12

I met the eyes of the other patrons, their expressions ranging from shock to mild amusement. Hoodie Girl had certainly caused a scene, and now everyone was watching to see how it would play out.I took a deep breath, forcing myself to stay calm. "You're entitled to your opinion," I said evenly, my voice steady despite the rage bubbling beneath the surface. "But you don't know me. You think you've got me all figured out, but you don't."She crossed her arms, glaring at me with unwavering intensity. "Oh, I think I know enough. Your actions speak louder than any words you could say."I shook my head, letting out a humorless laugh. "You know what? Fine. Believe what you want. But don't act like you're some kind of hero for calling me out. You're just as self-righteous as you accuse me of being."Her eyes widened slightly, a flicker of uncertainty crossing her face. But she quickly recovered, her resolve hardening once more. "At least I stand up for what's right.""Do you?" I challenged, stepping closer. "Or do you just like the sound of your own voice?"Her mouth opened, but no words came out. She seemed momentarily at a loss, and I took the opportunity to turn away, effectively ending the conversation.As I walked towards the door, the barista called after me, "Hey, Terry, wait!"I paused, glancing back. The barista looked apologetic, clearly caught in the middle of this mess. "Sorry about all this. Your coffee's on the house."I nodded in acknowledgment, taking my drink and leaving the shop without another word. The cool evening air hit me as I stepped outside, and I took a deep breath, trying to shake off the lingering frustration.As I walked across campus, I couldn't help but replay the confrontation in my head. Hoodie Girl—Hannah, I reminded myself—was clearly someone who didn't back down easily. Her words stung because they held a grain of truth, but she didn't know the whole story.Shaking my head, I decided to let it go. There was no point dwelling on it. People like her thrived on drama, and I wasn't about to give her the satisfaction of knowing she'd gotten under my skin.Still, as I headed back to my dorm, I couldn't shake the feeling that this wasn't the last time our paths would cross. And next time, I'd be ready.