Evelyn sat on the dorm room floor, surrounded by scattered sketches and half-finished canvases. The gallery deadline loomed closer, and although she had made significant progress, doubt still lingered at the back of her mind.
She sighed, running a hand through her hair before reaching for her coffee, only to realize it had gone cold.
Before she could consider making another, a familiar knock sounded at her door.
"It's open,"
she called out, already knowing who it was.
Adrian stepped inside, carrying a steaming cup of coffee and a bag of pastries.
"Figured you'd need this,"
he said, handing her the cup before plopping beside her on the floor.
Evelyn smiled, touched by the gesture. "Are you psychic or just good at reading me?"
Adrian smirked. "At this point, it's the same thing." His gaze fell on the artwork scattered around her. "You've been busy."
She sighed, taking a sip of the coffee. "Trying to be. But the more I work, the more I feel like something's missing."
Adrian picked up one of the sketches, studying it with an intensity that made her stomach flutter. "They're incredible, Evie. But I get what you mean."
She raised an eyebrow. "You do?"
He nodded. "Your work has always had a certain…feeling to it. Emotion. Like it speaks. But these," he gestured to the pieces, "they're beautiful, but they're careful. Almost like you're holding something back."
Evelyn's breath hitched. It was exactly what she had been struggling to put into words.
Adrian turned to her, his expression softer now. "What's stopping you?"
She looked down, tracing the rim of her coffee cup. "I don't know. Maybe I'm scared that if I put too much of myself into them, people will see too much."
Adrian shifted closer, his shoulder brushing against hers. "Isn't that the point of art? To let people see you?"
The warmth of his presence, the sincerity in his voice—it made something inside her chest tighten. She turned to look at him, her lips parting slightly, but no words came out.
Adrian held her gaze for a long moment before reaching out, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. His touch was gentle, lingering just a second longer than necessary.
Evelyn swallowed hard, her heart pounding. "Adrian…"
He cleared his throat, pulling back, though his expression remained unreadable. "I think you should paint something just for you. Something that scares you."
She blinked, caught off guard by the suggestion. "Just for me?"
He nodded. "Forget the gallery, forget everyone else. Just paint what you feel."
Evelyn hesitated, but then, slowly, she nodded. Maybe he was right. Maybe it was time to stop overthinking and just let herself create.
An Unexpected Visitor
The next morning, Evelyn sat at her desk, staring at a blank canvas. The idea of painting something for herself felt both exhilarating and terrifying. But before she could even pick up her brush, her phone buzzed.
Unknown Number:Evelyn, it's Mom. I need to see you.
Her breath caught in her throat. She hadn't spoken to her mother since the tense phone call a few days ago. Her fingers hovered over the screen as a million emotions surged inside her.
Adrian, who had been lying on her bed scrolling through his phone, noticed her expression shift. "What's wrong?"
She hesitated before showing him the message.
His brows furrowed. "Do you want to see her?"
Evelyn exhaled slowly. "I don't know. I mean, part of me does. But I also know it's not going to be easy."
Adrian sat up, leaning forward. "You don't have to go alone."
She gave him a small smile. "I know. But I think I need to."
Adrian studied her for a moment before nodding. "Okay. But if you need me, I'm one call away."
Her chest warmed at his unwavering support. "Thank you, Adrian."
His lips quivered into a smile. "Anytime, Evie."
Facing the Past
Later that afternoon, Evelyn sat across from her mother in a quiet café. The air between them was thick with unspoken words. Her mother looked tired, her fingers wrapped around a cup of tea as she studied Evelyn carefully.
"I didn't think you'd come," her mother admitted after a long silence.
Evelyn shrugged, her fingers tightening around her own cup. "Neither did I."
Her mother sighed. "Evelyn, I know things have been strained between us. I know I haven't always been the mother you needed."
Evelyn remained silent, letting her continue.
"I just…" Her mother hesitated. "I don't want to lose you."
A lump formed in Evelyn's throat. "Then why do you make it so hard to stay?"
Her mother flinched, but she didn't deny it. "I don't know how to be different. But I want to try."
Evelyn took a deep breath, feeling the weight of years of conflict pressing down on her. She wasn't sure if things could ever be fully mended, but maybe…maybe they could start somewhere.
"I don't know what that looks like," Evelyn admitted. "But if you're willing to try, I guess we can figure it out."
Her mother's eyes glistened with something unreadable—hope, maybe. "I'd like that."
Evelyn wasn't sure what the future held for their relationship, but for the first time in a long time, she felt like there was a possibility of something better.
A Quiet Moment
That night, Evelyn found herself outside, standing near the campus fountain. She needed air, space to process everything. She wasn't surprised when Adrian appeared beside her, hands in his pockets.
"How'd it go?" he asked gently.
She exhaled, watching the water ripple under the soft glow of the lamplights. "Complicated. But…not as bad as I expected."
Adrian nodded, waiting for her to continue.
"I don't know if things will ever be okay between us," she admitted. "But I think we're both willing to try."
Adrian studied her for a moment before reaching out, intertwining their fingers. It was effortless, natural, and yet it sent a shiver down her spine.
"I'm proud of you, Evie," he said, voice low and sincere.
Evelyn squeezed his hand, feeling a warmth spread through her chest. "Thank you, Adrian."
They stood there in silence, hands clasped, as the night wrapped around them like a quiet promise of something new.