Between Two Worlds

CHAPTER 1 - A Secret Melody

I'd been sitting in this ancient oak tree resting in the center of Willow Creek, playing this guitar I'd been lugging around, hoping to write another song in this consecrated place. I had thought that if I sit here, then I might realize some inspiration to write a song about Ava, whom I've secretly been in love with since childhood, but can never find the words to admit how much of admiration I feel for her. I chose the place so that I might have a glimpse of the painting of her on their balcony. Observing her, I came to realize the extreme love that I possess for her.

"MIA!!!" my mom called, interrupting my train of thought as I tried not to make it obvious that I was checking Ava out. I rushed my gaze down to my sheet music before turning to Mom with an expression of annoyed irritation. "What?" I responded to her in a tone that was a cocktail of annoyance and distraction. I didn't want to miss one second of Ava's fluid motion as she painted.

"Wait here for a minute; I wanna help us move some stuff. Your father ought to be here soon, and you must get ready for this long ride to university," she said. Something in my chest knotted; I wouldn't know how to tell Ava that I was leaving her and moving back into my father's house in Grandview. I wasn't ready to say goodbye.

I stood up while taking a sneak peek of her. Ava was looking at me with that bright smile as I couldn't help but smile back at her while I walked to where she was at. "Hi, Ava, may I see your painting?" I asked, trying my best to keep my voice steady enough.

I leaned closer to her easel and gasped. She was capturing the beauty of the oak tree where I often sat. The colors were vibrant and alive, like her spirit. "Wow, this is amazing! You really have a way with colors," I said, flabbergasted.

Ava beams with pride, her eyes sparkling. "Thanks, Mia! I wanted to capture how it feels to sit under this tree. It's like a little world of its own."

Looking at her painting, bittersweet pangs formed in my heart. This place and this moment were everything I loved, but I knew they wouldn't stay that way for much longer.

Ava's brush danced across the canvas as she applied the final touches. "You should come and sit with me more often," she said with playful undertones. "Maybe I could paint you too."

At just those mere thoughts, my heart started racing. "I'd love that," I whispered out softly, barely above a whisper. It was surreal, being caught on her canvas, but I knew time slipped away.

As she moved back to survey her handiwork, I couldn't look away from her as she sat there in a reverie. She was so serene, so full of life. I couldn't keep it in anymore; I had to let her know of all the feelings welling up inside me; and of all that lay within me for her.

"Mia?" Ava's voice cut through my reverie. "Are you okay? You seem a little off."

"Yeah, just. thinking," I said, faking a smile. "About how much I'll miss this place."

She nodded, her face easing. "I know. It's special here. But we can always come back, right? Even when we're off at university?"

"Right," I said, though a voice inside me doubted this. Would I really return?

Just then, my mother called again from inside. I knew I had only a little time left. "I have to go check what's going on," I said grudgingly, turning back to look at the door. "But I'll check on you, okay?"

"I promise?" Ava asked, her eyes meeting mine.

"I promise," I said, though a weight of uncertainty pressed down upon me.

I turned to leave, but for some reason, I stopped and looked back at her. "Ava, wait!"

She turned, her eyes inquisitive.

"I. I just wanted to let you know that I really admire you. Your art. Your passion. Just inspires me."

Her cheeks flushed with the faintest color of blush. She smiled shyly. "Thank you, Mia. That means a lot to me.".

I took one last, lingering look and left the place as my heart went. As I started helping my mom pack our belongings, I felt something of great importance was slipping out of my reach bit by bit.

The road to Grandview seemed interminable and the countryside a watercolor smear across which my thoughts chased Ava's image, reliving our conversation, wondering how I hadn't had the courage to speak my mind, with the picture of her smile dancing in my head with every throb of unspoken words.

It wasn't until we finally arrived at my dad's that I was struck by the usual bustle of settling in. There were boxes everywhere, and my dad's familiar voice echoed through the rooms. And yet, all that seemed to cross my mind was how far, far away I was from Willow Creek--and from Ava.

That evening, lying in bed, I took out my guitar. The house was silent all around me, and the strummed chords eventually brought on a melody, a song. It was about longing, love that seemed just out of reach. Each note was a whisper of what I couldn't say to Ava.