Mr.Brightside

Chapter 68

 Clara's New Beginning

The cabinet sat in the corner of my apartment, a silent witness to everything Jack and I had gone through. Every morning when I woke up, I'd see it—its intricately carved tree, its branches reaching for something higher, rooted deeply, just like us. I couldn't help but run my fingers over it sometimes, tracing the grooves in the wood, feeling the care and intention behind each line. It was more than just furniture; it was a promise, one that reminded me daily that we had chosen to move forward together.

The exhibit had been a success, the first of many, as I was quickly finding out. After that night, the calls had come pouring in—galleries, collectors, even a few media outlets. It was overwhelming in the best possible way, and yet I found myself grounded in a way I hadn't expected. All of the external recognition, the validation—it mattered, but not in the way I thought it would.

What mattered more was the quiet moments at home, when I'd talk to Jack about my day, or when he'd show me some new project he was working on. There was something about our connection that had shifted, settled. We weren't trying to prove anything anymore. We were just being. And that felt more powerful than anything else.

But with the success came a new set of challenges. I had to make decisions about where my career was heading, and while it felt exhilarating to think about the possibilities, there was a nagging fear that tugged at me. What if the path ahead took me somewhere Jack couldn't follow? What if my success widened the gap between us again, no matter how hard we tried to hold on?

These thoughts lingered at the back of my mind as I prepared for my next big opportunity—a residency in New York City. It was a prestigious program, the kind of thing artists dreamed of, and they wanted me. It was a chance to work with other creatives, to push my boundaries, and to immerse myself in the heart of the art world.

But it was also far from Jack. Far from the life we were trying to build together.

The Decision

The morning I received the official offer letter, I sat at my kitchen table, the cabinet in view, the letter in my hands. The words seemed to blur as I read them over and over. It was a six-month residency, with the possibility of an extension. Six months in New York, six months away from Jack, from our life here.

I needed to talk to him. We had been so open with each other lately, so honest about where we were and what we wanted. But this—this was different. This was about distance, about time apart. Could we handle that?

I dialed his number before I could second-guess myself, my heart pounding as I listened to the ringing on the other end.

"Hey," he answered, his voice warm and familiar. "What's up?"

I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself. "I got the offer for the residency."

There was a pause on the other end, just long enough to make my nerves spike. "That's amazing, Clara. Really. I knew you'd get it."

I smiled, even though he couldn't see it. "Thanks. It's... it's everything I've worked for. But..."

"But it's in New York."

"Yeah. Six months," I said quietly, the weight of the words finally sinking in. "It's a long time."

Jack didn't say anything right away, and I could picture him sitting there, thinking it through. He had never been one to react impulsively, and I appreciated that about him now more than ever.

"Do you want to go?" he asked finally, his voice steady.

"I don't know," I admitted. "I mean, yes. Part of me really wants to. But the other part... the part that loves our life here, that loves you... that part doesn't want to leave."

Jack was silent for another moment, and when he spoke again, there was a calmness in his voice that reassured me. "Clara, you've worked for this. I don't want to be the reason you don't go. You have to do this for yourself, not for me."

"But I don't want to lose you," I whispered, my voice barely audible. "I don't want to lose us."

He sighed, and I could hear the emotion in his voice now. "You won't. We're stronger than that, Clara. We've already been through so much. If you want to go, we'll figure it out. I'll come visit, you'll come back when you can. We can do this."

His confidence, his belief in us, was like a lifeline. I hadn't realized just how much I needed to hear him say that.

"You really think we can handle it?" I asked, my voice trembling slightly.

"I know we can," he said firmly. "You're not just my girlfriend, Clara. You're my partner. We're in this together, no matter where you go."

Tears welled up in my eyes, and I wiped them away quickly. "I love you, Jack. More than anything."

"I love you, too. And I'm proud of you. So, so proud."

The Next Steps

After our conversation, I felt a sense of clarity that I hadn't expected. Jack was right. This was my chance, and I had to take it. Not just for me, but for us. We had spent so much time fighting to keep things together, but this was different. This wasn't a fight—it was a step forward.

I accepted the residency the next day, and as the weeks went by, I started preparing for the move. Jack and I talked constantly about how we'd stay connected while I was away, and we made plans for him to visit as often as he could. It wasn't going to be easy, but for the first time in a long time, I felt like we were ready for the challenge.

The day I left for New York, Jack drove me to the airport. We didn't say much during the drive, but his hand rested on my leg the whole time, a steady reminder that I wasn't doing this alone.

At the gate, I turned to him, feeling the weight of the moment settle between us. "Are we really going to be okay?" I asked, my voice quiet, vulnerable.

Jack pulled me into a tight hug, his arms wrapping around me like a shield. "We're going to be more than okay," he whispered into my ear. "We're going to be great."

I believed him.

As I boarded the plane, I felt a mix of emotions—excitement, fear, hope. But above all, I felt something I hadn't felt in a long time: certainty.

We were building something that could withstand the distance, the challenges, the unknowns.

And as the plane took off, I looked out the window, feeling the weight of Jack's promise, solid and unwavering, like the tree carved into the cabinet he had made for me.

We were in this together, no matter where life took us.

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