Between Two Worlds

CHAPTER 23 - NEW

The campus of Grandview was bubbling with life and students settling into the new semester. Ava was officially registered and living just a few blocks over, so everything seemed to be moving in a different direction. I couldn't help but wonder how that would change things between us, considering all that had happened.

I was off to my first class of the semester when I spotted Ava in front of the campus bookstore, talking animatedly with a group of friends. Her face was alive and radiant, like her laughter was filling the air with music. Yet, for some reason, her look flocked so many conflicting emotions: excitement, longing, with a hint of apprehension rising inside me.

"Ava, hey!" she called out to me, waving enthusiastically. My heart was racing as I approached her.

"Hey! Really? You're here?" I said, trying to work the casual tone into my voice despite the flip-flopping that was going on in my stomach.

"Me too! It is surreal," said Ava, her eyes dancing. "Are you ready for another year?"

"Ready as I'll ever be," I said as I tried to get my smile to stick on my face. "So, so far everything good?"

Good! Just trying to get settled and figure out my classes," she said, peeking down at her schedule. "But I'd love to catch up-maybe grab coffee later?"

"Definitely," I agreed, the warmth of her presence easing some of the tension I felt.

The more we talked, the more I could not help but think about Jess; besides, I knew I had to be honest with both of them, but what was I going to say to them? There was unexplored territory ahead of me, and each conversation was like carrying a ton of potential consequences around in my head.

"Cool! Let's meet up at that café down Main Street after classes?" Ava proposes, her enthusiasm being almost contagious.

Sounds great," I replied, feeling a mix of both anticipation and anxiety. "See you then!"

I walked to class replaying our conversation. Ava was here, ready to start fresh, but I still needed to figure out what that meant for me and Jess.

So, that afternoon, I met Jess at the student union to grab a quick snack before my next class. She would smile when she saw me, and that instant brightened my day.

"Hey! How was your first day?" she asked with shining eyes, interested.

"It's good! I met up with Ava," I said then checked for her reaction. "She is here officially for college.".

Jess's face softened for a moment, but I still sensed something in her eyes that I couldn't grasp. "Yeah, that's cool. Are you excited to see her?" she asked.

"Yeah, it's nice having her around," I muttered, working my words with care. "We're grabbing coffee later."

"Good," Jess replied flatly. "Mia, just remember: you need to be clear about what you want. I don't want you confused again.".

"I know," I said, the burden of her words sitting heavy on me. "I'm working on it, I promise."

As Jess outlined her semester plans, my mind wandered away from her, to Ava, and all that unspoken tension between us. That Ava was staying this close was like one of those signs, an opportunity to pursue what might be there at the same time as bringing home everything left unsolved.

I walked to the café that afternoon, my heart doing a jittery panicky dance. I had caught sight of Ava sitting at the comer table, and her smile immediately brightened the room. She was felt to be drawn to her, and the warmth that was so familiar was back.

"Hey. Sorry if I kept you waiting," I said sliding across from her in the seat.

No problem," I said to her, smiling; that's always so much easier to give than take. "I was just people-watching, actually."
"Well, thank God we're finally catching up," Ava said, with sparkling eyes.
"Me too," I replied, taking a moment to drink in her presence. "So, how's college life going so far?"
"It's amazing-just a little overwhelming at times, but I'm really loving the vibe here," she replied, elation radiating off of her, infectious. "And I've really met some fantastic people already.".

Wow that's amazing," I said, hurt mixed with happiness. "Hope you find your rhythm soon."

We talked for hours because the conversation had become natural once again, but an avalanche of unspoken truths sat deep in my heart. I needed to be honest about what I was going through, and those words were supposed to come out from my mouth, but they stuck in my throat.

"Hey, Mia," Ava said with a change in her tone. "I've wanted to talk to you about... us."

I felt my heart skip at the words that left her mouth. "Us?"
"Yeah," she said levelly. "What happened in the cabin—when we kissed—it's been on my mind quite a lot. I didn't want it just to be something and then forgotten."

I took a deep breath, feeling a little exposed. "It meant a lot to me too, Ava. But things are complicated with Jess."

"I get that," Ava said, her expression softening. "But I just want you to know that I'm here. I'm open to exploring whatever this is."

"Me too," I admitted, my heart racing. "But I also care about Jess. She's been really important to me.".

Ava nodded, her eyes gathering meaning. "I only want to see you happy, Mia. You deserve it."

The weight of her words stayed suspended in the air like the looming danger that fills one with gratitude and induces fear. I knew I had to find this sooner rather than later, but for now, I wished I could freeze time and hang out with Ava instead.

Let's take it slow, " I said, feeling a bit of relief. "I want to see where this goes, but I need to be honest with Jess too."

"Of course," Ava said, a smile breaking through. "I'm just glad we're on the same page.".

As we sat there sipping our drinks, laughing over memories, a new hope blossomed in me. As new beginnings set in, I knew that I was all set for whatever love or friendship, or perhaps everything in between, offered in my future.