The Dance Between Darkness and Light (girlxgirl)

Emily

If Ella hadn't come in the elevator, I know I would have had Ali. That we would never have made it downstairs. I miss her so much it hurts, feeling her touch me, her soft hands on my body. She was right there, we were so close. If she had just turned her head, just a little.

Her willpower is stronger than mine.

If she had done that to me, we would definitely be up in our room. Remember I said Ali is like a drug? I know I said I'd agree to keeping this weekend on a 'friend' level, but I can't do it. I was in her bed just that one night and that's all it took. I'm addicted.

Fucking Ella.

Now that we are all downstairs and in our respective sessions, Ali is chatting with the other teachers at our table.  Normally I'd be hanging on her every word, but I am quite honestly more interested in the presenter that just walked in.  She's really tall and I can tell she's a runner. How can I tell that? Because she's built just like me.  And to top it all off, this woman is gorgeous; long dark hair and I can see all the way from our table in the back of this room that she has blue eyes. 

She's beautiful.

She's droning on with her welcome message, my eyes tracking her as she walks the perimeter of the tables until she stops and is staring at our table.  And not just our table in general, but specifically at Ali.  Right away I could feel tension, and a glance to my left showed Ali as frozen as a deer in headlights. Eyes wide, mouth slightly agape, the presenter continued while she stared at Ali, '...but some of you I know from way back.'

I feel like I've seen her somewhere before, like I know her face?

'Welcome to everyone.  My name is Avery Bauman and I will be your instructor for the next few hours as we learn this new curriculum together.'

Avery.

This is Avery.

Ali's ex, Thomas' college friend, a guest at our wedding in a few months. Avery Bauman.

This is the Avery.

No wonder Ali is panicking.  If Thomas is still as mad as he is, Avery likely hates her. And to happen upon each other like this?  Oh my god...poor Ali.

The training this morning was 3 hours. Three hours of Avery in our faces, of Avery at our table for questions, instructing us. Once the time was up, I was trying to rush Ali out. I know she positioned herself close to Ali at the end so she could talk to her, I'm not blind. But there she was, tapping Ali on the shoulder, smiling and pulling her into a hug. A long one, too. I know Avery is Thomas' friend, that I should give her a chance, but I can feel jealousy bubbling inside me.

I can only seem to see her as Ali's ex.

'It's...uh...it's been a long time, Avery.' I'm standing close, ready to save Ali if need be, Avery still has her hands on Ali's arms.

"I want to talk to you, Ali, more than just saying hi. But I can't right now. Please, can I take you to dinner tonight? My treat! It's been so long, we need to catch up."

I can see on Ali's face she's shocked, and so am I quite frankly.  Avery doesn't seem angry or interested in being rude.  Honestly, it's Ali who shocked me.

"Um, sure... what time were you thinking?"  What the hell, why is she agreeing to this? 

"I'll meet you in the lobby at 7?"

Ali agreed.  She agreed! Now I'm just angry because we were supposed to have dinner tonight.  Once Avery walked away, Ali immediately apologized.