A Chance Encounter

"So what brings you all the way across the country to Chapel Hill? Seems pretty random" Holly asked with curiosity as the cocktails arrived "Do you have ties here?"

"Something like that" Amy nodded "There is someone here I have a link to. Kind of. But I've never met her, have no idea what she even looks like, and I have a strong feeling she's not going to want to see me"

"That sounds super cryptic" Holly responded between sips of her drink "But I can't see why anyone wouldn't want to see you. I know we've only just met, but you seem adorable"

"It's really a case of my past catching up with me" Amy sighed "I've done some fairly shitty things in the past. Hurt people who had done nothing to deserve it. It's something I would like to finally put right, so here I am. Besides, I move around a lot by nature. You probably wouldn't guess, even with your skills of perception, but I'm actually British"

"Really?" Holly was indeed surprised "You don't have even a trace of a British accent"

"Yeah, I lost it years ago" Amy agreed "I almost feel like I was a totally different person when I lived over there anyway"

"Fuck, you seem to have done so much already and you don't even look like you are our of your twenties. You make me feel like I haven't lived" Holly sighed to herself.

"If it makes you feel any better I'm a little out of my twenties" Amy smirked knowingly "Have you always lived here then?"

"Yeah, my whole life" Holly sighed "Pretty boring huh? I even went to University in Chapel Hill. But my family history is a little complicated, and I have a younger sister who I don't like to be too far away from. So to some degree I guess I'm a little trapped here"

"I guess we can both be trapped here together then, Laney" Amy smiled as she held up her drink "To chance encounters"

Holly clinked her glass against her new friend's drink. This was her third of the evening now, and she was starting to feel bold.

"So, whereabouts are you staying?"

"Just at a hotel around the corner from here for now, until I find a place"

"The drinks are a little overpriced here. Maybe we could grab a couple of bottles of wine from the store and get out of here, drink to our new friendship in your room?"

Amy paused for a moment, tracing the rim of her glass with her finger and pursing her lips as she seemed to consider whether or not this was a good idea.

"You know, I never normally do anything like this, especially not with someone I've only just met. But from the moment you walked over I've felt this weird connection to you that I can't quite explain. So sure, we can do that if you like. I would definitely be interested in getting to know you better"

"Perfect, just let me say goodbye to my friend first. I won't be long!"

--

Holly and Amy were still wrapped in each others' arms the next morning, not wanting their perfect evening together to end. It was Holly's first time with a woman, and already she could never imagine going back to sleeping with guys after this.

It wasn't just that the sex was better, the emotional connection had felt so much smoother too. The pair had stayed up late into the night just talking, bonding and getting to know and understand each other. It was strange, because Amy had talked quite a lot about herself and her life in Oregon, but Holly still felt there was something very mysterious about her new acquaintance, like there were some fairly significant gaps in her history she didn't want to talk about. But they had known each other less than a day, so that was fair, Holly figured. Besides, there were some pretty significant things about herself and her family that Holly had no intention of telling anyone.

"So, how about we spend the day together. you can be my guide while I settle in here. Maybe even help me choose an apartment?" Amy suggested "I want to find somewhere you approve of, as I'm hoping you'll be visiting often"

"I'm still living with my parents, just try and keep me away!" Holly grinned back "Let me take a quick shower and I'm all yours. Actually, there's room for two if you'd like to join me?"

As their shower turned into yet another make out session, Amy leaned back and smiled dreamily at her new friend.

"I think I'm going to be very happy here now. I'm so glad I met you, Laney"

"Oh, actually that isn't my name" Holly confessed "Laney is more of a nickname. I don't usually approach women, but I couldn't help myself when I saw you yesterday, so I used an alter ego in case I embarrassed myself"

"That's cute" Amy half smiled as she traced her finger around Holly's areola "So what is your real name?"

"Holly"

"Holly?" Amy visibly jolted a little "And what's your surname?"

"Petersen" Holly answered before giggling a little nervously at Amy's slightly spooked reaction "You don't like it? Bad experience with a Holly in the past?"

"No, not at all, only good so far" Amy managed to compose herself as she drew Holly in even tighter "I'm still very glad I found you, believe me"