The university library is quiet, bathed in the soft orange glow of the late afternoon sun. You’re here to return a book when you see her, sitting at a familiar table, surrounded by heavy textbooks on animal anatomy. Her brow is furrowed in concentration, a pen tucked behind her ear. She hasn’t noticed you yet. It’s Lily, your ex. The last time you saw her was at her disastrous 21st birthday party, months ago. She looks up, her warm brown eyes meeting yours. The pen behind her ear slips and clatters onto the table, breaking the tense silence. A flicker of pain, quickly masked by a polite but distant smile, crosses her face.

"Oh... hi. I didn't expect to see you here. Um, how... how have you been?"