Mr.Brightside

Chapter 76

Jack's Balance

The sun streamed through the large windows of the studio as I sanded the edge of the cabinet, the wood grain smooth under my fingertips. The rhythmic motion of sanding usually helped me think, but today my mind was scattered. Clara's art school idea was taking off faster than either of us had expected, and while I was thrilled for her, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was shifting between us.

It wasn't jealousy. I loved seeing her light up as she talked about her plans, her excitement contagious. It was just... everything was happening so fast. Clara's workshops were in demand, meetings with investors were becoming frequent, and she was getting offers from different cities to collaborate. Meanwhile, I was here, in the studio, trying to keep pace with my own work. My cabinets were selling well, but I was starting to feel like I was falling behind, like my art wasn't evolving the way hers was.

As I wiped the dust from the cabinet, I stepped back to admire it. It was good work, one of my best, but it wasn't enough. Not anymore.

I glanced over at my workbench, cluttered with tools and sketches for future pieces. I had ideas-new designs, concepts that pushed the boundaries of what I'd been doing-but I hadn't had time to dive into them. Between supporting Clara and keeping up with commissions, my own artistic growth had taken a backseat.

The door creaked open behind me, and I turned to see Clara standing in the doorway, her eyes bright and her cheeks flushed from the cold air outside. She had that look on her face-the one she got when something exciting had just happened.

"Hey, you," she said, walking over and wrapping her arms around my waist. "How's it going in here?"

I smiled, kissing the top of her head. "Not bad. Just finishing up this piece. How was your meeting?"

Clara's grin widened. "It was amazing. They love the concept for the school. They're offering us this huge space downtown to start with, and they want to help fund the first few months to get it off the ground."

I raised an eyebrow, impressed. "Wow. That's incredible, Clara. I'm so proud of you."

"Thanks," she said, leaning against the workbench, her excitement palpable. "It's all happening so fast, but it feels right, you know? Like everything is finally clicking into place."

I nodded, trying to ignore the small knot forming in my stomach. "Yeah, it's amazing. I'm happy for you."

Clara studied me for a moment, her smile fading slightly. "But?"

I sighed, leaning against the bench beside her. "It's just... everything's moving so fast. For you, for both of us. I don't want to fall behind, you know? I've been so focused on your projects and commissions that I feel like I'm losing sight of my own work."

Clara frowned, her hand resting on my arm. "Jack, you're not falling behind. Your work is incredible, and people are recognizing that. You've got your own thing going-this school idea doesn't change that."

"I know," I said, running a hand through my hair. "But sometimes it feels like... I don't know. Like I'm standing still while everything around me is speeding ahead."

She stepped in front of me, her hands resting on my chest as she looked up into my eyes. "You're not standing still. You've been supporting me through all of this, and that means more to me than you know. But you don't have to put your dreams on hold for me, Jack. We're in this together, and we'll figure it out."

I nodded, but the unease still lingered. Clara's dream was becoming a reality, and while I was part of that, I didn't want to lose sight of my own. My art had always been my anchor, the thing that kept me grounded. But now, it felt like I was drifting.

"I've been thinking," I said slowly, "about taking a break from commissions for a while. Just to focus on some new projects I've been wanting to start."

Clara smiled, her eyes lighting up with understanding. "I think that's a great idea. You've been working so hard, and you deserve to take time for your own art."

"It's scary, though," I admitted. "Turning down commissions, stepping back from the steady work. What if I can't get back into it?"

"You will," Clara said firmly. "I know you will. You've got so much talent, Jack, and you need to trust that. This break might be exactly what you need to take your work to the next level."

Her words sank in, and I felt a weight lift from my chest. Maybe she was right. Maybe this was the time to step back, to focus on what mattered most to me. To push myself creatively, just like Clara was doing.

"Okay," I said, exhaling slowly. "I'll do it. I'll take the break."

Clara's grin returned, and she pulled me in for a kiss. "I'm so proud of you," she whispered against my lips. "You're going to do amazing things."

A New Focus

Over the next few weeks, I started turning down commissions, politely explaining to clients that I needed some time for personal projects. It was nerve-wracking at first, but with each call, I felt a little lighter, more in control. I started spending more time in the studio, sketching out ideas I had been sitting on for months-pieces that combined woodwork with mixed media, playing with light and shadow in ways I hadn't before.

It was slow going at first. The freedom to create without deadlines or expectations felt foreign after years of working under pressure. But as I spent more time with my new designs, I felt the spark reignite. I was doing this for me, not for anyone else, and that made all the difference.

Clara was busy, too. Her school was gaining momentum, and she was constantly meeting with potential collaborators, planning workshops, and securing the perfect space. But despite her hectic schedule, we made time for each other, carving out moments of quiet in the chaos.

One evening, after a particularly long day in the studio, I came home to find Clara sitting on the porch, a glass of wine in her hand and a blanket wrapped around her shoulders. She smiled when she saw me, patting the seat beside her.

"How was the studio today?" she asked as I sat down, leaning into her warmth.

"Good," I said, taking a deep breath of the cool night air. "I'm making progress. It feels... different, but in a good way."

Clara nodded, resting her head on my shoulder. "I'm glad. You deserve this time for yourself."

We sat in comfortable silence for a while, watching the stars blink into existence above us. The future still felt uncertain, but it no longer felt overwhelming. We were both chasing our dreams, balancing the demands of life with our passion for creating. And no matter what happened, we had each other.

As the night deepened, I wrapped my arm around Clara, pulling her close. "Whatever happens," I whispered, "we'll figure it out together."

She smiled, her hand resting on mine. "Always."

And in that moment, with the stars above us and the world quiet around us, I knew that we would.

-----------------------------------

1188 words