"Claire."
"Anton."
Just like that, everything else faded away.
For five solid seconds, neither of them moved or spoke. Claire stood frozen, her thoughts racing at a hundred miles per hour.
She had imagined so many scenarios of what she would say to Anton if she ever saw him again, but none of them included this strange feeling of shock, anger, and relief all turning inside her now.
Then, like a switch flipping, Claire shook her head hard, as though snapping herself out of a dream. The next thing Anton knew, she was storming towards him.
Without a word, she raised her hand and slapped him across the face.
Hard.
The sound echoed in the quiet night air, leaving a red imprint on his cheek.
Anton blinked, his head turning slightly from the impact, but he didn't flinch otherwise. Slowly, he straightened up and rubbed his jaw, a faint laugh escaping his lips. "Well, that's one way to say hello."
"Don't," Claire snapped sharply.
