Between Two Worlds

CHAPTER 29 - Unforeseen Currents

The aftermath of our stand-off with Ava's parents left a heavy silence hanging over us. We were united in our resolve, but as the days went on, new challenges swam out to threaten to pull us under.

It wasn't until the following week that I realized Ava was withdraw. Initially, I had thought she just had stress from being at the dinner and all that time running away from her parents. As the days passed into a blur of shared classes and quiet conversations, however, her mood only seemed darker.

"Hey, what's going on?" I asked one afternoon as we sat on her bed, the sunlight filtering through the curtains. "You've been quiet.".

Ava sat there staring down at the floor, her fingers toying with a loose thread on her blanket. "It's just. everything. My parents are relentless. They just keep sending me messages trying to convince me that I am making a mistake."

I felt a pang in my chest. "What are they saying?

"They're trying to make me feel guilty and break us up. They keep saying I'm going to ruin my future, that I'll never amount to anything if I stay on this path," she admitted, her voice heavy with frustration.

My heart began racing as the spurt of anger rose in me. "That's awful, Ava. You deserve so much better than their manipulation."

I know, but it's tough to just swat away. Sometimes I wonder if they're right," she said, tears welling in her eyes. "What if I really am ruining my future?"

"Ava, listen to me," I said firmly, taking her hands in mine. "Your happiness matters. We're both young, and we're figuring things out together. Just because they don't understand doesn't mean they're right.

Wiping away a tear, her determination flickered. "I want to believe that, but there is something else... I have also been under pressure from my friends."

"Pressure? From your friends?" I asked bewildered. "What do you mean?"

"They don't support us either. They feel that I am being rash for dating you. They comment that I'm not living up to my self," she said, her voice broken.

But my heart sank lower. "That's not fair. Surround yourself with people who lift you up, not tear you down."

"I know, but it feels like everyone's against us," Ava said with frustration. "What if this is just too hard?

"Ava, we can't let them tell us how we're supposed to feel or who we are," I said, my own determination rising. "We need to forge our own way, no matter what anyone else thinks."

Just then, Ava's phone buzzed again, and she pulled it up into view, her expression turning to one of dread. "It's my mom again."

"Do you want to talk to it?" I asked hesitantly.

No, she said firmly, hanging up the phone. I just can't let them control my life anymore.

Then don't, I pushed her, pulling on mixed emotions of pride and concern. Let's make a plan. We need to take control of this situation.

Like what? she asked, furrowing her brow in thought.

"Invite your friends over," I suggested. "Not to fight, but to show them who we are. If they can see our love and how happy we make each other, maybe they'll understand."

Ava thought about that, a glimmer of hope sparking in her eyes. "That could work. Maybe if they see us together, it will change their perspective."

"Exactly! We have nothing to lose by showing them our truth," I replied, feeling a surge of determination.

That night, we decided to hold a small gathering in her apartment. I helped Ava prepare snacks; together, side by side, tensions gave way to excitement.

She texted a few close friends, inviting them over for a really casual get-together. I could see the anxiety begin to reduce as we planned out the evening together.

When her friends arrived, the uncertainty that filled the air. A couple of familiar faces looked skeptical, but I could see a spark of curiosity behind their eyes.

Thanks for coming, everyone," Ava whispered softly. "I know this is really last minute, but we wanted to hang out and talk."

"Yeah, what's all this?" asked one friend, Sarah, crossing her arms over her chest, looking defensive.

"We just wanna share where we're at, period," Ava said, looking at me for support. "Mia and I have gone through so much lately, and I want you all to understand.".

What's there to understand? You're throwing your life away," another friend said with a hard edge to her tone.

"Ava, is that really what you want?" Sarah asked with her expression torn between concern and disbelief.

Ava took deep breaths, radiating strong resolve. "Yes, it is. I love Mia, and that's not going to change. I want to be honest with all of you.".

"I understand that you love her, but can't you see how this will impact your future?" Sarah exclaimed, her voice rising.

"That's the thing!" I cut in with my rising tension. "Ava has a right to make decisions for herself. We're both figuring all of this out together. This has nothing to do with selfish impulses."

The room fell silent as the glances passed between Ava's friends and me. I felt their judgement then, and I didn't back down.

"Ava has every right to love who she wants, and it's not for you to decide," I continued steadily. "We're both still figuring out who we are, and that includes our relationships."

Ava looked at me, her eyes brimming with appreciation. "I want you all to see that this is real," she said. "I'm not wasting my life-I'm choosing to be true to myself."

Sarah seemed to soften a bit, her expression changing. "But what about your parents? They're really upset, aren't they?

"They are mad because they don't get it," Ava said firmly. "But I won't let their fears dictate my happiness."

Jamie, one of her friends, chimed in: "Come on, Ava. We want you to be happy. But think about the long-term consequences."

"I think of them," Ava said, her voice growing. "And I want all of you to be a part of my life, but I don't change who I am for anyone."

Silence settled for just a moment- the weight of what she'd spoken hangs in the air. My breath locked inside of me, hoping they would see what I did: her truth.

But Sarah continued speaking, her voice a little softer, however: "Alright, I understand. It is your life, and you have to live it however you'd like it. I just want you safe."

"I know," Ava said, relief spilling over her body. "I need that from my friends."

As we crept over the topic of conversation, I could feel the tension waiving away between us. We laughed together and shared stories, the atmosphere transformed slowly.

By the end of the night, her friends did not approve of our relationship entirely, but I could see the walls beginning to crack. They were starting to realize that Ava's happiness mattered.
As the last of her friends bid their farewell, Ava turned to me, a mixture of exhaustion and hope on her face. "That went better than I expected.

"Yeah, it did," I said, grinning. "You were amazing. You stood up for yourself and shown them who you are."

"I couldn't have done it without you," she countered, nuzzling into my side. "Thank you for being my rock."

We stood there as the sun slowly disappeared below the horizon, both of our shoulders still carrying the burden of the world but at least now together we had something to hold onto. We stood firm against whatever lay ahead; ready to face anything that might come our way-in each other.