HOW TO HIDE YOUR BLUSHES

Episode 14

FINDING THE BALANCE

The days after that conversation with Aiden felt like a breath of fresh air. The weight that had hung over Eden for so long seemed to dissipate, replaced by a quiet sense of calm. She had stepped back from everything for a moment, giving herself the space to breathe without the constant pressure of expectations.

Her parents had noticed the shift. There was a certain gentleness in their voices now when they spoke to her. They didn’t bombard her with questions or offer unsolicited advice. It was as though they, too, had taken a step back and realized that the path they had envisioned for Eden wasn’t the only one worth walking.

In the weeks that followed, Eden found herself reconnecting with the things that had always brought her peace—long walks through the park, late nights spent with a book in hand, and quiet mornings with a cup of tea, staring out the window as the world slowly woke up. She wasn’t sure if it was the beginning of healing or simply the calm before the storm, but for the first time in a long while, Eden felt like she could hear herself think again.

One afternoon, as Eden sat in the library, absently flipping through pages of a book she had long since lost interest in, her phone buzzed on the table in front of her. She glanced at the screen and saw Aiden’s name flashing.

It had been a few days since their last conversation, and while things had been quiet between them, there was an unspoken understanding that they were both taking the time they needed to recalibrate.

Eden’s fingers hovered over the screen before she finally picked up the phone, pressing it to her ear.

“Hey,” she said softly, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips.

“Hey,” Aiden’s voice came through, warm and steady. “I was thinking about you today. I know things have been... complicated, but I wanted to check in. How are you doing?”

His words were simple, but they held a depth that she appreciated. There was no rush, no urgency in his tone—just a genuine desire to know how she was feeling.

“I’m doing better, actually,” Eden replied, her voice light but sincere. “I’ve been taking some time for myself. Just... trying to figure things out, you know? It’s been nice to just breathe for a little while.”

Aiden’s voice softened. “I’m glad. I think sometimes we forget how important it is to just take a step back. I’m here if you need anything, Eden. I mean that.”

The words settled into her chest like a gentle reassurance, and for the first time in weeks, she felt the weight in her heart lift just a little more. “Thanks, Aiden. That means a lot.”

They spent the next few minutes talking about small things—how his day had gone, what he’d been up to, and the latest gossip that circulated the halls of school. It was normal, easy, and that’s exactly what Eden needed.

Before they ended the call, Aiden’s voice grew a bit more serious. “Eden, I don’t want you to feel like you’re carrying everything alone. Whenever you’re ready, I’m here. No pressure, okay? Just... whenever you need someone.”

Her heart skipped a beat. “I know,” she said quietly. “And I appreciate that. I think... I think I just needed to hear it from you.”

The connection between them felt stronger in that moment. It was as if the distance that had grown between them was finally beginning to close, not in an instant, but through small steps of understanding and patience.

The next few days were a blur of activity as Eden began to find her footing once more. Her time in the library became more frequent, but now, she was actually enjoying her studies—something she hadn’t realized she’d missed until it was back in her life. She began writing again, not because she had to, but because she wanted to. Her thoughts flowed more freely onto the page, unburdened by the expectations of others.

One Friday afternoon, as Eden sat in her usual spot at the local café, her phone buzzed once more. It was a text from Aiden.

Aiden: "I’ve been thinking about something... Would you want to go to that art show next weekend? I know it’s not really your thing, but I thought it might be fun."

Eden smiled at the message, feeling a flicker of excitement in her chest. Art had never been something she’d thought about much, but the idea of spending time with Aiden—doing something out of the ordinary—felt like the perfect way to continue building their connection.

She quickly typed back.

Eden: "That sounds interesting, actually. I’d love to go. It’ll be a nice change of pace."

A few seconds later, Aiden’s response came through.

Aiden: "Great! I’ll pick you up next Saturday at noon, then. Looking forward to it."

As Eden stared at her phone, her heart swelled with a mixture of anticipation and gratitude. Aiden had a way of surprising her with simple, thoughtful gestures—things she didn’t expect but appreciated all the more because of it.

The following Saturday arrived with an unexpected chill in the air, but the sun still managed to break through the clouds, casting a soft glow on the city. Eden stood outside her house, wrapped in a cozy scarf, waiting for Aiden to pull up.

When he arrived, he was smiling—radiating an easygoing confidence that made Eden’s heart flutter. He got out of the car, walked up to her, and greeted her with a quick hug. There was something so comforting about his presence, something that made her feel like, despite everything, she had a place where she belonged.

“You ready for some culture?” Aiden asked with a teasing grin, opening the car door for her.

“Absolutely,” Eden replied, returning his smile. “I’m prepared to be amazed.”

The art show was held at a local gallery, a place Eden had passed by countless times but never thought to visit. As they walked through the entrance, she was immediately struck by the vibrant colors and intricate details of the paintings displayed on the walls. The artist’s style was bold and expressive, each piece telling a story that resonated deeply with her.

Aiden stayed close, occasionally pointing out pieces he thought might intrigue her, and their conversation flowed effortlessly from one artwork to the next. There was no pressure, no expectations—just the two of them, sharing in the experience together.

It wasn’t long before Eden found herself completely absorbed in the art, her earlier uncertainties melting away in the face of something so pure and raw. She found herself laughing at Aiden’s playful commentary on certain pieces, and before she knew it, hours had passed.

As they made their way toward the exit, Eden realized that she hadn’t once thought about the expectations weighing on her. In this moment, there was only the joy of being present with someone who cared for her.

“I’m glad we did this,” Eden said as they walked out into the cool evening air. “It was... exactly what I needed.”

Aiden smiled, his eyes warm. “I’m glad you had a good time. You know, you don’t always have to have everything figured out. Sometimes, the best things in life happen when we just... let go."

That evening, as Eden lay in bed, she thought about how far she had come since the competition. The uncertainty was still there, lingering like a shadow, but she no longer felt like it was consuming her. With Aiden, with her family, and with herself, she was beginning to understand that life wasn’t about meeting everyone else’s expectations. It was about finding the balance between being true to herself and allowing space for others to be a part of her journey.

She didn’t have all the answers, and maybe she never would, but for the first time in a long while, Eden felt like she was on the right path.

And that, she realized, was enough.