HOW TO HIDE YOUR BLUSHES

Episode 15

THE WEIGHT OF THE HEART

The weeks following the art show passed in a blur of ordinary moments. Eden found herself in a comfortable rhythm, balancing schoolwork with time spent with Aiden. Each interaction, each quiet conversation felt like a step forward, but with every step, there was an undeniable pull in her chest—a sense of unease that she couldn’t quite shake.

It wasn’t that things between them were bad—quite the opposite, in fact. Aiden had been more patient and understanding than she could have ever hoped for. But the weight of her future, the expectations that still loomed over her like a dark cloud, seemed to grow heavier with each passing day. It was as if the closer she got to Aiden, the more she felt torn between two worlds—the one she wanted and the one everyone else expected her to live.

Every time she thought about her parents’ dreams for her, she felt suffocated. The weight of their ambitions for her future was a constant pressure, something that seemed inescapable no matter how much she tried to distance herself from it.

Aiden, on the other hand, was a reminder of everything she longed for. He was a reflection of the freedom she craved, the space to simply be. But as she allowed herself to lean into the connection they shared, the uncertainty only deepened. Could she truly embrace a future with him, knowing that her family would never understand? Could she defy the path they had planned for her, even if it meant risking the relationship with the one person who made her feel alive?

Eden often found herself lost in these thoughts, questioning what it would mean for her to choose happiness over obligation.

One afternoon, after school, Eden and Aiden found themselves sitting together on the steps of the old library. The sun hung low in the sky, casting a warm glow over everything, but the chill in the air was undeniable. Despite the beautiful weather, there was an underlying tension in Eden’s chest—a knot she couldn’t seem to undo.

Aiden, ever perceptive, had noticed the shift in her mood over the past few days. He didn’t say anything at first, allowing her the space to speak if she wanted to. But today, he couldn’t ignore it any longer.

“Eden,” he began, his voice soft but firm, “I know something’s been bothering you. You’ve been distant lately. Talk to me. What’s going on?”

Eden hesitated, unsure of where to begin. She had never been good at talking about her feelings—especially when it came to the complicated mess of her family’s expectations, her dreams, and the future she wasn’t sure she was ready for.

“I don’t know how to make sense of all this,” Eden finally admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. “I’ve been thinking about... about everything. About us. About my future. I feel like I’m being pulled in two directions, and I don’t know what to do.”

Aiden sat down beside her, not pressing her for answers but offering his silent support. He understood that sometimes, all it took was someone to listen.

“I’m not sure I can live up to everyone’s expectations,” Eden continued, her gaze fixed on the ground. “They’ve always had this plan for me, this idea of what my life should be. And now I’m here, with you, and I want to follow my own path, but I don’t know how to break free from what they want for me. And I don’t want to lose you in the process.”

Aiden’s heart ached as he listened to her, the vulnerability in her words making it clear just how much she was struggling. But instead of offering empty reassurances, he said something that surprised her.

“Eden, you don’t have to have it all figured out right now. No one has everything figured out, not even me. But I do know this—you don’t have to choose between us. Not if you don’t want to.”

Eden’s heart skipped a beat, and for the first time in days, she met his gaze. His eyes were full of sincerity, his expression open and understanding. It was a look that made her feel seen, truly seen, in a way she hadn’t in a long time.

“I’m not going anywhere,” Aiden added gently. “I’m here for you. Whatever you decide, whatever path you take, I’ll support you. I want you to be happy, Eden. That’s all that matters.”

The words were simple, but they carried a weight that Eden wasn’t sure she could carry on her own. She had spent so much of her life trying to please others, trying to live up to expectations, that the thought of choosing her own happiness felt foreign. But as she looked at Aiden, she realized that maybe, just maybe, it was time to start listening to her own heart.

“I don’t want to let you go, Aiden,” she whispered, her voice trembling. “I just don’t know how to balance everything.”

Aiden took her hand in his, his touch warm and grounding. “We’ll figure it out, okay? One step at a time.”

For the first time in what felt like forever, Eden felt like she wasn’t alone in her struggles. She didn’t have to carry the weight of her family’s expectations or the fear of the future on her own. With Aiden by her side, maybe—just maybe—she could find a way to navigate this difficult road.

The following days were a blur of emotions. Eden found herself torn between the different pieces of her life—her family, her friends, and Aiden. Each person wanted something from her, and the pressure was beginning to take its toll.

At home, her parents continued to push her toward the future they had envisioned. Her mother had been discussing possible career paths for her, none of which lined up with Eden’s own desires. Every conversation with them felt more suffocating than the last, each word weighing heavier than the last.

But it wasn’t just her family that added to her anxiety. Her friends had begun to notice the shift in her mood as well. They had always been supportive, but lately, Eden felt like she was losing touch with them too. It was as if she was drifting away from everyone and everything, and it was a feeling she couldn’t escape.

One night, after a particularly tense dinner with her parents, Eden found herself pacing in her room, her mind racing. The pressure was unbearable. It felt like everything was crashing down on her, and she had no idea how to stop it.

A knock at the door broke her thoughts. She wiped her eyes quickly, not wanting anyone to see the tears she had tried so hard to hold back. When she opened the door, Aiden stood there, concern etched on his face.

“Can I come in?” he asked gently.

Eden nodded, stepping aside to let him in. She didn’t have to say anything; he could see the exhaustion in her eyes. He sat down beside her on the bed, offering her the comfort of his presence without needing to ask anything.

“I don’t know what to do anymore, Aiden,” Eden confessed, her voice raw. “It feels like I’m suffocating, like I’m being pulled in so many different directions that I don’t know how to breathe. I’m scared I’m going to lose everything. My future, my family, you...”

Aiden took her hand again, holding it firmly in his. “You’re not going to lose me, Eden. I’m not going anywhere. I’m here for the long haul. But you need to take care of yourself too. You don’t have to carry everything on your own.”

Eden looked at him, her eyes filled with uncertainty. “But how? How do I break free from all of this?”

Aiden’s gaze softened. “You take it one step at a time. Start with what feels right. Listen to your heart. And if you ever need someone to lean on, I’ll be here. We’ll figure it out together.”

The words settled into her heart, like a balm on a wound that had been festering for far too long. Maybe, just maybe, she could find a way to live for herself—and with Aiden by her side, she knew that she wouldn’t have to face it alone.