to be the last one standing (ava/matt)

[ava louise riley]

Ava wasn't really religious in the true sense of the word, more spiritual, and yet she still couldn't believe she was in a church. She could probably count the few remote times she'd ever been in one..when her grandparents had died, when she'd gotten lost and needed directions and ..now. So why now? She wasn't sure. She'd been out walking around the town and just ended up there. Maybe she was confused, after all most people went to church for answers, so why couldn't she? Then again, maybe not.

Walking down the aisle she found an empty pew close to the front and sat in the empty building, just looking out into space.

Matt walked into the church building wearing a pair of slacks and a plain white shirt. He had been in Italy for over 5 months and decided to come back and see all of his old friends. The real reason Matt came back was Ava. Ava was his ex girlfriend, even though they never actually broke up. Matt just moved without warning, and figured she'd move on. He walked to the isles and spotted a girl who looked vaguely familiar. He leaned forward and squinted his eyes to get a better view and he smiled when he remembered the face. IT WAS AVA! He couldnt believe his eyes. "Ava?" he said in a soft hushed tone.

Ava turned, hearing a voice behind her, not recoginizing it until she was fully turned around and even then taking a moment to process who he was. Then she knew. Matt. His presence confused her. What was he doing there? He was right..she had moved on. She was engaged after all...getting married in a month. What was she suppose to say to him? "Hey." she replied softly, still in disbelief.

[matt2007]

Matt couldnt help but continue to smile. He was still holding the flowers he was going to place in the bowl that was upfront. He was a christian now. If you even knew what Matt had been through in his life, he needed closure. It was part of his routine, to pray when he had time too. This is what helped him forget the messy break-up he just got out of with this girl Stephanie. He too had been engaged once, but things changed quickly. He thought he loved someone, but young love. That was when he was 17, and now he was 18 going on 19. Things changed for a reason. He spoke again, still grinning. "How have you been?"

[ava louise riley]

So it was him..Wow..he'd changed. But there was no denying that he looked good. "Good." she replied with a nod. "I've been good...and you?" She was curious. Where had he gone? What had made him leave? She wondered what would've been if he hadn't left. Would she still be with Blake again? She gazed at the flowers he held. Maybe he was meeting someone..?

[matt2007]

Matt nodded, still completly shocked that he had seen her again. When she spoke, he got lost in her voice. He missed her voice. It was alwas so soft and tender, Matt missed that the most. The kisses were great too, but he would die not hearing her voice. "Well i ust got back from Italy..before I left I saw you with Blake, and he told me that you two were getting back together so, i left." he said. "But its important that I'm back now, I get to hang out with you again, like old times." he said, completly unaware that she was getting married. She was still pretty, Matt totally seen that she had changed, but in a good way. He saw he glance at the flowers and he quickly responded. "These are pretty huh? I'm gonna put them on my mom's grave." he said softly looking down. His mom had been killed by his father, and that caused Matt to go out of control. He suffered from depression because of the trauma, ecspecially because his dad beat him. He looked up again and smiled half heartedly.

[ava louise riley]

"Well I hope she likes them as much as I do." Ava said with a smile to him, shoving her hands into her jean pockets. Ava believed in things like after-life and in some weird way, heaven. Maybe it comforted her to know there was something else out there. Old times.. she thought after he'd said it, knowing it wouldn't exactly be like old times since they weren't together. "Yeah, that sounds good." she replied.

[matt2007]

Matt dug his hands in his pockets, not exactly searching for anything, but it was more of a nervous habit. He could tell there was tension between them, like something wasnt being said. The feeling was like a force that was pushing them apart and the way she looked when he said "Like old times" made him know that something was going on. "So, how's life now? I'm sure you must of been through alot since I left." he said looking down, unsure of her response. He looked back up at her with hope in his eyes that maybe, just maybe she didnt forget about him.

[ava louise riley]

Ava nodded before replying. He was right. She had been through a lot, in every aspect of her life. She laughed a little. "Yeah, things have been..sort of crazy." she said honestly, knowing that saying everything he'd missed would probably take the whole day. "But mostly just finishing up school for the year and.." She was about to say 'planning the wedding', but realized he didn't know and that telling him would make things pretty awkward. "..just trying to live every moment to the fullest, you know?"

[matt2007]

"Yeah, well atleast your having fun." he said looking down. He talked to Blake recently and all Blake told him was that him and Ava were together, but Matt had no clue that they'd get married. "I came back here because i missed this place." That wasnt what he wanted to say. He wanted to say that he loved her and wanted her back and he came here to see her and no one else, but it'd be awkward. "So...we're all grown-up now..how does that feel?" he said with a reassuring smile.

[OOC: this song was going through his head. I think it fits how Matt feels. I love that song.

[ava louise riley]

"It feels.." Ava paused and sighed. "Really scarey.." she admitted, with a small smile at him and a laugh. "But it has its moments too...you know, when everything just falls into place and you almost know what will happen..." She looked around the church and back at him. It still felt weird to be talking to him..and in a church of all places. "In any case..I'm glad you're back...I mean it..really."

[matt2007]

Mztt smiled when he was told that she was glad he was back, it meant alot because atleast he knew now that she cared about him in a way. "I'm nervous because everything is real now, no second chances, no going back.." he muttered looking down then back at her. He made a mistake by keaving Ava, and now they were adults he couldnt go back. "But it has some good moments, like me seeing you." he said with a small smile before questioning her. "Wait. Why are you here?"

[ava louise riley]

Ava laughed. "Honestly...I guess i'm still trying to figure it out myself." she replied and smiled at him as she crossed her arms over her chest. "I was just walking and thinking and here I ended up..funny, huh?"

[matt2007]

H egave her a reassuring smile and he nodded. "So dating anyone special?" he said with a small shrug, unaware that she was getting married.

[ava louise riley]

Ava nodded. "Blake, yeah." she said, her voice trailing off as she absentmindedly figured the ring with one hand, still looking at him. She then held it up for Matt to see. He'll know sooner or later anyways..

"The date is set for next month."

[matt2007]

Matt looked down as she mentioned his name, suddenly feeling stupid that he didnt see it comming. Once he looked back at her and seen the ring , he couldnt help but wince. "Y-yeah I-I hope y-your h-happy." he said stammering because he was nervous. He felt as if he wanted to make her jealous, because he felt it would make him feel better. " Y-Yeah im dating someone to..B-brittany...we're not getting married though." he said looking back at Ava. If he hadnt of left, that could of been him marrying her, but it was to late.

[ava louise riley]

Britnay? Ava was surprised. She'd thought Brit was with Cam...Guess not..Why hasnt she said anything? "That's..cool." Ava said with a nod and a small, weak smile. It felt weird to hear him say he was dating someone new..then again, wasn't it always? She knew it had been weird when Jack had told her about Tory..then even weirder when he'd mentioned their son..."So when did you start dating?" she asked curiously.