Beneath the Surface

Chapter 21

Lizzie sat cross-legged on the couch, sipping tea while talking with her twin sisters, Mary-Kate and Ashley. The topic of the afternoon had inevitably shifted toward Lizzie's future, and the weight of the conversation sat heavily between them. NYU's acting program was on her mind, and with her sisters' long-standing careers in the spotlight, Lizzie felt the pressure to follow in their footsteps.

"So, you've been seriously thinking about NYU?" Mary-Kate asked, her expression thoughtful.

Lizzie nodded, setting her mug down on the table. "Yeah, but I don't know. It feels like I'd just be living in your shadow, and I want to find my own path."

Ashley smiled softly, leaning forward. "It's understandable. You've grown up with us being in the spotlight, but that doesn't mean you have to do what we did. The acting program at NYU is incredible, but you should only go if it's what you want."

Lizzie sighed, running a hand through her hair. "I love acting, but I don't want to feel like I'm just trying to live up to expectations. I want to do something that's mine."

Before her sisters could respond, the doorbell rang. Lizzie glanced toward the front door, knowing exactly who it was. "That's probably Y/N. She's coming over to hang out."

Ashley raised an eyebrow, smiling knowingly. "Perfect timing. Maybe she'll have some thoughts on all this."

Lizzie laughed softly, standing up and heading toward the door. When she opened it, Y/N was there, dressed casually but looking as effortlessly hot as always.

"Hey," Lizzie greeted her, smiling warmly as she leaned in to kiss Y/N's cheek. "Come in."

Y/N stepped inside, her hand slipping into Lizzie's as they walked back toward the living room. Mary-Kate and Ashley greeted her with friendly smiles, and Y/N, ever the charmer, gave them a nod.

"Hey," Y/N said, taking a seat next to Lizzie. "What's the conversation about?"

"Lizzie's been talking about NYU and acting school," Ashley explained. "She's not sure if it's the right move for her."

Y/N glanced at Lizzie, her gaze thoughtful. "You're thinking about going to NYU?"

Lizzie shrugged, feeling the weight of everyone's attention on her. "I've been thinking about it. I love acting, but I don't want to feel like I'm just following in my sisters' footsteps. I want to do something that's mine."

Mary-Kate leaned back, sipping her tea. "It's a big decision, Lizzie. But whatever you choose, it should be what you want, not what anyone else expects."

Y/N nodded in agreement. "They're right. If acting's what you love, then you should go for it. But if it's not what you want, that's okay too."

Lizzie appreciated Y/N's support, and the presence of her sisters was reassuring. But there was still a part of her that felt conflicted—like she wasn't sure what path she was meant to take.

Mary-Kate smiled warmly at Y/N. "You seem to know Lizzie pretty well. What do you think she should do?"

Y/N glanced at Lizzie, her expression softening. "I think Lizzie should do whatever makes her happiest. She's smart, driven, and talented—whatever she decides, she'll be amazing at it."

Lizzie's heart swelled at Y/N's words, but before she could say anything, Ashley stood up, stretching. "I'm sure you two have a lot to talk about. We'll leave you to it."

Mary-Kate smiled, standing as well. "Yeah, take your time. We'll catch up later, Lizzie."

Lizzie watched as her sisters left the room, giving her and Y/N some privacy. Once they were alone, Lizzie turned to Y/N, feeling a little lighter but still unsure.

"Come on," Lizzie said, tugging Y/N's hand gently. "Let's go to my room."

Once inside her room, Lizzie sat on the bed, pulling Y/N down beside her. The room was quiet, the conversation from earlier still lingering in the air. Y/N looked at her with concern, sensing the weight of what was on her mind.

"You seem a little stressed," Y/N said gently. "What's really going on?"

Lizzie sighed, leaning back against the pillows. "I don't know. It's just... this whole thing with NYU. My sisters are supportive, but I feel like there's this unspoken expectation that I'll go into acting because it's what they did. And I love acting, but I don't know if it's my path."

Y/N nodded, listening intently. "It sounds like you're trying to figure out who you are, separate from your family. That's tough."

Lizzie looked over at Y/N, feeling a rush of gratitude for how well she understood. "Yeah, that's exactly it. I don't want to feel like I'm just following them. I want to make my own choices."

"And you will," Y/N said, her voice steady. "No matter what you decide, it'll be the right decision because it'll be yours."

Lizzie smiled, the tension in her shoulders easing slightly. "I just... don't want to disappoint them. Or my parents. And sometimes, I feel like I don't even know what I really want."

Y/N took Lizzie's hand, squeezing it gently. "It's okay not to have all the answers right now. You don't have to figure it all out today. You've got time."

Lizzie nodded, leaning her head on Y/N's shoulder. "Thanks. I just needed to hear that."

They sat in comfortable silence for a few moments, Y/N's presence grounding Lizzie in a way that made everything feel a little less overwhelming. The uncertainty was still there, but with Y/N by her side, it didn't feel as daunting.

"Do you ever feel like that?" Lizzie asked quietly. "Like you're not sure where you fit in, with everything going on in your life?"

Y/N's expression grew a little more serious. "Yeah. All the time. With my family and everything... it's hard to know where I fit in, especially with the expectations they have for me."

Lizzie lifted her head, looking at Y/N with concern. "Do you ever feel trapped by it?"

Y/N paused for a moment, her gaze distant as she thought about it. "Sometimes. There's a lot of pressure, and I don't always know how to deal with it. But I'm figuring it out, just like you are."

Lizzie reached up, cupping Y/N's cheek gently. "You're not alone, Y/N. We'll figure it out together."

Y/N smiled, leaning into her touch. "Yeah. We will."

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1085 words

Note: Filler chapter, for what's to come ;)

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