Chapter 5 "Threads of Connection"

Angelo’s POV:

Setting: A quiet corner of the campus library, where Angelo and Briar have set up their project materials.

Angelo sat across from Briar, his heart racing as he watched her organize the scattered papers. There was something captivating about her, something that drew him in like a moth to a flame. The way her brow furrowed in concentration, the slight blush that colored her cheeks—it was all mesmerizing. He couldn’t shake the feeling that she was someone special, someone who understood him in ways others didn’t.

“Okay, so how do you want to start?” he asked, trying to keep his voice steady. He leaned back in his chair, feigning nonchalance while internally battling his nerves. The topic of identity was broad, but all he could think about was how much he wanted to know her, to unravel the layers that made up Briar.

“I guess we could explore how our past experiences shape who we are today,” she suggested, her eyes shining with enthusiasm. “Like, what made you who you are? What experiences do you think have defined your identity?”

Her question lingered in the air, and for a moment, he hesitated. How could he explain the pressure of his family’s expectations while still grappling with his passion for art and music? He ran a hand through his hair, the weight of his thoughts threatening to overwhelm him. “For me, it’s a mix of family expectations and my own passions. My parents want me to follow a certain path, but I’ve always been drawn to art and music. It’s hard to balance what they want with what I feel inside.”

Briar nodded, her expression understanding. “That’s relatable. I’ve felt that pressure too. But for me, it’s more about this emptiness I feel sometimes, like I’m trying to fill a void. It’s like I’m searching for something, but I can’t quite grasp it.”

His heart ached at her words. He had sensed her struggles, the hidden depths she carried beneath her cheerful exterior. “Do you think that something is tied to your past? Like, maybe your past life?” he asked, testing the waters.

Briar’s eyes widened, and he could see a flicker of vulnerability there. “I don’t know. Sometimes I feel these connections, these flashes of memories that don’t make sense. It’s confusing, and it makes me question who I really am. Am I just the sum of my past experiences, or is there more to me?”

Angelo felt a rush of empathy for her. “I think there’s definitely more to you. You’re not just what’s happened to you; you’re how you choose to respond to it. You’re brave, Briar. Facing the past takes courage.”

He watched as her cheeks flushed with gratitude. “Thank you, Angelo. I really needed to hear that.”

As they fell into a comfortable silence, he couldn’t help but reflect on how much he admired her. She had a way of making him feel alive, like he could be his true self without fear of judgment. The more they talked, the more he realized that he wanted to be a part of her journey of self-discovery.

“What about you?” she asked, breaking the silence. “What do you feel defines you? Besides art and music, I mean.”

Angelo hesitated, grappling with the weight of her question. “I think… I think I’m still trying to figure that out. There’s this part of me that feels tied to something greater, like there’s a purpose I haven’t discovered yet. Sometimes, I wonder if it’s connected to you.”

Briar’s expression shifted, and he felt his heart race. “Me?”

“Yeah,” he said, unable to hide the hope in his voice. “There’s this inexplicable pull I feel when I’m with you. It’s like you bring out parts of me I didn’t even know existed. It’s strange but… also comforting.”

Briar smiled, and in that moment, he felt a connection deepen between them. “Maybe we’re both on this journey of self-discovery together. Like, exploring who we were, who we are, and who we can become.”

“Exactly,” he agreed, feeling a surge of excitement. “We could use this project to dig deeper, not just academically but personally. What if we explored the concept of identity through the lens of our pasts and present?”

Briar nodded enthusiastically, her eyes lighting up with inspiration. “Yes! We could interview people, gather stories, and see how their identities have evolved. It could be an amazing exploration of what it means to be who we are.”

As they brainstormed ideas, Angelo felt the weight of his worries lift. Being with Briar made him feel grounded, as if they were uncovering pieces of themselves together. He had always feared the shadows of his past and the expectations that loomed over him, but now, he saw a flicker of hope. Maybe, with Briar by his side, he could discover who he truly was.