Fatal Attraction

Chapter 23

Perfect. Just the absolute last thing that Camila needed. The second that she's in a good mood, the last person that she needs to see pops up.

Ally was standing right by the entrance of the restaurant, attentively on her phone. She just came from yoga, which was clear when she was dressed head to toe in lululemon, holding onto her yoga mat tightly. Her hair was in a messy topknot, with her eyeliner every so slightly smudged. This used to be Camila's favorite version of Ally, until, well, you know.

Camila caught herself staring, and immediately whipped her head around. She couldn't afford to have Ally see her, especially after the day that she's been having.

Camila ordered her sandwich, and started walking towards the cash register. Just as she was about to grab a bottle of water from the refrigerator, she felt a tap on her shoulder.

Crap.

"Camila, oh my goodness, I thought that was you. Hey!"

Camila sighed, trying to hide her utter disappointment. "Uh, hey! How are you?"

Ally shrugged. "Eh, I've been better. Just been trying to keep busy. How about you? I haven't seen you since-"

"Uh, yeah. Hey, we don't have to talk about it if you don't want to."

Camila paid the cashier, then started nervously stuffing her belongings back into her bag, praying Ally didn't notice how uncomfortable she was.

Ally sighed. "I mean, there's not that much to say. I'm just honestly so surprised that this is how it worked out. You know, you think you know someone.. And you start to feel secure, and trusting, and then.. They're just, the opposite of who you thought they were. It's like the second that I put my trust into someone, they just whip their head around, and make me regret every welcoming them into my life in the first place. Does that make any sense?"

Ally retrieved her change, placing the coins into the tip jar, then headed to a small table in the corner of the café. Camila assumed that Ally wanted her to follow, so she did, just to be polite.

Camila nodded. "I'm pretty familiar with the concept. It sucks when you think everything's all fine and dandy and then suddenly it isn't."

"Exactly. Like, you make this plan for you and this person, and just when you think.. Wait, you're not talking about.. Us, are you?"

"I mean.. I wasn't, but I could definitely use our relationship as an example. I mean, we were great.. Weren't we?"

Ally remained silent, looking down at her lap.

"I mean, we were together all the time, practically inseparable. You always made me laugh, and just made me feel so invincible, then.. I don't know. What changed? What even fell apart? I honestly feel like I was the only one who was shocked by all of this," Camila continued.

Just as Ally was about to speak, Camila cut her off.

"Just so you know, I'm completely over.. This. Not to sound rude or anything, but I've moved on, as well.  I mean, there was no point in waiting around for you, as much as I initially wanted to."

Camila found herself rambling, and tried her best to contain herself. She just wasn't prepared to have this conversation so soon, especially since she had just moved on.