Tackling the Canvas

Chapter 22

Nora:

Winter break always flies by way too fast, and this one was no exception. Italy felt like a whirlwind—a dream I could barely hold onto before being whisked back into reality. The cozy villa, Alessandro's intense but polite curiosity, the nights exploring hidden markets, and all those quiet moments with Owen—they were memories I wanted to wrap myself in, to keep a little closer, even as they started to fade.

By the time we returned to Canada, everything felt both familiar and different. Oscar had already headed back to Australia, leaving behind one of his classic quick texts: a half-hearted goodbye and a promise to return soon. Typical Oscar—never one for grand gestures but always making sure we knew he'd be back. I found myself missing his presence here more than I'd expected; he'd somehow wedged himself into our world, and it felt emptier without him.

Settling back into college life was surreal. Classes, late-night study sessions, and hockey practice with Owen—everything resumed as if the Italian holiday had been a brief intermission. But Italy still lingered in my mind, the memories stubbornly hanging on, as if refusing to let go. I tried to savor those moments, to keep the warmth of that break close, even as the relentless pace of school life pulled me back in.

One thing I couldn't ignore was how off Sofia looked since we got back. She seemed... hollow, almost like someone had drained the light out of her. I don't know what the hell happened while we were in Italy, but whatever it was seemed to have left a mark on her, and not in a good way.

She still smiled, still laughed at Owen's jokes, and still chatted with me about little things. But it all felt mechanical, like she was just going through the motions. Her laughter lacked its usual spark, and the bright enthusiasm that usually lit up her face was dimmed. Whenever I asked if she was okay, she'd just wave it off, saying she was tired or busy. But it was more than that; something about her had shifted, and I couldn't shake the feeling that whatever it was, it had cut deep.

Owen noticed too. I'd catch him glancing at her with a worried frown, and whenever she looked away, he'd give me that questioning look, like he was waiting for me to make sense of it. But I didn't have any answers either. All I knew was that something had happened while we were away, something she wasn't ready to talk about—and I wasn't sure she ever would be.

_____

I leaned in, narrowing my eyes. "What happened while we were in Italy, Oscar? Something's definitely up with Sofia."

He sighed, scratching the back of his neck, clearly uncomfortable. "Look, it's... complicated. And I don't think it's really my place to get into all of it."

I crossed my arms, not buying it. "Come on, Oscar. She's not herself, and it's obviously linked to you somehow."

He held up his hands, looking a bit defensive. "Nora, things just got... mixed up, alright? Sometimes people assume things and..." He trailed off, shaking his head. "I just don't want to make it worse. She'll be fine. Give her time."

I squinted at him through the screen, not letting him off the hook that easily. "Oscar, don't give me that 'it's complicated' nonsense. I can tell this is on you."

Leaning back, clearly uncomfortable, running a hand through his hair, replied, "Nora, really, it's... Look, it's just better if I don't get into it. I don't want to make things worse."

I raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "You already did, apparently. Oscar, she's been acting off since we got back. You can't just sit there and pretend it's not your responsibility."

He let out a long sigh, looking down. "I didn't mean for it to be like this, alright? Just... She'll be okay."

I shook my head, frustrated. "I just don't get why you can't be upfront about it. Fine, whatever. But don't think this conversation's over."