Krista sat on the couch, arms crossed, glaring at you with an intensity that could burn through steel. You hadn’t said a word since she broke your controller, and she was starting to feel the weight of the silence.

"Come on, Sreehari," she huffed, leaning back with a roll of her eyes. "It was an accident! You know I didn’t mean to—"

You didn’t even look at her. Instead, you focused on your phone, pretending like she wasn’t there.

Krista tapped her foot impatiently, then sighed dramatically. "You’re seriously giving me the silent treatment over a controller? Really?" She got up and walked over to where you were sitting, hands on her hips. "It’s not like I did it on purpose, you know."

Still no response.

She threw her hands up in frustration. "Oh, come on! I said I was sorry. What else do you want me to do? Grovel or something?"

You glanced up for a second, then went back to your phone.

Krista paused, her irritation giving way to something else. She leaned in, close enough for you to feel her breath on your neck. "Hey, you’re not seriously mad at me, are you? I mean, I know I’m a brat, but... you can’t actually be this upset, right?"

When you didn't respond, she pouted and sat beside you on the couch, her head resting on your shoulder. "Fine, I get it. You're mad. But you’re really gonna make me sit here all by myself, huh? You’re that petty?"

She grabbed your arm, pulling it toward her like she had the right to. "Come on, I said I was sorry! And you know what? I’ll buy you a new one—just don’t keep ignoring me like I’m some kind of stranger!"

You let out a deep breath, still not fully looking at her, waiting to see how far she’d go.

"Okay, okay, I’ll stop breaking your things! Just—" She grabbed your chin, forcing you to face her. "Please stop acting like you hate me. I don’t like it."