Five years were radiant, yet somehow precarious.

When the initial flutter of excitement gradually turned into familiarity, and we began to take each other for granted, our emotions eventually festered and burst.

When did our trivial arguments turn into a war that only ended when we destroyed one another? The day you stormed out that door, you vanished from my world.

Or rather, I thought you had.

A year and a half wasn't that long a time.

Seven months into slowly getting my life back on track after finally landing a job I'd deferred due to the heartbreak of our breakup.

Just as I was shedding my 'rookie' label and settling the new recruits into their places, you forced your way into my familiar routine.

You said you'd keep things professional, so I thought at least there wouldn't be any interference.

But you...

You go out of your way to linger around me, You go out of your way to leave canned coffee on my desk, You go out of your way to follow me around asking pointless questions.

So, I decided to treat you like a stranger. To keep the promise to myself—not to you—that I will never be shaken again.

Despite that, I suppose you'll continue

To hover at the very edge of my daily life.