Drawn To You (GirlxGirl)

Part 16

Jessie's P.O.V

The sun was just starting to dip below the horizon as I gathered with the group around the campfire. The golden light bathed everyone in a warm glow, the flames crackling softly as they fought against the oncoming night.

I could feel the tension in my shoulders, a weight I hadn't managed to shake off since I arrived. Every time I caught a glimpse of Allie, my heart gave an uncomfortable lurch, like I was doing something wrong just by being here.

For the past few hours, I'd been trying to convince myself that I wasn't actively avoiding her, but I wasn't sure if that was true. Every time I saw her out of the corner of my eye, it was like she was looking anywhere but at me, and I was doing the exact same thing. It was like we were caught in some weird dance, both of us trying to act normal and not knowing why that seemed impossible.

"This was a mistake," I muttered under my breath, tugging at the label of my beer bottle. I hadn't even taken a sip yet.

Liam, who was sitting beside me and nursing his own drink, leaned in closer. "What was?"

"This," I said, gesturing vaguely at the fire, the tents, and everything around us. "Coming here. I don't know what I was thinking."

Liam gave me a sympathetic smile. "You're overthinking it, Jess. It's just a camping trip with some friends. Relax. Have a drink, enjoy the fire."

"I've been trying to relax," I replied, lowering my voice, "but I think Allie is angry that I'm here, this is supposed to be her down time and I'm a reminder of work and money and uni".

My eyes flicked over to where Allie sat, her face softened by the last rays of the sun. She was across the circle from me, sitting quietly as Mark chatted animatedly with some of the other guys.

Liam followed my gaze, then looked back at me with a smirk. "You're letting this get to your head. Besides," he added, nudging me with his elbow, "you've got that painting to finish. If you avoid her on this trip then it's going to be even more awkward the next time she's in the studio".

I grunted in response, knowing he was right.

Mark was getting louder with each chug of beer he drank and I could hear him telling his friends the story of how him and Allie met.

"The next day she came back to the garage and I asked for her number.. I couldn't let something this sexy get away" he finished, placing an arm around Allie's shoulder and she forced a small smile.

I felt a slight sting in the pit of my stomach hearing the story of how they got together. I told myself that my jealousy was because I didn't have the perfect love story yet, and pushed down anything else that it could be.

I'd had girlfriends in the past but if I'm honest with myself, I'd never found someone who I saw as my future. I gave up trying a few years ago and instead ventured into a life of meaningless dates and one night stands just to feel close to someone for one night.

I took a long drink from my beer, the bitterness helping to distract me, even if only for a moment, and watched as Mark vacated his chair and joined a group of guys by the fire.

As the drinks flowed and people got drunker, the group began to loosen up more. Someone turned up the music, and people started getting up to dance, drifting away from their partners to mingle with others.

The energy around the fire became more chaotic, a swirl of laughter and movement. But Allie stayed seated, clutching her drink like it was her lifeline, staring into the fire.

Liam leaned over to me again, his voice low. "You should go over and talk to her. Break the ice."

I hesitated, my stomach tightening. "I don't know if that's a good idea..."

"She's sitting there by herself," Liam pointed out. "Go on, Jessie. It'll be fine."

I looked at him, and then at Allie, who seemed lost in her thoughts. Maybe he was right. Maybe it was time to stop avoiding her and just get this over with.

Taking a deep breath, I got up and made my way around the fire, my footsteps feeling heavier with each step. I could feel my heart pounding in my chest as I approached her.

When I reached the chair Mark had been in earlier, I hesitated for just a moment before sitting down. Allie looked up, startled, her expression quickly turning to a bit nervous.

"Hey," I said awkwardly, trying to find my voice. "Mind if I sit here?"

There was a slight pause before she shook her head. "No, go ahead" she said, her eye line moving back towards the fire.

We both fell silent, the weight of the moment pressing down on us. The sounds of the party around us seemed distant, like we were in our own little bubble of awkwardness.

"I, uh, didn't know you were going to be here," I finally said, breaking the silence. "If I had known..."

Allie cut me off, shaking her head again. "It's not your fault. This was supposed to be a trip for just me and Mark, but he decided to invite everyone. I didn't exactly get a say in it."

I felt a hint of sadness for her. She had hoped of a romantic weekend away with her husband and he managed to screw it up.

"Men" I sighed, which gained a small laugh from Allie.