Assignment 4 Conflict

Jill arrived at Luke’s dormitory hoping to surprise him. She called his room, and waited eagerly for him to answer. When she got his voicemail she left a message for him to call her. She left the dormitory, and headed for the student union building. She entered the cafeteria, and spotted Luke sitting at a table with a blond woman. She watched as they laughed and Luke pulled her close. As Jill moved closer she could hear what was being said.

“Oh Luke, I’ve missed you so much,” the blond giggled. She rested her hand on his thigh. “It was silly of us to break up.”

“I don’t know Susan,” Luke smiled. “I think it was good for both of us. After all we were each other’s firsts. How would we know if it was right if we didn’t see what else was out there?”

“So, now that you’ve seen what’s out there?” Susan scooted closer. “Shall we pick up where we left off?”

“Well, I…” Luke began. He paused when he saw Jill approach the table. “Jill, I thought you were in class.”

“I was,” Jill stated. “We were supposed to meet afterward for lunch.”

“Oh, right,” Luke turned to Susan. “Susan this is my study partner, Jill.”

Jill was taken aback by his introduction. She could not believe how he’d introduced her to a woman who was very plainly interested in a relationship with him. She gripped the chair in front of her to keep her emotions in check. “It’s nice to meet you.”

“Likewise,” Susan smiled. “Well, I actually have a class to get to. Luke, if you’re not too busy later, let’s get together and continue this conversation.”

Susan stood and walked away from the table. Jill remained standing, and wondering what to make of this encounter. Luke stood and moved to her. He reached for her, but she recoiled. She wasn’t particularly interested in letting him touch her at that moment. Her stomach contracted, but she wasn’t completely certain it was from hunger.
“I already ate,” Luke admitted, rubbing the back of his neck.

“I see,” Jill stated flatly. She released her death grip on the chair, and walked toward the food counter. She could feel Luke behind her, but she refused to look at him.

“Jill, hold up,” Luke reached out and gripped her arm. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” Jill grumbled. She pulled her arm free and changed her direction, heading for the door. She left the student union and headed for her dorm. She started when Luke’s arms snaked around her waist and pulled her back against him. “Let go!”

“Not until you agree to talk to me,” Luke argued. “What exactly do you think was happening in there?”

“You were getting back together with you ex-girlfriend,” Jill challenged. She turned to face him when his arms loosened. She pushed her hands against his shoulders when he tightened his embrace. “Let go!”

“No,” Luke leaned in to kiss her. He sighed when she turned her head away. “I never agreed to get back together with her.”

“But you were thinking about it,” Jill accused. “I was just a diversion right?”

“Wrong,” Luke snapped. “You can’t just assume to know what I’m thinking.”

“Oh, please,” Jill snapped back. She shoved his arms away, and stepped back. “You were practically pulling her into your lap.”

“I was not!” Luke stepped forward. “I was merely giving her a friendly hug.”

“You two were each other’s firsts?” Jill inquired. “First what exactly?”

“Everything,” Luke admitted. “We went to high school, and hooked up over the summer. She was supposed to be going to a college across the country, and then she decided to come here instead.”

“How convenient for you,” Jill muttered. She turned on her heel and took a few steps away from him. She could feel hot tears filling her eyes. She tried to blink them away, but one rolled down her face. No, she thought, I won’t cry in front of him. She’d never cried over a break-up in front of a her future ex before and she’d be damned if she was going to do it now.

“Jill, please, listen to me,” Luke tried to embrace her again, but she stepped away. “I don’t want Susan. I only ate with her out of respect for our previous relationship. I’m sorry if I upset you by not keeping our lunch date. It wasn’t really a date. It was more of a routine.’

“A routine?” Jill inquired. “So, we’re in a rut?”
“No, that’s not what I meant,” Luke protested. “I just meant, I didn’t think it was a big deal if I ate with someone else this one time. It was just lunch.”

“And you couldn’t have sent me a text or something to let me know?” Jill inquired. She turned to face him. “If I’d known you had other plans, I might have made plans of my own.”

“I’m sorry,” Luke sighed. “I didn’t realize I was being inconsiderate.”

“Well, now you know,” Jill spun on her heel to walk away.

“Wait,” Luke grabbed her arm. “You haven’t eaten yet.”

“I’ll eat in my room,” Jill snapped. She freed herself, and strode away toward her dormitory.