“Alice didn’t tell me,” Dana said, taking quick glances at Alice who seemed to be putting all her power into avoiding Dana’s eyes. “It’s great news though Ella. W-when do you start?”

“I leave in two weeks,” Ella happily replied. “I know it’s not that long but it’s such a great opportunity that I would leave tomorrow if I could.” Dana couldn’t help but notice the sadness that filled Alice‘s eyes when she heard this comment.

“Thanks babe,” Alice said in a sarcastic tone, hiding her actual disappointment well as Ella simply gave her a kiss on the head.

“Well I have to go guys.” Dana didn’t really have to go, but it didn’t seem like her place to stay. “Congratulations with the new job offer Ella. Al I’ll ring you later.”

——————————————————————————————————————————–

An hour after Dana left, Alice said her own goodbyes to Ella and went home. She gave her girlfriend an excuse about some overdue research she had to do but really she just needed some alone time.

“Not that I wont have enough alone time when Ella leaves for London,” Alice mumbled miserably under her breath. She sighed and jumped onto her couch, pressing the play button on her stereo remote, allowing Jeff Buckley’s voice to fill her apartment.

Her mind was in a state of confusion over Ella’s decision. The hurt and vulnerability she had felt so often in the hands of previous lovers such as Gabby had wormed its way back into Alice‘s heart, and the doubt she had of herself as a good girlfriend was stronger than ever. It wasn’t that she blamed Ella for taking the position, it would do wonders for her career, but she just so absent mindedly told Alice this morning that it completely stripped Alice of any worth in Ella’s eyes.

“She didn’t even ask for my ***** opinion,” Alice said out loud to her empty lounge room, unbothered by the tears that were slowly trickling down her cheek. “And now Dana knows.” That fact just made the whole situation worse for Alice. Alice could feel Dana’s eyes penetrating her skin at the coffee shop earlier after she heard the news, looking for any sign that perhaps Alice wasn’t completely a hundred percent happy about the move. Of course she wasn’t happy with it, but she wasn’t going to let Dana know that. She wasn’t going to give her the satisfaction of knowing that Ella was merely a distraction from the bigger issue of being in love with her best friend. “***** ***** Fairbanks,” Alice mumbled once more as the image of her beautiful, clumsy best friend filled her mind. “You just won’t give me a break.”