A Chance Encounter

Chapter 13: The New Project

Mia sat at her drafting table, staring at the blank page before her. The white surface seemed to mock her, as if daring her to fill it with something meaningful. Her graphic novel project, which had once filled her with excitement, now felt like a daunting challenge. After months of sketching, drafting, and refining her ideas, she was stuck—completely and utterly stuck.

The deadline for the first draft was looming, and she had barely made a dent in the actual story. Every time she sat down to work on it, something else came up—whether it was a distraction or her own inner doubts creeping in. Her relationship with Jake was blossoming, her friendship with Lucas was mending, and her creative energy felt fractured, pulled in too many directions at once.

But this project was important. It wasn't just another freelance gig or a small commission. This graphic novel was her passion, her way of telling a story she had carried inside her for years. The characters, the themes of personal growth, love, and self-discovery—it all felt deeply connected to her own life. Maybe that was part of the problem. The more personal it became, the harder it was to get out of her head and onto the page.

Mia sighed and glanced around her apartment, hoping for inspiration. Her art supplies were scattered across the table, stacks of reference books and magazines piled high on the floor. She'd spent hours researching different art styles, trying to find a unique visual language that would complement the narrative she had in mind. But still, nothing was coming together.

Frustrated, she pushed her chair back and stood up, walking over to the large window that overlooked the bustling street below. People passed by in a hurry, umbrellas raised against the drizzle that had started to fall. She watched as a couple huddled together under one umbrella, their heads close as they whispered to each other. A pang of longing shot through her.

She had Jake now—his easy smile, his comforting presence, the way he supported her even when she doubted herself. But even with his unwavering encouragement, there was a part of her that still felt like she was battling this creative block on her own.

A soft chime from her phone broke her thoughts. She picked it up to see a message from Lucas.

Lucas: "Hey, how's the graphic novel going? Any breakthroughs?"

Mia smiled at his timing. Ever since they had reconnected, Lucas had been a steady source of encouragement when it came to her work. He seemed genuinely invested in her creative process, which made their newfound friendship even more meaningful.

Mia: "Not really. I've been staring at the same blank page for the past hour. It's like my brain has completely shut down."

A few moments later, her phone buzzed again.

Lucas: "That's rough. Sometimes stepping away for a bit helps. Want to grab a coffee and talk through some ideas? I could use a break from writing myself."

Mia hesitated for a moment before replying. It had been easy to fall back into old habits with Lucas—meeting up for coffee, bouncing creative ideas off each other. But sometimes, she still felt a lingering tension, a shadow of their romantic past. She didn't want to mislead him, and she didn't want to complicate her relationship with Jake.

But Lucas had been nothing but respectful and clear about their friendship. They had drawn clear boundaries, and things seemed to be working. Plus, she could really use a fresh perspective on her project.

Mia: "Yeah, that sounds good. I'll meet you at Brewed Awakening in 20?"

Lucas: "Perfect. See you there."

Mia grabbed her sketchbook and a few reference images, stuffing them into her tote bag before heading out the door. The rain had picked up slightly as she made her way down the street, but the cool air felt refreshing against her skin. She pulled her jacket tighter around her and quickened her pace, eager to see if this conversation with Lucas might spark something.