Found it! [ girlxgirl ]

||FORTY||

Three days have passed since Avery left my apartment.

She tried to call me on Sunday afternoon, but I declined and texted her saying I needed more time. Don't ask me why I needed more time. I just did.

Monday passed and I buried myself in work. Sarah and Richard were very cautious around me and that only made me feel worse.

Still, I said nothing and just passed through the day. I got two texts from Avery, one in the morning and one at night. She said she loves me and she's sorry. I answered before going to bed: "I know. We'll talk soon."

Tuesday was basically the same. I went through the day trying to focus on my thesis and, once again, I got two texts from Avery. This time I replied asking her to come by the next day after her classes so we could talk.

That would be today. Wednesday.

During the whole day I tried to focus on my thesis but I wasn't successful. I ended up talking with Sarah and Richard for longer than we should, ignoring the work we were supposed to do.

It was a much-needed conversation, though. I needed to prepare myself for the conversation I'm about to have with Avery, and they were the kindest and wisest people to talk to at that moment. They know me well, they know Avery, and they know our relationship.

Now, I'm sitting in my couch staring at the door in anticipation. I want to talk to her so bad but at the same time I'm too nervous and scared of what might come out of it.

The doorbell rings and I jump.

After taking a deep breath and mentally give myself a pep talk, I walk to the door and open it.

I wince at the image before me. A completely worn-out Avery.

Guilt washes over me in a second, realizing it took me too long to ask her to meet me.

I step aside to let her in and none of us says a word.

I move to the kitchen and grab two mugs from the cupboard. I glance over my shoulder and see that she's standing still, next to the couch, looking at me.

I fill both mugs with warm tea I had prepared moments ago and return to the living room, extending one of the mugs for her to take.

We both sit on the couch, sideways, facing each other but with plenty of space between us.

I feel a heaviness on my chest and tears fill my eyes. I have to fight hard for them not to fall.

-"I'm sorry it took me so long to talk to you." I says as soon as I gather the strength to speak.

-"It's okay. I would've waited longer if you needed me to." She says with a weak voice and glossy eyes.

-"Thank you. At least now I'm 100% ready to hear you." She nods and I can see that she's thinking of what words to say.

-"I don't know where to begin, though."

-"Well, Sophia, obviously." I cringe.

-"Right. Well, our parents have known each other since they were kids. She's older than me one year, and we went to the same schools, except college. It's a cliché story, really. Best friends, one is gay, falls in love with the other, the other reciprocates the feelings for a while but eventually moves on." She shakes her head.

-"How long it lasted?" I managed to ask, although my heart is in my throat.

-"We got together a couple times before we actually tried a relationship. When we were younger. Around February, last year, we spent a lot of time together and the feelings got more and more intense and obvious. I talked to her, she admitted she felt the same and we gave it a try." She's staring into nothing and sadness shines through her eyes. I give her room to think and wait patiently and nervously for her to keep going. "I told my parents about us but she never told hers. Our friends knew about it. Rose warned me to be careful but I ignored her because I genuinely thought Sophia would come through with her promises of being together exclusively and not hide it from anyone."