This is L.o.v.e. like it should be

XVI. Overview

It was a normal Sunday, the now most painful day of the weekend. Ava had nothing to do, besides lounging around at home, watching TV or reading. Her friends would all be hung over from parting Saturday night, or busy with their families. But not Ava. She was actively avoiding contact with others so no one would know she wasn't spending the day with Julien, like they used to. It was their thing, to spend Sundays together.

In some of those Sundays, they would be going to Julien's beach house. Julien loved the breeze coming from the sea in the early morning. And Ava enjoyed watching him sitting on a comfortable chair, having tea. He would always turn to her and say: "There's no shame in living a quiet and peaceful life".

Those words would always make her smile inside, because that was what Ava wanted the most, a quiet and peaceful life at his side. Having his love was all the excitement she needed to be happy.

"I couldn't love you more, Julien", she thought every time.

She missed sitting at his side so much.

Most of the time, they would talk about nothing or even stay silent. But for Ava, to just be at his side watching the coming dawn was one of the best gifts from life itself.

Ava closed now her eyes, sitting in her bed, with the window open to let a similar breeze to the sea come through the window.

"I miss him", her lips transformed her pain into words.

Ava was alone at home. Her parents were visiting her grandparents, just like every Sunday. So, Ava decided to pretend this was one of her normal Sundays and wait for Julien to knock at her door and take her to the beach house.

She knew it wouldn't happen since, according to Phoebe's words; he was already seeing his next lay. Ava could still see the new girl holding Julien's arm while smiling... And, the worst part, she was so pretty.

"How did we get here?", Ava asked herself, feeling the tears forming in her eyes. If ava kept her eyes closed, she would picture Julien placing his soft hand on the new girl's face and kissing her lips, just like he used to do with Ava.

Just a simple kiss was such a painful image.

"His next lay...", she repeated Phoebe's words. Could Phoebe be right? Was Julien waking up with another girl at his side? In the same bed they spent their nights together?

That was an unbearable idea!

Ava crumbled, falling from the bed and getting on her knees, and her head between her own legs. "Why does it hurt so much? It can't be true... he can't be with another already! We were together for three years... I need to know..."

The need to know if she had been just another girl in Julien's list was the only thing on her mind, as Ava dried her tears and grabbed her car keys.

Her heart was racing in fear and confusion.

"I have to know..."