Between Two Worlds

CHAPTER 15 - Possibilities

The following week was shifting weather as autumn settled in to Grandview, with the trees outside the dorms turning nice shades of orange and red, with a crisp chill in the air. That was an excellent backdrop for change, and I felt it in my bones. Jess and I continued to explore this new dynamic that was between us, but so did the urge to step outside the comfort zone I had been following for all those years.

One afternoon, Jess and I decided to visit a new local art gallery that we had been meaning to check out. It was an intimate little space filled with works from emerging artists. I just wanted to soak in the creativity.
"Do you think we'll be able to critique the art like real critics?" Jess asked jokingly, her eyes sparkling with mischief, as we walked into the gallery.

"Absolutely! I'll wear my beret and everything," I laughed. "We'll be the most pretentious duo in the room."

As we wandered through the galleries, I began to feel such a peace settled upon my soul. Every piece caused conversation, and how easy it was to get caught up discussing colour, emotion and the stories that each artwork told.

That one is interesting," Jess said, stopping in front of the big abstract. "You'd think it would be all chaos, but it's got this calming effect to it."

I nodded, looking at it. "I think it really shows the messiness of emotions. It is messy, but there is beauty in that mess."

Jess turned and looked at me contemplatively. "You have a way with words, Mia. You ought to get back into writing.".

It made my heart flutter with equal parts of fear and excitement. I hadn't allowed myself to feel like that in so long. "Maybe I will," I tried to sound nonchalant. "Just been... hesitant."

Jess smiled at me warmly. "You shouldn't be. Your words have this magic to them. They tell stories that need to be heard.".

Her encouragement ignited something within me and left me buzzing with the challenge. "Alright, I'll consider it. But only if you agree to read everything I write."

"Oh, sure thing!" she said, her excitement catching on to mine.

After we were done touring the gallery, we decided to have a cup of coffee at a small café nearby. Seated there with our coffees, I could not feel as if it were such an important moment for both of us.
"Mia, can I ask you something?" Jess asked abruptly, her face becoming serious.

"Of course," I said, with some quick breaths in my chest.

"What do you see for us?" she asked, her eyes searching mine. "I mean, after everything that's happened."
That she should ask this made the question heavy with meaning. I sat for a beat, collecting my thoughts. "I see. potential," I said slowly. "I like what we have, and I don't want to rush anything, but I also don't want to ignore what's there."

Jess smiled easily, relief etched across her face. "I feel the same way," she said. "I really am glad we're figuring this out together."

As we sipped our coffees, the conversation turned once again to lighter topics: silly college stories and absurd things we had seen on campus. It felt so refreshing just to laugh freely, to let the weight of the past slip away, if only for a moment.

"Do you recall in school when Ethan fell asleep and drooled all over his notes?"

I started laughing. "Ah! And then he woke up, totally confused, like he was in another dimension!"

"He looked like he was fighting an epic battle in his dreams," Jess continued with her sparkling eyes. "I thought he might yell 'FIRE!' or something."

Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if he did," I said, chuckling to myself, shaking my head in disbelief. "That guy is a legend."

As our laughter subsided, Jess leaned in to me with a playful tone. "Speaking of legends, do you think we'll ever become famous artists or writers? Like, will we be the next great duo?

Absolutely! We will storm the world, I declared dramatically, waving my coffee cup around. They'll write songs about us, and our faces'll plaster up everywhere.

Can you imagine? "Mia and Jess: The Power Couple of Art!" Jess exclaimed with a pretend-serious face. "We'll have a reality show, too. It will be called 'Artistic Shenanigans.'

I couldn't stop laughing about it. "I can see it now: every episode starts with us getting into some wild adventure, like trying to paint a mural on the side of a building and getting chased off by the cops." "Or getting lost in a thrift store and coming out with the most ridiculous outfits," Jess said, breaking into laughter as if she had bottled the contagiousness of laughter and was releasing it into the atmosphere.

"Exactly! And then we'll have a fashion show with our thrift-store treasures. We'll be crazy and fabulous!" I chimed, feeling my heart lift with each ridiculous suggestion.

The tension between us sparked with excitement as well and I realized, in that moment, how much I needed these moments with her. Jess had this knack for making me feel alive, and it's this sense of feeling that we were creating something beautiful together.

Almost a week later, Ethan invited us over to a party at his place. It would be the final day of the semester so everyone from our friend group would be attending. Jess and I decided head together, the excitement radiating through us.

The music pulsed with atmosphere as we arrived, and the buzzing amongst our friends filled the air. I was brought alive as I greeted the night ahead. Jess looked stunning, her smile brightening the room, as we basked in the revelry around us.

"Drinks first?" she suggested and headed to the makeshift bar set up in the kitchen.

While we waited for our drinks, Ethan came over to us, a mischievous glint in his eye. "Hey, lovebirds! Ready for a wild night?"

"Lovebirds?" I repeated, my cheeks growing hot. Jess smiled teasingly at me, and my stomach betrayed me.

"Yeah, don't deny it! I saw that kiss!" Ethan winked, and I felt embarrassed and also amused.

"We're just friends," Jess laughed, playfully poking him in the chest. "But maybe a little more than friends."

"More than friends, huh? Are we talking 'Netflix and chill' or 'dinner with the parents'?" Ethan goaded, raising an eyebrow.

"Definitely not 'dinner with the parents' yet," Jess retorted with a playful roll of her eyes. "But I'm good for some pizza and binge-watching later."

Pizza is the key to all good friendships!" Ethan declared dramatically, as if declaring his undying love, with his hand covering his heart.

"And it's a heck of a lot better than weird family dinners," I added laughing.

The night rolled out in a whirlwind of laughter, dancing, and inside jokes. I felt a belonging I hadn't felt in a long time. Jess and I found ourselves gravitating towards one another constantly, our chemistry undeniable.

As the night continued, Jess drew me aside, her face serious. "Can we take a little break? I need to talk to you."

"Of course," I said, realizing now that she was up to something.

We stepped out into the balcony and sat down. A cool night air embraced us. The twinkling lights of campus were a view, and I could hear the distant sound of laughter from the inside.

"What's up?" I asked. I was a little anxious and half-relieved in all this suspense rolling around my head.

Jess took a deep breath and kept looking at the stars. "I just wanted to say that no matter where this goes, I'm really glad we're doing this. I have never felt so connected with anyone else."

It made me feel she is honest and level-headed. "I'm the same," I admitted, my heart beating fast. "It feels like we understand each other in a way that's new and exciting.

The sounds of laughter and music entered the room through the open door, and we shared a moment of silence, allowing the connection between us to deepen. Jess reached out for my hand, we intertwined our fingers, and I felt that warmth breathe through me.

"Let's just enjoy tonight," she said softly. "Whatever happens, happens."

I nodded and smiled. "Agreed.".

As we returned to the party, I was filled with a sense of elation. It was still young, and with Jess beside me, I was primed and ready for whatever the rest of the evening might bring. Maybe this was it, and we were at the beginning of something in which beauty would really blossom-from one friendship would the depth well up to fill laughter, adventure, and endless possibility.