Hate is a strong word

Chapter 14

I walked into the lobby, hoping not to run into anyone on my way to the elevator. To be honest, I am mad at half the people in this building, so any contact with anyone will probably result in a fist fight. It has not been a good week. 

I pushed the button for the doors to close, sighing in relief. Just before the doors closed, however, two massive hands stopped them and opened the door. 

Those two hands just had to belong to the one and only Shawn Mendes.

He nodded my way, pushed a button, and the doors closed. We rode in silence for a few seconds.

"I saw you at my favorite coffee shop yesterday." 

Is he trying to make conversation? If so, it's a lame attempt.

"Yep. I saw you too. With a girl."

He exhaled.

"That's just a girl. I have feelings for someone else."

My heart skipped a beat, but I recoiled at what he said.

"What do you mean, she is 'just a girl'?"

"Why do you care?"

"I don't, but I want to know why you think of her as just a girl."

Our voices started to get louder.

"She's none of your business!"

"No, she isn't, but I asked a question. No need to get all defensive about your girlfriend!"

"She is not my girlfriend."

"Well then, what is she?"

"She's nothing!"

By this point, we are full on screaming. The doors open up to my office and we get out.

"She has to be something!"

"She's one of my ex's from high school. She tracks me down and tries to get back together with me, but I don't like her. Happy?" 

He is breathing very heavily now, and it's extremely attractive. 

Shut up, Rebecca! You're mad at him.

"That wasn't so hard, was it?" I say, somewhat satisfied with his answer. 

So she was an ex. That makes me feel a little better, especially since he doesn't like her like that.

You'll think about that later, Rebecca. Right now, you have work to do.

I turned and made my way to my desk when he called out to me.

"You know what? I hate you." 

I stopped dead in my tracks. I always knew that I disliked him, but something about hearing him say it out loud killed a piece of me inside. Like the part of me that liked him just started to crumble away. 

I started to tear up but quickly wiped my eyes. I couldn't let him see that what he said hurt me.

"You know what? The feelings mutual, Mendes. Have a nice day."

And with that, we both went our separate ways.