Mr.Brightside

Chapter 60

Clara's Choice

The sun streamed through the curtains of my old bedroom, casting a warm, golden light on the faded posters and the bookshelves filled with teenage memories. It felt strange to be waking up here again, like I had stepped back in time. But the difference now was that the weight of adulthood—of my relationship with Jack, of my career, of all the decisions that lay ahead—pressed down on me like a heavy blanket.

The call last night with Jack had been a relief, but it wasn't a solution. We were still in this uncertain place, and I wasn't sure how we would navigate out of it. But for the first time in weeks, I felt hope.

I stretched out under the covers, feeling the quiet stillness of the house. My mom had left early for work, and I had the day to myself. I needed time to think, to sort through everything that was pulling me in different directions.

The gallery was supposed to call me soon to confirm the dates for my upcoming exhibit. It was a huge opportunity, and I should have been thrilled, but instead, a sense of dread settled in the pit of my stomach. What if Jack wasn't ready to stand beside me in this new world I was building? What if the space between us wasn't just temporary, but the start of something permanent?

Coffee and Decisions

I padded downstairs, the wooden steps creaking beneath my feet. In the kitchen, I made a cup of coffee, the smell grounding me in the present. As I sat at the small table by the window, I stared at my phone, debating whether to call the gallery and finalize the details, or whether to wait—wait for Jack, for clarity, for something to tell me which way to go.

The truth was, I didn't want to wait anymore. I loved Jack, but I couldn't keep holding myself back, hoping he would catch up. I had to make this decision for me, not for us.

With a deep breath, I picked up the phone and dialed the gallery's number.

"Hi, this is Clara," I said when the receptionist answered. "I wanted to confirm the dates for my exhibit."

"Of course, Clara! We have you down for the 15th of next month. Does that work for you?" The woman's voice was cheerful, and I could almost hear her smile through the phone.

"Yes, that works," I said, feeling the weight of the decision settle on me. There was no turning back now. This was real.

"Great! We'll send over the contract and details later today. Looking forward to it!"

I hung up, staring at the phone in my hand. I should have felt excited, but instead, I felt anxious. The decision was made, but the reality of it hit me harder than I expected.

Would Jack be there with me when that day came? Would he be standing beside me, proud and supportive, or would we still be on opposite sides of this widening gap?

A New Path

I needed air. Grabbing my jacket, I headed outside, walking aimlessly down the quiet suburban streets. The crisp autumn breeze felt good against my skin, and as I walked, I let my mind wander.

Growing up, I had always thought my life would follow a clear path: school, career, marriage, kids. It was what my parents had done, what most people I knew were doing. But now, standing on the edge of something big, I realized that life wasn't that simple. I couldn't mold myself into some perfect version of the future that everyone else expected.

And maybe that was okay.

Maybe Jack and I didn't need to fit into some perfect mold either. Maybe we could figure out our own version of what worked. But if we couldn't, I had to be ready to walk my path—even if it meant walking it alone.