The One Who Got Away

Monster

Mark left and went back to the hotel.  Brenda walked upstairs and checked on Ava.  She knocked on her door and Ava said, "Come in."

Brenda walked in and saw Ava laying in her bed.  She asked, "You okay?"

Ava shrugged.  "I will be."

Brenda walked over and sat down next to her.  Ava asked, "Did he leave?"

"Yeah." Brenda answered.  "But he wants to talk to you."

She exhaled.  "I am not looking forward to that.  I am guessing Seth told him?"

"Yeah.  Seems like he is really heart broken, Ava."

"Brenda, please don't make me feel worse.  I already feel like shit for what I did to him."  Ava said feeling guilty.

"I just don't understand if you really like him, why don't you pursue him?  I mean, he clearly has feelings for you."  Brenda asked.

Ava shook her head.  "I would always be on edge and worried.  I can't live like that, not again.  I wouldn't be able to never fully trust him, and that is not his fault.  He doesn't deserve that, hell he doesn't deserve me."

Brenda sighed.  "Ava, I don't think he is anything like Will, you have to let that go.  I know it is hard to do that, but you do.  Will was an asshole.  Seth seems, legitly, like a nice guy.  You have a guy who is seems really great that wants more with you.  It doesn't hurt to see where it goes.  It may not develop, it might.  But how do you know if you do not try."

"I just can't, Brenda."  Ava said, softly.

"I wish you would try.  I doubt you will find someone like him, Ava."  Brenda pointed out.

"I know I won't.  But I don't plan on too.  I have the memories of our night together, I can be okay with that." Ava said.  She added, "I just hope he can move on with his life."

Brenda shook her head.  "I don't understand you, Ava.  He is a one of a kind guy who comes in your life and you push him away.  Any girl would kill to have a guy like him."

"And that girl will be more deserving of him.  I am too damaged.  I don't deserve him.  I didn't even deserve what I had with him."  She sadly said.

Brenda reached over and gently gripped her shoulder.  "You deserve more then you know.  I just wish you would see that."

Ava looked away from her, not believing she did. 

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Ava was in Central Park, standing on a bridge as she looked out from it at the people.  Mark had texted her earlier saying he wanted to talk to her.  She knew she had to get the conversation out of the way.  They agreed to met publicly as she didn't want a scene.  She waited.  She leaned on the rail as she wondered when the hell he would be here.  She sighed as she knew she would get it from him.  She wasn't ready for this conversation.  She looked around for Mark.  She stood straight as she recognized someone, but it wasn't Mark, it was Seth.  She stood there having her feels consume her. 

Seth walked to the bridge, he agreed to met Mark there as he thought it would be a good idea to take a walk to clear his mind as they talked.  Mark told him he felt he should have someone to talk to.  So, Seth went.  He got to the bridge they said they would met and he saw her leaning over on the rail.  He stopped and looked at her.  He felt his heart beat faster as he stared at her.  What is she doing there?  He thought.  He thought about leaving, getting away as he didn't want to deal with anymore pain.  But then he noticed that she saw him. She looked directly at him.  He knew he couldn't take off.  So, he exhaled and walked towards her.