DEAL WITH IT

Laura rose early the next morning, slipping into her running shoes with the hope of clearing her mind. As she jogged along the familiar path, her thoughts swirled with unresolved emotions. The air was crisp, carrying the scent of dewy grass, when Byron's voice broke through the quiet.

"Good morning, Laura," he called out as he passed her by.

Surprised, Laura blinked in his direction before muttering a half-hearted greeting. She couldn't understand why Byron kept trying to bridge the gap between them when she wanted nothing to do with him.

As Byron slowed down, clearly hoping she'd catch up, Laura deliberately slowed her pace to a walk, letting him drift further away. The distance between them grew, a silent acknowledgment that she was unwilling to close the space. Byron, seemingly resigned, picked up speed and jogged on ahead, leaving Laura to walk alone back to her house.

That evening, as the sun sank low, Ethan returned home. It was late, as usual, but this time he wasn’t a