Just my cup of tea

Hold the spliff!

Alice POV

'Did she break your heart?'...

'Did you break her heart?'...

'Does she know you still love her?'...

Hayleigh's questions played on repeat in my head as I made my way back home with Hayleigh behind me. She refused to let me be and usually I would hate that but right now it was ok. Then I thought back again and although it were not under the best circumstances it was good to see her. The ridiculous thoughts were gone and I actually hoped that maybe her going back to our spot would allow for her to think of me. That made me smile.

We pulled up to my apartment building and made our way up. I wanted to laugh as I watched Hayleigh being a little careful around me.

"I'm fine you know. It was a moment thing." I swear I heard her let out breath. "Are you sure? Because you had a lot of emotions going on just now and the best thing to do is let it out." I smiled at her. "I've let it out already. It's ok. I'm ok but thank you Hayleigh. I was just a little surprised and I was heated up for no real reason." She pulled me in for a hug, "ok, got to be sure about these things. anyway look what I got." She pulled out a huge bottle of wine. "When did you...you know what never mind. I'll get the glasses," I said as we stepped into my apartment.

Hayleigh got to opening the wine and I put on some music videos. "Ooh Usher! He's so sexy!" I rolled my eyes, "Oh God no Hayleigh not you too. The guy is ancient now." She lightly punched my arm, "You take that back! he is smooth." We made our way over to the couches and got comfortable. "So, now that you know the basics of my life love. What's your deal?" She took a bigger sip of her wine this time. "hmmm well not much to say really...I dated a few guys here and there and that was about it hey. Never really found something special." I thought about this and observed her; she seemed so at peace with herself and I admired her for that. "So", She began, "have you thought about work situations?" She reached for the pc to change the song. "Well something has come up, a position in China." Her eyes grew big and she jumped up. "This is amazing! But sad. But amazing! And? Did you take it?"

I reached for the pc, "Let's do it now." She was taken a back, "why didn't you reply already? What on earth were you waiting for?" I opened up my email, "apparently nothing at all."

"There! All done, I've replied and accepted. I'm moving to China...I'M MOVING TO FREAKIN CHINA!" I did a five second dance party with Hayeligh and then we toasted. This is it, my reply was in and now there is no turning back.

Days passed by as fast as the flash of a camera. Everything seemed to move twice as fast now. Before I knew it, my papers for going overseas was in the midst of being processed. Talks of flight dates and accommodation became the regular conversation topic among Hayleigh and I. Throughout this time Hayleigh seemed to just push for it even more. I knew she was being supportive and I could tell her attitude towards me leaving had changed after that day at the beach. I don't know how but she saw how much I needed to get away from it all. I needed to find myself again, to grow into whatever I was meant to be. With each passing day the tug at my heart grew lighter but it never completely faded as I thought it would.

I rolled over on my bed and stared out the window, in the distance I saw the main bridge with cars zooming passed. I let my mind wonder around the thought of those people going about their day. Have they ever been faced with such a situation? Have they ever run away from something like this before? Run away? I guess essentially that is what I was doing. Running away from it all. Well it was time to go take some ID photos so off to the studio I would go.

I styled my hair in the mirror and poked around my face a little bit before accepting that this is as good as it will get and gathered my things. As I got in the car Hayleigh pulled up and rolled down her window. "Heey! Where you off to?" I leaned down and rested my hands on the car while poking my head in, "I got to print out ID photos, what do you have in mind?" She shrugged, "well I've got nothing on my plate, get in, I'll take you."

We rode in silence for a bit which felt kind of strange. "Something on your mind Hales?" She pouted for a bit and nodded absentmindedly, "Well I know you have not been in the best of moods but, I got invited to a get together this evening and my ex will be there and I really don't want to go alone so..." She looked over with the best puppy eyes she could muster up. "You really have the worst puppy eyes ever you know." I rolled my eyes and chuckled at her sad attempt. "Also...since you have never met this ex...I was wondering if maybe..." She peaked over at me and squinted her eyes a bit. "Oh hell no! You want me to pretend to be your girlfriend don't you?" "Aaaaand because you're such a good friend, you will do it riiiiiggghhht?" I sighed back into my seat. "Well what the hell, I got nothing to lose by this but you do know this is not healthy right?" She wasn't affected nor did she even hear my comment, "You are thee absolute best!"

After standing in line for about half an hour, we finally finished at the studio and printed out the ID photos. Hayleigh drove us to my place so I could change into what she called "a hot lesbian look" which I know, was in bad taste. I ruffled together an outfit without much thought but fortunately it was enough to satisfy Hayleigh. The get together was at her cousin's house which took us about 20 minutes to get to while Hayleigh provided me with useful tips of how to look like I'm madly in love with her. She even gave us a back story of how we met and how I asked her to be girlfriend. We walked up to the door hand in hand and she rang the bell. "Finally you've arrived!" Shouted her cousin excitedly as she opened the door. We moved into the hallway and she took our coats as Hayleigh began the introductions. "This is Alice, my girlfriend and Alice this is Lena, my cousin." Lena shook my hand looking very amused and suspicious. "I don't know if I believe you cuz, this one looks too good to be true!" Although she meant it as a joke it seemed more like she really did know we were lying. "don't be a turd! You're embarrassing me!" Hayleigh said as she smacked her cousin playfully. "Just teasing a little, don't mind me. Let's move into the living room and get you guys some drinks and I'll introduce you guys to everyone."

We walked along the hallway and passed a few embarrassing photos of a baby Hayleigh on the way so I stopped to take some photos for future blackmail reasons. "Give me a second, you guys go ahead I got to get some snaps!" "oh hell no!" We play fought for a bit and Lena went ahead. "Everyone this is my cousin Hayleigh and her girlfriend Alice." Still recovering from our play fighting we both stepped into the living room. Within an instant I froze dead, I felt my face drop to the floor and my head became light headed. There on the sofa sat Kate. She looked from me to Hayleigh to him and back to me. We all took turns just looking from one to another not sure of how to proceed. There was no hiding the tension that built up in an instant. Everyone could feel it. "What's happening?" Hayleigh whispered to me from the corner of her mouth. I managed to turn to her and whispered back, "I think I have to go."

*Authors note:

Hello everyone. I know it's literally been years but I just could not find the inspiration to write again until now. I hope I can keep it up and I hope you will enjoy!