In My Arms by Taryn Plendl Page A

dressed before walking back to my place.
    A familiar face caught my attention.  I stopped and watched her for a minute before she noticed me and a smile spread across her face.  I jogged over to her and swung her up in my arms, twirling in a circle.  “Oh my god Rachel!  What are you doing here?”  I set the small brunette down, cupping her face in my hands and looking at her.  “You look beautiful!’
    “I missed you.  I hope you don’t mind me showing up unannounced.”  She smiled.
    “Never!  I miss you too! You’re always welcome here.”  I kissed her on the forehead and wrapped her in my arms, just in time to look up and see a devastated Ava staring at us.  I pulled back quickly. “Ava wait.”  I stepped toward her as I released Rachel.  She shook her head, turned and ran around the corner. “Ava!”  I yelled, trying to catch her.  She was gone before I could get to her.  I put my hands on my knees, feeling like I had a brick in my chest.  I felt a small hand on my back. “Honey?  Who was that?”

Chapter 14
     
    Ava
     
    “Stupid Ava!”  I was so mad.  How could I let myself fall into this again?  What was it with the guys I chose to get involved with?  I threw clothes in a suitcase, paying very little attention to what I was packing.  I needed to get away to think. 
    “Damn it!”  The stupid phone wouldn’t stop ringing.  I scrolled through the missed calls.  All Trevor.  Over twenty text messages.  I couldn’t bring myself to open them.  I wanted to get out of there before he decided to try to talk to me in person.
    I grabbed my makeup and hair things and tossed them into my bag. I was going to turn the phone off, it was driving me crazy. Shit.  I knew I needed to call Talia.  She would freak if I just up and left town without telling her.
    I dialed quickly as I was headed out the door.
    “Hello?”
    “Talia?”  I started crying.
    “”What’s wrong Ava?  Are you okay?”  She was worried.
    “I’m fine.  Not really, but I need to get out of here for a couple of days.”  I was sobbing now.
    “What happened Ava?”
    “I caught Trevor with another woman.”  I could barely get it out.  The image of him with the pretty woman in his arms, the way he looked at her with just happiness.  The way he wrapped her in his arms and kissed her on the head.
    “What the fuck?” Talia snapped.
    “I know.  I can’t believe it happened again.” I leaned against the wall by the elevator, trying to find a Kleenex.
    “Are you sure that’s what you saw?”  Talia asked.
    “Talia, he was holding her, swinging her around, holding her face and looking lovingly in her eyes before he wrapped her in his arms and kissed her on the forehead.  When he saw me he stepped back from her like he’d been caught.  What do you think?”  I bawled.  I was angry, but more so at myself that anyone else.  I had allowed this to happen again.
    “I just can’t believe it Ava, I mean the guy was head over heels for you.”  Talia claimed. 
    “Well, I know what I saw Talia, and of all people I thought you would believe me!”  I exclaimed.
    “Take a step back from the ledge Ava!  Of course I believe you.  I’m just shocked.”  She sighed. “Do you need me to come over?”
    “No, I’m going away.  I’m going to see my mom for a few days.  I just didn’t want you to worry.  Please don’t tell Trevor where I am, okay?”  I insisted. 
    “Okay honey, text me and let me know when you get there.  I’m sorry Ava.” 
    “Me too Talia, me too.”  I hung up and groaned when I heard another text come through.
    ***
     “Thanks mom.”  I said as I took a drink from the coffee that she sat in front of me.
    “Ava, do you want to talk about it?” My mom had been great the last couple of days.  She didn’t push me and she didn’t hover.
    I had sent an email to Mr. Jameson and told him I had a personal emergency that I needed to go out of town for.  There were