A TWIST OF FATE

CHAPTER 7 : THE BOUNDARIES

As the days turned into weeks, I found myself caught in a delicate dance of emotions. Each encounter with Nex felt like stepping onto a tightrope, swaying dangerously between my feelings and the boundaries I tried to maintain. The moments we shared were electric, filled with laughter and unspoken tension, yet every instinct told me to pull back. The nagging voice in my head constantly reminded me of the complications his girlfriend brought into the picture, and I couldn't allow myself to forget that.

To distract myself, I poured my energy into my art and studies, trying to keep my mind occupied. I sketched for hours in my studio, but no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't escape the magnetic pull I felt toward Nex. I'd catch myself daydreaming about him during lectures, imagining what it would be like to share a laugh, to lean in closer, to let the walls I had built around my heart come crumbling down.

One afternoon, as I sat in the crowded campus café with my sketchbook open in front of me, I spotted Nex at the counter. He was joking with the barista, his laugh ringing out like music. My heart raced, and I felt an overwhelming urge to walk over and join him. But the moment I started to rise, the weight of reality crashed back in. I forced myself to look down at my sketches—a series of half-finished flowers that mirrored my own tangled emotions.

"Hey, you okay?" Joe's voice broke through my thoughts. He slid into the seat across from me, a knowing grin on his face. "You've been staring into space for like ten minutes."I forced a smile. "Just... lost in thought.""Right. Or lost in Nex's eyes," he teased, nudging me playfully. "You should just tell him how you feel.""Joe, it's not that simple," I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "What if I ruin our friendship? Or make things awkward?""Awkward?" he laughed. "You're already awkward, and he seems to like it!" He leaned in, lowering his voice. "Look, what do you want? You can't keep pretending he doesn't exist. It's not good for your sanity.""I know, but what if I mess everything up?" I replied, stirring my drink absently. "What if I ruin everything we have?"

Joe leaned back, crossing his arms with a knowing smile. "You're overthinking it. Just be honest. You know he likes you too. It's written all over his face. And honestly, I'm tired of hearing you mope about him.""But his girlfriend..." I started, my voice trailing off as the weight of my guilt settled heavily on my shoulders again."Forget about her for a second. What do you want?" Joe pressed, his eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that made me squirm. "You deserve to be happy, even if it's complicated. You can't keep pushing him away just because you're scared."His words lingered in the air, resonating with the conflict swirling inside me. I wanted to take Joe's advice, to let go of my fears and embrace the connection with Nex, but the thought of crossing that line felt like stepping into a minefield.

The following week, I found myself in the art department, surrounded by canvases and half-finished projects. I was trying to focus on my latest piece—a vibrant sunset that reflected my inner turmoil—but my thoughts kept drifting to Nex. I could almost hear his laughter echoing in my mind, and it made my heart ache.

"Hey, are you going to stare at that canvas all day?" Joe's voice broke through my reverie. He leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, a playful smirk on his face. "Or are you planning to actually paint something?"I looked up, forcing a grin. "I'm just... thinking.""Right. More like daydreaming about Nex," he said, stepping into the room. "You need to talk to him. This is getting ridiculous.""Okay, but what do I even say?" I replied, frustration bubbling up. "What if I just make things worse?""Just be honest. Tell him you enjoy his company and that you're confused about your feelings. It's not rocket science," Joe advised, his tone light yet earnest.I sighed, running my fingers through my hair. "It's easy for you to say. You're not the one caught in this mess.""True, but you're the one making it a mess by not addressing it," he pointed out. "You can't keep pretending he's just a friend. You're not fooling anyone, least of all yourself."

I glanced away, my heart racing at the thought of confronting my feelings. Joe was right; the boundaries I had set for myself were beginning to blur. Each time I caught glimpses of Nex from across the campus, his laughter igniting a spark of longing within me, I felt the urge to reach out. But I quickly averted my gaze, trying to convince myself that I was being sensible.Later that week, I found myself in the library, buried under a pile of books. I was trying to study for an upcoming exam, but all I could think about was the upcoming art show and the possibility of seeing Nex there. My heart raced at the thought of him walking through the gallery, admiring my work.

Suddenly, I felt a presence beside me. I looked up to see Nex standing there, a casual smile on his face. "Hey! Mind if I join you?" he asked, his voice light and cheerful."Uh, sure," I replied, trying to sound casual while internally screaming at myself to maintain composure.He slid into the chair next to me, and my heart raced. The air felt charged, and I could hardly concentrate on my notes."Working hard or hardly working?" Nex joked, leaning closer to glance at my books."Definitely working hard," I replied, forcing a laugh. "Just trying to get through this exam.""Want to take a break? I could use some distraction," he suggested, his eyes sparkling with mischief.I hesitated, the urge to pull away battling against the desire to connect. "I don't know... I really should study.""Come on, just for a few minutes?" he insisted, his smile disarming.I felt my resolve weakening. "Okay, just a few minutes," I relented.As we talked, the tension between us grew thicker, filled with unspoken words. I wanted to lean in closer, to share my true feelings, but the thought of crossing that line filled me with dread."Did you finish that sketch for the art show?" he asked, his voice genuine."Not yet. I've been... busy," I stammered, avoiding his gaze. The truth was that I couldn't stop thinking about him."I'd love to see it when you're done," he said, his tone encouraging. "You have a real talent."His compliment sent a thrill through me, but it also deepened my sense of dread. What if I let him in? What if I crossed a line I couldn't uncross?

As our conversation continued, I felt the boundaries I had built around my heart begin to crack. I wanted to savor every moment, but the weight of guilt loomed over me like a dark cloud, threatening to overshadow everything.

As the week progressed, I found myself in a constant state of flux, torn between the desire to connect with Nex and the need to protect my heart. I would catch glimpses of him in the halls, and each time our eyes met, the world around us faded away. But I would quickly look away, reminding myself of the reality I was trying to navigate.

The more I tried to ignore my feelings, the more powerful they became, drowning me in a sea of uncertainty. I realized that I was at a crossroads, standing between the safety of my established boundaries and the thrilling uncertainty that came with opening myself up to Nex.With each passing day, I felt the pressure mounting, and I knew that eventually, I would have to confront the truth of my feelings. Regardless of the fear that held me back, I couldn't ignore Nex forever. The boundaries I had set were fragile, and I could feel them trembling, ready to break at any moment.