A Love Reclaimed

When I first saw Jack Ellison, my heart shifted on its axis, as his laughter and smile resounded through the crowded hallway, attracting my gaze like a magnet. Both of our eyes met, and my heartbeat stood still. I never knew this encounter would set the course of my entire life.

I was the quiet art student, Emma Thompson, who blended into the background. Jack is very confident, charismatic, and well-known. My heart beat so fast as he walked towards me, fumbling with my sketch note almost dropping it. "You must be in my English class, right?" I am Jack, his voice sounding warm and inviting.

I nodded and tried to be plain to him, "Emma," I squeaked out. He looked at my sketch note. "You are always doodling in class, demanding to look at my sketch.

Without hesitation, I handed it over to him, expecting the usual dismissive comments, I was so used to. With genuine interest, Jack flipped through the pages, eyes widening. "Wow, you must have real talent, Emma."

For the first time, I felt a spark of warmth through me, I couldn't just imagine someone seeing beyond me externally to recognize something special in me despite my shyness.

At that moment, we started an unexpected friendship, spending more time together, both in class and during lunch breaks. Seeking me out in the art room, and watching as I worked on my latest work, while we kept on talking about nothing else, but everything.

On a particular afternoon, as the golden sunlight shone through the windows, Jack was perching on a stool next to my easel. Calling me by my nickname Em, as he said, never have I met or seen anyone quite like you before. "What do you mean?" as I paused, my painting brush hovering over the canvas.

The world is different, he said leaning in an intense gaze. "Beauty is found in places that people overlook, I see everything livelier and more vibrant when I am with you." Hmm, my cheek flushed ducking my head while focusing on my painting, "I am nothing special, Jack, and not like you."

Forcing me to look into his eyes, gently, he tilted my chin. "You are more than extraordinary, please don't say that again, I wish you could see yourself just the way I see you."

Immediately, he said that something shifted between us, air crackling with unspoken feelings soaked in emotions, lost in the depths of his eyes, and before I knew it, Jack leaned in and pressed his lips to mine. It was a soft kiss, tentative with promise in it. As we pulled apart, I saw myself reflecting on Jack's expression. "For weeks I have wanted to do that," I must confess, a shy smile all over his lips.

From that day forward, Jack and I became inseparable, navigating the entire high school, supporting each other, and looking toward our dreams, he encouraged me in my art, and I encouraged him to look beyond his family's expectations required from him.

Graduation was far approaching, and facing the daunting prospect of college, I was terrified because of being separated from Jack, but he had other plans. He suggested to me that we should apply to the same school, as we sat down one evening on the hood of his car, gazing at the sunset. "You know what, Em, I just cannot imagine not having you by my side."

Just at his words, my heart soared. "Are you sure, pulling away doubt in my mind? I would not want to hold you back; your family wants to attend some Ivy League school. "Intertwining our fingers, you could never hold me back, Emma, Jack said. I feel much better every day you push me, there are lots of great business programs there with amazing art departments. We can both settle for the best of our worlds."

Jack was so optimistic, and I believed him, daring with hope for a future of chasing our dreams together.

It was a whirlwind of emotions the day our acceptance letters arrived. Both of us were sitting on the front of my porch, with a pile of envelopes between us, heart pounding with lots of anticipation. "Together?" Jack asked while holding an envelope, and I nodded, taking a deep breath. "Together."

We tore into the letters, with matching grins spread across our faces, and as we read, we had both been accepted into our top choice university, one of the most prestigious universities ever known for business and art programs.

"Whoop." With joy, Jack pulled me into a tight embrace. "Em! We did it. Can't believe it, that means four more years together, the sky is our limit."

I buried my face in his chest, inhaling his familiar scent, with lots of excitement and trepidation all over me, looking towards a new chapter to be embarked on our lives for an endless future of possibilities, but little did I feel and foresee the challenges it also held.

As we celebrated with our families that night, I watched Jack filling the whole room with his charming smiles and quick wit. I saw him fitting seamlessly into the world of success and ambition. Would I ever truly belong to his side?

Sensing my unease, Jack pulled me aside and led me to the balcony, where we could both have a moment alone. Tucking a strand of hair behind my ear, he quickly asked, "What is going on in that beautiful mind of yours?" I am just overwhelmed, I answered, not wanting to dampen the joy of the evening.

"Furrowed with concern, Jack said to her, please talk to me, Em, and whatever it is, we will face it together." I voiced out the fear that had been gnawing at me. "Jack, your world is so different from mine, what if I am not enough, and what if I can't keep up?"

With an unwavering and intense gaze, Jack cupped my face in his hand. "Listen to me, Emma Thompson, you are more than enough, and everything to me, I mean we are now a team, and nothing, not even college or my family can change it. Em, I love you so much and I believe in us."

Like a bomb, his words washed over me, fitting into my insecurities, and as I looked into his eyes, I could see our future reflecting inside of it, vitally clear, full of promise, and brimming with love.

I leaned in to kiss him to seal our commitment to each other when I heard a very little voice at the back of my mind whispering and asking a question that would haunt me shortly: What if love isn't enough?

Losing myself in Jack's embrace, I pushed the thought away. The world around us vanished, and for a moment, everything felt impeccable.

We were having a quiet blissful moment when the balcony door burst open, and I saw an imposing figure silhouetted against the warm light from inside, Jack's father, Richard Ellison, stood there, his eyes narrowed as he took in our intimate posture. "Hey Jack," his voice clipped. "A word, please."

Jack squeezed my hand reassuring me, and then followed his father inside. I hugged myself against the sudden chill, while I strained my ear to hear their conversation, via the partial pen door. "Son, what do you think you are doing?" He asked, his tone low and sharp.

Jack replied I am celebrating with my girlfriend, his voice sounding defiant.

"Girlfriend? Richard scoffed. You are just about to start college, Jack. I advised you to focus on your future, and not waste your time on some high school fling."

At the hearing of Richard's words, my heart clenched. Is that all they see me as? A fling?

"Dad, Emma is not a fling," Jack insisted. "I love her, and together, we are both going to college."

At that moment, there was an intense silence before Richard spoke again. "What about after college? You have a life to lead. How does she fit into our world?"

As tears began pricking my eyes, I just confirmed my insecurities, all my fears, I don't belong to Jack's world, by his father's harsh words. "That is not fair Dad," Jack protested. "Emma is very talented and smart."

"She will distract you," Richard cut him off. If you know you want to take your position in this family legacy, you better grow up, Jack, and make the right choice."

Because I couldn't bear hearing it anymore, I quietly slipped back into the party, my mind reeling, and as I managed my way through the crowd, I felt like an imposter. All laughs and glances in my direction made me believe that I didn't belong.

In front of a large mirror in the hallway I found myself, with my reflection staring back at me, wide eye open and so pale, and at that instance, I saw myself as being a very simple girl, from a modest background, woefully not fitting in the world of wealth and ambition in Richard's eyes.

Jack had earlier echoed his words in my mind that we are a team with promises of love, and nothing can change it, but now, life seems so foreign to me, and I wonder if that was true. With our love for each other, could we bridge the gap between our worlds? Are we just two kids clinging in fantasy, but in the face of reality destined to crumble?

As I heard the sound of approaching footsteps, I snapped out of my spiraling thought. In one turn, I saw Jack striding towards me, all set in determination. "Emma," reaching for my hand. "We need to talk." My heart beat fast, looking at his face wanting to find any clue about what must have transpired between him and his father. Has he realized I wasn't worth the trouble?

Away from prying eyes and ears, Jack led me to a quiet corner of the house, as he took a deep breath, "Em it is important that I need to ask you something," waiting for the worst I nodded, thinking of what to speak. Unwaveringly, Jack's gaze locked with mine as he began, "I know we are young, and this may look crazy, but..." He paused, "Emma Thompson, will you... "

Suddenly, from the main room, the sound of breaking glass and a raised voice shattered the entire moment. With an exchange of confusion, Jack and I rushed toward the source of the eruption, and as we rounded the corner, we stopped by the scene that greeted us. Just at the center of the room stood Richard Ellison, full of hangers all over his face, as he pointed an accusing finger towards a familiar figure.

I had a cold in my blood, as I saw my mother standing defiantly before Richard Ellison, her eyes so blaze with fury I had not seen before.

"What have you come to do here?" Richard snarled.

But my mother's reply sent an explosion through the whole room, as she threatened to expose everything I knew about my life.

"Shooting back as she said," "I have every right to be here." After all, I am- "