#cursesandconstellations

She parted from the crowd, immediately captivating Nadia and taking her breath away. Her long black hair fell over her shoulders like a glossy curtain, her neckline exposing her sharp collarbones. Her dress was similar to that of Nadia’s, almost like they were made of the same cloth, by the same careful hands. A glittering golden dress with red lace and trim, with long flowing sleeves and a slim skirt that fanned out at the bottom. A golden rose was situated in her hair, and the perfect shade of red adorned her slim lips. In one hand she held a glass of plorig, the other at her side.

She slinked over to Nadia, her lips quirked into an easy smile, the sort of smile Nadia missed.

“Look who decided to show up!” Frea said, sidling close to Nadia. “I expected you to be a no-show, honestly.” She lifted her glass to her lips and took a swig of her drink.

Nadia stammered, eyes tracing over Frea. It had been so long… Nadia had thought she had forgotten what she looked like — yet here she was, with every perfect, intricate detail intact.

Frea chuckled at Nadia’s reaction. “I’d always wanted to make you speechless. It’s a wonderful feeling.” Even hearing her speak was exhilarating, and yet, it made her want to cry. It had been far too long since she had heard her voice, seen her face, heard her say her name.

Although she faltered, Frea did not. Frea outstretched a perfectly manicured hand.

“Care to dance?” She asked easily, the words passing over her tongue as if she had asked the question a million times.

Nadia hesitated. This isn’t real, she told herself. Yet, why did it feel so lifelike?

Nadia took a deep breath, and put her hand in Frea’s, smiling bittersweetly. Frea quickly whisked her to the dance floor, their wine glasses disappearing into thin air. It all felt so familiar as they found a spot, hands sidling into spots on the shoulder, the waist, and in each other’s palms. Memories of a first dance at a festival with tentative touches and shy glances bubbled to the surface, and it only made Nadia’s heart ache even more.

The two waltzed and spun as the music played, whisking them into a new realm of possibility. It felt so right to fall into step with her, to put a hand on Frea’s shoulder and smile at her as they carefully danced. But every other glance stirred painful memories, and depressing images were still plastered to her eyelids every time she closed her eyes.

As the music shifted to a slow song, they began to slow their pace, and instead sway in place, the other pulled close.

“Isn’t this nice?” Frea asked quietly, her voice barely above a whisper.

Nadia nodded, a sad smile on her lips. “It is.” She forced herself to look away from Frea’s dark eyes, her chest aching. “There’s just one problem.”

Frea squeezed her hand reassuringly, offering a small smile. “What is it, my love?”

Nadia screwed her eyes shut, shoulders hunching up. She pressed her forehead to Frea’s shoulder, feeling weak suddenly.

“You’re not here,” Nadia all but sobbed, trying to keep the tears at bay.

“What do you mean?” Frea asked, stilling her feet and guiding Nadia’s face to hers, so their gazes could catch. “I’m right here.” Her thumb drifted softly over Nadia’s cheek, eyes softening. How was it that someone already gone could have such soft eyes?

Nadia smiled — How couldn’t she? Frea always knew the right thing to say. She nodded slowly, giving Frea’s hand a squeeze.

“You’re right,” she said, pressing her forehead against Frea’s. It felt so real, like Frea was there with her. “How foolish of me.”

Frea chuckled, and wrapped her arms around Nadia. Nadia screwed her eyes shut as Frea pressed a kiss to her hairline, Nadia squeezing in on herself tightly, feeling tears prick at the corners of her eyes.