he anticipation inside was so thick that I left almost with only one regret-only for the confrontation with Jess. I had no idea what to expect from the conversation, but I knew it could either build the much-needed bridge we were trying to create or tear apart even more what was already fragmented. I saw her sitting in a small table in the corner of a pretty quiet café, where Ava and I had shared so many moments.
"Hey," I said, taking my seat across from her.
Hey," Jess said, her voice low. She looked different, quieter than I recalled. "Thanks for agreeing to meet."
"Of course," I said. "I just figured it could help to talk." I attempted to get a read on her emotional state. "How have you been?"
Jess let out a breath and ran a hand through her hair. "It's been tough. I didn't think things would get as bad as they did. I thought we were all friends.".
"We can still be," I said, my heart pounding. "But it's going to take some work."
She nodded slowly, her eyes flickering with uncertainty. "I have been thinking a lot about everything- about you and Ava, about me. I guess I didn't handle it well when you two got together."
I took a deep breath, mixed feelings of sympathy and frustration. "I know it's been really tough for you. But it isn't fair that you placed all of that on Ava. She is trying to find her way, just as the rest of us are.".
"I know, I just...," Jess said, her voice cracking. "I felt like I lost my best friend. It hurt to see you two together, especially after everything we went through."
"I didn't want to hurt you," I said, the ache in my chest talking. "But I couldn't ignore my feelings for Ava. It felt right, and I wanted to be honest about that."
Jess looked at me, but I could see something moving in her face this time. "I mean, really, I guess maybe I'm jealous. It's not like it's just that I don't want to lose you, but somehow I am losing myself at the same time."
"That makes sense," I said softly. "But we can work out the way we'll support each other through this. We're still friends, right?
She looked up at me with shining eyes filled with unshed tears. "I want that," she said, "but I'm afraid of what it'll mean for us. I don't want to be angry any longer."
"Not me either," I said, reaching across the table to take her hand. "We can't let this tear us apart. Let's be honest about how we feel, even if it's uncomfortable.".
Jess breathed choppy air. "I don't want to fight anymore. I want to understand."
I nodded in relief. "Then let's work on it together. Maybe we can be there for Ava too, and help her navigate all of the pressure from her parents and friends.".
I felt the space between us begin to unwind as we spoke. I hadn't expected Jess to open up so much, and for the first time, it was okay to let whatever was in our heads come out.
"Thanks for listening," Jess said now, sounding stronger. "I realized that I need to be focused on my own path too. I can't keep trying to control things."
Exactly," I said, smiling at him. "You need to find what makes you happy as much as Ava and I do."
We spent the rest of the afternoon talking and laughing while rediscovering the bond between us that once seemed so strong. By the time we parted ways, I felt almost hopeful again for the first time in such a long time. Maybe we could weather this storm after all.

YOU ARE READING
Between Two Worlds
Teen FictionIn a society where love is dictated by rules and expectations, Mia and Ava find themselves caught in a beautiful yet forbidden romance. Both strong-willed and passionate, they share a deep connection that transcends friendship, but the judgmental wo...