chapter 6 Crossroads of the Heart."

Angelo’s POV:

Setting: A bustling café on campus after class. Angelo sits at a small table, stirring his coffee absently, his thoughts elsewhere. Celeste is across from him, animatedly talking about her day, but he finds it hard to focus.

The café buzzed with the chatter of students, but all Angelo could hear was the pounding of his heart. Celeste sat across from him, her bright smile lighting up the dim space, but he felt a weight pressing down on his chest. Her laughter echoed in his ears, yet it felt distant, as if he were watching a scene unfold from a far-off place.

“Angelo? Are you even listening?” Celeste’s voice broke through his haze, snapping him back to reality.

“Yeah, sorry. I just… got lost in thought,” he admitted, forcing a smile. He tried to push away the nagging feeling of guilt that crept in.

Celeste’s eyes sparkled with curiosity. “You’ve been really distracted lately. Is something bothering you?”

He hesitated, contemplating whether to share his internal struggles with her. She deserved to know, but how could he explain the connection he felt with Briar? “It’s just school, you know? The project and everything,” he said, hoping it would suffice.

Celeste pouted slightly, crossing her arms. “You’re always so focused on school. I wish you’d share more with me. We’re supposed to be in this together, remember?”

Angelo’s heart sank. He wanted to be the boyfriend she needed, but lately, he felt like he was being pulled in two different directions. He cared for Celeste deeply; her short black hair, milky skin, and bright smile had drawn him in from the start. But there was an undeniable connection to Briar that was hard to ignore, one that made him question everything he thought he knew about himself.

“Yeah, I know. I just…” he began, searching for the right words. “Things have been different. There’s a lot going on.”

Celeste leaned in, her expression softening. “You can talk to me, you know. Whatever it is, I’m here for you.”

He took a deep breath, grappling with the weight of his feelings. He wanted to confide in her, to share the confusion swirling in his mind, but how could he explain that part of him felt alive around Briar, while he felt stifled with Celeste? “It’s just… I’ve been trying to figure things out for myself. My passions, my future. I feel like I’m on this journey, but I’m not sure where it’s taking me.”

Celeste’s brow furrowed in concern. “Are you saying you’re not happy? Because I thought we were doing well.”

“No, it’s not that. I just…” Angelo struggled to articulate his thoughts. “Sometimes I feel like I’m living up to expectations that aren’t really mine. It’s like I’m trying to fit into a mold that doesn’t suit me.”

She blinked, processing his words. “I get that. But you don’t have to do it alone. I want to support you, Angelo. I really do.”

Her sincerity tugged at his heart. He wanted to be the boyfriend she believed him to be, the one who shared his dreams and fears. But the more he thought about Briar, the more he questioned if he was being fair to either of them.

“Do you ever feel like there’s something more out there? Something you’re meant to do?” he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Celeste looked taken aback, her brow knitting in confusion. “I mean, sure, I have dreams, but they’re mostly about us. Building a future together. I thought we were on the same page.”

Angelo felt a pang of guilt. “I want that too, Celeste. I do. But I can’t shake this feeling that there’s more to my story, and I don’t know how to reconcile that with us.”

Celeste’s expression softened, but her eyes glimmered with hurt. “Are you saying I’m holding you back?”

“No, it’s not you! It’s me. I just need to figure things out. I need to understand what I really want.”

She sighed, her shoulders slumping slightly. “I don’t want you to feel trapped, Angelo. But I also want you to know that I’m here, and I care about you.”

He reached across the table, taking her hand in his. “I care about you too, Celeste. You mean a lot to me, but I feel this weight on my chest. I’m trying to be honest, but it’s hard.”

Silence settled between them, heavy with unspoken words. Angelo knew he had to face his feelings and figure out what he truly wanted. He couldn’t keep stringing Celeste along while he explored his connection with Briar. It wasn’t fair to either of them.

“Maybe we need to take a step back,” he suggested, his heart aching at the thought. “I need to focus on myself for a bit. To figure out who I am.”

Celeste’s gaze flickered with understanding, but also sadness. “If that’s what you think you need, I’ll support you. Just know that I’m here when you’re ready.”

Angelo nodded, feeling a mix of relief and dread. It was the right decision, but it felt like he was standing at the edge of a cliff, uncertain of what lay below.

As they finished their coffee in silence, he couldn’t shake the feeling that this was just the beginning of a complicated journey—one that would force him to confront his true self, his past, and the undeniable connection he felt with Briar.