Adrean And Elara : Shades Of Destiny | Og

Chapter 11: Fracture Choices

Elara walked home, the excitement from her night at the arcade with Ethan still buzzing in her veins. The laughter and carefree moments had momentarily lifted her spirits, but now, as she stepped into her apartment, the weight of her unspoken feelings for Adrean settled back in.

Just as she sank into her couch, her phone buzzed with two messages arriving almost simultaneously. She glanced at the screen, her heart racing.

Adrean: "Hey, Elara! I’m hosting an artist gathering this Saturday. It would mean a lot to have you there to support me. You in?"

Ethan: "Hey! Let’s hit the amusement park this weekend! I promise it’ll be a blast!"

Elara stared at the screen, torn between two enticing options. Before she could ponder her decision, another message popped up from Luca.

Luca: "Wow, tough choices! The brooding artist or the thrill-seeker? I’m in for the fun, whichever you choose!"

Elara furrowed her brow. How did Luca know about her conversations? They hadn’t spoken directly since the gallery. She quickly fired off a text.

Elara: "How do you know about both invites?"

Luca: "Let’s just say I have my ways. I have my ears to the ground. Plus, you know I’m always watching out for you!"

She chuckled at his mysterious tone but felt a slight unease. “Watching out for me?” she murmured to herself. Luca had always had an uncanny knack for showing up at the right moments, often with just the right words.

Her phone rang, and it was Ethan. “Hey! So, what are we thinking? The amusement park sounds way more fun than an art critique, right?”

“Hey, Ethan! I got your message, and it sounds amazing, but…” She hesitated, glancing at Adrean’s message. “Adrean invited me to his gathering, too.”

“Ah, the brooding artist!” Ethan replied with a playful lilt. “Tough choice, but I promise you roller coasters and cotton candy will outshine art critiques any day!”

Elara laughed, appreciating his enthusiasm. “I don’t want to let Adrean down. He really wants me there.”

“Look, you can always catch up with Adrean later. This is about you having fun! Plus, I’ll make sure we have an outrageous day. I might even wear a ridiculous hat!”

Just then, another message from Luca appeared.

Luca: "You should definitely take a million selfies. I want to see you screaming on a roller coaster or pretending to be deep and philosophical at the gathering!"

Elara couldn’t help but smile at his upbeat nature. “Okay, I’ll think about it,” she texted back, trying to weigh her options.

“Don’t make me guilt you into it,” Ethan said playfully, his voice on the line pulling her back to the moment. “How about this: if you decide to go to the gathering, I’ll just have to bring my A-game next time.”

Elara felt a warmth spread through her as she realized how much she enjoyed Ethan's company. “I appreciate it. I’ll figure it out.”

After hanging up, she felt a mix of excitement and anxiety. Just then, Luca texted again.

Luca: "Just remember, Elara, no matter what you choose, you’re the one who makes the night special. Don’t let anyone dim your light."

There was something in his tone that sent a shiver down her spine. He always seemed to know just what to say. But how did he know about her struggles?