Love and Ambition

23 - Ripples

The next week of production came blissfully. 

Harmoniously.

Jenn and I worked together like the flow of a running stream. No longer rolling her eyes, but rather bouncing off ideas with me when my directing doesn't fit. Her acting has always shined even with the lack of experience, but with her excitement, she glowed like the sun.

"It's like, this weight is finally off my shoulders," she told me. "I'm glad that I shared this with you. You've made this so much easier."

She dragged me to her room, giggling along the way and locking the door behind her. Her dark brown eyes lit up as if she were staring at a fireplace; a grin plastered on her face. I've seen her high before, but this is natural ecstasy. 

"I made a decision," she whispered, "I'm keeping the baby!"

Joy ran through me as I saw her bubbling with the news, but I couldn't help asking, "but, Jenn... Did you really think this through?"

"Yes!" She half-screamed at me, smiling. "My parents support me all the way, and—" she looked down to her belly, "—they're really excited to be grandparents."

I was happy for her, and I was also excited to be a figurative aunt.

When the day turned into night, Anna volunteered to take the work of sorting the audio and video files. As we're halfway through the week, she offered to edit the beginning of the movie. The less work, the better, I thought. I couldn't say no. 

The movie is finally coming together, packed into a neat bow. The award is no longer far from my reach. 

Best Film.

An achievement of many. This was only the beginning.

"You're day dreaming again," Jason cuts me off. 

I am suddenly aware of us laying together; my cheek resting on his chest, raising and falling with his breathing. 

"I'm sorry, it's just," I sit up, looking down at him. "Something good is finally happening in my life!"

He sits up with me, a smirk on his face as he cups my cheek. "I feel the same."

My cheeks burn and my lips disobeys me trying to hide a smile. But it quickly disappears as he kisses me; pulling my body closer to his. 

In books, I've read how the world disappears when two lovers share a kiss. But this is something better. More powerful than the world disappearing. It's like a collision of two wandering black holes that have finally found each other—pulled together—their gravity so strong it sends a ripple through the Universe. 

Our love has affected the Universe. Rippling and making its mark.

Like I read once, 'He is half my soul, as the poets say'.

The next morning came. I had slept in Jason's dorm. His roommate allowing it only if his girlfriend slept there as well. 

I open my eyes, thanking the small single bed for allowing us to still be entwined with each other throughout the night. My finger tips tracing lines on his back, feeling each bump between smooth skin. I stare up at his sleeping face, his goatee tickling my nose; his chocolate curls covering his eyes.

My heart beats so much for him. 

I cannot see a morning where I'm not awake beside him.

Jason's alarm blare, and he groans; shutting it off then rubbing his eyes. Seeing as Peter's bed is empty, I roll out to get dressed, but I feel firm hands on my hips, pulling me on my back. I look up, meeting Jason's eyes.

"Where do you think you're going?" He stares down at me, his lips curled like a mischievous cat.

After we had our fun and got dressed, we caught the last ten minutes of breakfast. The judgmental stares turned into greeting; like the whole university forgot about the pictures and rumors. 

As we enter the cafeteria, my eye caught a familiar face sitting beside a girl. Ryan, with his arm around her, places a grape into her mouth and she takes it; licking his finger after.

My blood burns through my veins at the sight. My legs lead me towards them. 

"So this is what you do?" I catch his attention, the chatter of him and his friends gone quiet around the table. 

"Excuse me?" He chuckles. He's playing it off, but I notice the light tint of pink in his cheeks.

"You knock up one girl and then target another?" My look burns through his skull and I shift my gaze to the girl, who is removing his arm around her. "Yeah, watch out, he's a pump and dump."

I walk away, satisfied, but I could feel the action ripple back to me. 

* * *

For the end of production, we celebrate the hard work of film making in the local bar. Drinks and loud music letting lose into our system; carrying the weight of work off our shoulders. 

Through the crowd of dancers and filled booths, I quietly look for Becca. My eyes darting around the darkness to find no shining blonde hair. I shrugged it off, thinking that she wouldn't find it rewarding since her name was taken off the list.

Jason nudges me, showing me a pack of cigarettes and standing up. 

I join him outside and my lungs fill with fresh air, later consumed by the toxicity of tobacco. The streets are quiet on a Friday; the air still cold in winter. But with the lack of wind and rustling trees, the town feels serene.

Far to our right, clicking of heels approach then a gruff voice. The gruff, strict voice that was once used on me. My ears prick at the sound. As I turn my head to look, it's Becca, pulled back by Sean. His figure towering over her as he pins her against the wall. 

I could barely make out the words, but I understood this one, "Sean, you're hurting me!"

I've said those words before and the familiar rush of blood runs through my veins. 

"Fuck no," Jason disposes his cigarette on the ground before walking towards them. His shoulder square as his heels hit hard on the pavement. I follow him, but Sean's sudden turn to see me eye-to-eye stops me halfway. 

His chest heaves, the same way he does when he thinks he's been betrayed. Like my presence betrayed him. He was so focused on me that he didn't notice Jason, shoving him away from Becca. Tears streaming down her face as she runs towards me, taking shelter behind my back. 

"I'm so sorry, Brooke, you were right. You were so, so right," she whispers behind me, sniffling.

Shouts of insults exchanges between Jason and Sean. Then the one thing I feared would happen: Sean pulls his fist.

It sends Jason backwards. I have never seen him angry. From far away, I hear him pant, bracing his arms. Jason charges at Sean, sending him to the ground and blowing a punch. 

Sean's grunt and cough echoes through the silent streets. Jason says something I cannot distinguish before standing up, turning around, and walking to us. 

I look at him, but he gives me a soft smile. In that moment, I thought I'd lose him. My eyes well up at the thought. Sean is unpredictable in his ways and he isn't afraid of hurting people. Now with Jason beside me, I took a deep breath that I had been keeping in. 

We turn to walk back to the bar.

"Brooke!" Sean's shout of my name pierces through my ears. 

I ignore him, even with my hands tingling as I hold Jason's.

"Brooke!" He calls again.

My heart races up my throat. I turn around. My eyes widen at the sight. 

With a gun pointed to Sean's head, I wouldn't wish this to anyone—not even Sean.

He sniffles. "You've... You've ruined me, Brooke."