbearable memory. "I hated myself more than anything else," she admits in a voice barely above a whisper. "And taking it out on you...it made me feel better, for like five seconds at least." Her gaze flickers back to yours, pleading with you to understand, even though she knows deep down that it's pointless. "But things are different now," she continues, her voice stronger again despite the words feeling as hollow as ever. "I just want us both to be able to move on from this."

The words cut deep, and for a moment Satori is taken aback by their impact. There's truth in what you're saying...she knows that she could have done better. She could have chosen to change her ways instead of perpetuating the cycle of pain and suffering they were both trapped in. But it was hard, and she was weak.

With a shake of her head, Satori stands up from her desk and walks around to yours, leaning over your shoulder so that you can't ignore her any longer. "I know I fucked up," she says bitterly, her voice raw with emotion. "But can't we just try to start over? Leave the past in the past where it belongs?" Her eyes beg for understanding, plead for forgiveness...even if she doesn't truly deserve it.

Surprised by your acquiescence, Satori tentatively reaches out and wraps her arms around you in a tight hug. Her breath tickles the hairs at the nape of your neck as she whispers, "Thank you." There's relief in her voice, like a weight has been lifted off her shoulders, and for a moment it seems like things might actually be able to improve between them. But only time will tell if this fragile truce can hold against the inevitable tests that lie ahead.

With the awkwardness diffused somewhat by your hug, Satori finds herself momentarily calmer and more collected. She squeezes her eyes shut for a moment, taking in the scent of your shampoo and the feel of your soft hair against her cheek. "I promise," she whispers, her voice barely audible over the din of the office, "I'll try to be better."

She pulls away from the hug, cupping your cheek with her hand and forcing you to meet her gaze. Her eyes are soft now, devoid of their usual malice and anger. "I know I've made a lot of mistakes," she continues, "and some of them will always haunt me...but I want us to move past this, okay? Together."

There's hope in her expression now; an almost childlike desire for redemption that tugs at your heartstrings despite yourself. You can see the genuine emotion behind her words, and it makes you wonder if maybe...just maybe she really is sincere this time. The ball is in your court now: will you accept her apology and try to help her move on from her past mistakes, or will you hold onto your anger and let history repeat itself?

Satori's expression brightens when she feels your lips against her cheek, a small smile tugging at the corners of her mouth as you call her "cupcake." "Alright then, tomorrow," she agrees with a nod. Her hand lingers on your cheek for a moment longer before eventually dropping away, leaving a faint red mark where it touched. As you turn to leave, Satori watches you go, feeling an odd mixture of relief and unease in her stomach. Only time will tell if this newfound understanding between them will last, but for now, she can only hope that things really are different this time around...and try not to screw it up.

As you sit down at your desk, Satori hesitates for a moment before making her way over to you. "Um, hi there," she says awkwardly, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear. There's a slight flush on her cheeks as she meets your gaze, uncertainty clouding her expression. She clears her throat and continues, more confidently this time, "So, do you want to get some coffee or something later?" Her tone is casual, but there's a hint of longing in it nonetheless.

A genuine smile lights up her face as she hears you call her "brownie." It's a small nickname they had when they were younger and the sound of it on your lips sends a warmth spreading through her chest. She nods in agreement, feeling more at ease now that things seem to be going back to normal...or at least as close to normal as they can be considering their history. "Alright then," she says brightly, already mentally planning out the day ahead. "I'll meet you by the coffee machine at 10, sound good?" Without waiting for a response, Satori spins on her heel and marches back over to her desk with renewed vigor. There's a spring in her step that hasn't been there in years; it feels good to be hopeful again.

As she sinks into her chair and begins work on the spreadsheet in front of her, she can't help but wonder what the future holds for them...and whether or not this newfound understanding will be strong enough to withstand any further tests that may come their way. Only time will tell.

Satori looks up from her work as you offer her your hand, the mischievous glint in your eyes making her heart race with excitement and uncertainty. Her lips part in a playful smirk as she takes your hand, allowing herself to be pulled to her feet. "Fine, cupcake," she teases, "if you insist." She glances around briefly before leaning in conspiratorially, adding in a whisper, "But don't tell anyone we're becoming such good friends, alright?"

There's an electricity in the air between you as you walk together toward the coffee machine. The familiar scent of brewing java fills your nose and reminds you both of simpler times...of when they were just two kids making their way through the crazy world together. It's a bittersweet memory, but one that brings with it a sense of hope and possibility. As Satori waits for her cup to fill, she can't help but wonder if things really are different this time...or if history is simply doomed to repeat itself again and again, no matter how hard they try to break free. Only the future will tell.

I'm surprised you remember that! Most people just called me Sati... but I kinda liked it when you called me brownie back then. It was like we were this little team or something. Do you still feel like part of the team?

I roll my eyes but can't help but smile a little. "Well, don't you ever go away for too long again, cupcake," I tease, taking my coffee with a light shove to your arm. "We were quite the pair back then." There's a twinge of sadness in my voice as I say it, but I try not to let it show. The present feels more promising now that we're together again, even if things haven't been exactly smooth sailing so far. Maybe this time around will be different... maybe we can both get what we want and still find a way back to each other. Only time will tell.

I think I still remember the way... I haven't been back there in years, but I have fond memories of our old place. "Okay," I agree, feeling a flutter of nervousness in my stomach at the thought of spending more time with you. "You know me too well." The words come out before I can properly think them through, but somehow they feel right. Maybe going back to where it all began will help us find our way back to each other... or maybe it'll just remind us how much we've changed since then. Either way, I'm willing to give it a shot.

Well, with promises like that I can't refuse! And who knows? Maybe some booze will help us be a little more candid about our past and our feelings. Though I'm not sure if that's necessarily a good thing... But hey, what do we have to lose? Let's just see where the night takes us, huh? After all, anything could happen now that we're back together again.