HOW TO HIDE YOUR BLUSHES

Episode 16

FINDING HER OWN PATH

Eden woke up the next morning with a lingering heaviness in her chest, but there was something different today. The weight didn’t feel as suffocating, and there was a small flicker of hope within her. She had spent the night tossing and turning, but one thought had kept her up through the quiet hours: she had a choice.

It wasn’t easy to let go of the expectations her family had for her, the pressure of a future she didn’t choose. But after her conversation with Aiden, after the tenderness and honesty in his words, something inside her had shifted. She realized that she didn’t have to sacrifice her happiness for the sake of others. And maybe—just maybe—she could have both.

Today would be the first step in reclaiming her own path.

As much as Eden wanted to avoid the inevitable confrontation with her parents, she knew it was something she couldn’t put off any longer. The idea of confronting them terrified her, but staying silent would only lead to more resentment.

That afternoon, after school, she found her mother in the kitchen, preparing dinner. Eden hesitated at the doorway, watching her mother move around the kitchen with the ease of someone who had done this routine a thousand times. Her mother was everything Eden had always admired—strong, capable, and determined. But she was also someone who had her own vision of Eden’s future, and that vision didn’t align with Eden’s dreams.

“Mom?” Eden’s voice was hesitant, almost unsure of how to begin.

Her mother turned, wiping her hands on a dish towel. “Yes, sweetheart? You need help with something?”

Eden took a deep breath. “I need to talk to you. About… about my future.”

Her mother’s expression softened. “Of course, darling. What’s on your mind?”

Eden stepped into the kitchen, taking a seat at the table. Her heart pounded in her chest, but she knew she couldn’t shy away from this conversation anymore.

“I’ve been thinking a lot about what I want to do with my life,” Eden began. “And I’ve realized that I want to take a different path from what you and Dad have envisioned for me.”

Her mother paused, a flicker of surprise crossing her face, but she said nothing. Eden pushed forward, knowing that if she didn’t speak now, she might never find the courage again.

“I don’t want to follow a path that isn’t my own,” Eden continued, her voice gaining strength. “I appreciate everything you and Dad have done for me, but I have my own dreams. I want to pursue art. I want to follow my heart, not someone else’s plan.”

There was a long silence. Eden held her breath, waiting for her mother’s response, fearing the disappointment that might come.

Finally, her mother sighed and set down the towel. “I’ve always wanted what’s best for you, Eden. But you’ve never really expressed any interest in pursuing art before. Your father and I just thought… we thought you would be more comfortable in a field with stability.”

Eden nodded, trying to understand her mother’s perspective. “I know. And I know you both want what’s best for me. But I can’t keep pretending I want something I don’t. I need to follow what feels right for me.”

Her mother studied her for a long moment, her face unreadable. Then, to Eden’s surprise, she reached out and placed a hand on hers.

“I may not understand it completely,” her mother said softly, “but I can see how much this means to you. I just want you to be happy, Eden. If this is what makes you happy, then I’ll support you. But remember, life won’t always be easy. It won’t be a straight path.”

Eden felt a sense of relief wash over her, though she knew the road ahead wouldn’t be simple. It was a start, at least—a small step toward the future she wanted.

In the weeks that followed, Eden began to find the courage to make decisions for herself. Her relationship with Aiden had grown deeper, their bond more unbreakable with each passing day. But it wasn’t just about Aiden anymore—Eden realized that her happiness didn’t solely depend on him. It was about finding balance, carving out a life that felt true to herself.

One of the first things she did was reach out to her friends, who had noticed her distance over the past few months. Eden was nervous, unsure of how they would react to her newfound resolve, but she couldn’t hide from them forever.

One afternoon, she invited the group to meet at their favorite coffee shop, a cozy corner café that had been their hangout spot since freshman year. The moment she walked in, she was greeted by familiar faces and a warmth that reminded her of the carefree days before everything had gotten complicated.

“You’re finally back!” Lily, one of Eden’s best friends, exclaimed, pulling her into a tight hug.

Eden laughed, a little embarrassed by the attention. “I didn’t realize I’d been gone so long.”

“You have been,” another friend, Marissa, said with a teasing smile. “But it’s okay. We get it. Life’s been busy.”

The group settled into their usual booth, and for the first time in what felt like forever, Eden felt like she was exactly where she was supposed to be. They laughed, they joked, and they caught up on everything that had happened since their last hangout. It was as if the time and distance hadn’t mattered at all.

As the conversation turned to future plans, Eden felt a pang of guilt. She had always kept her ambitions hidden from her friends, afraid that they would think she was too different from them. But now, she realized how important it was to be honest about who she was.

“I have something to tell you guys,” Eden began, her voice tentative but growing stronger with each word. “I’ve decided to pursue art. I’m not going to follow the path everyone expects me to take. I’m going to do what makes me happy.”

Her friends looked at her, surprise written across their faces, but there was no judgment—just understanding.

“Eden, that’s amazing!” Lily said, her eyes bright with excitement. “I knew you had it in you.”

Marissa smiled warmly. “You’ve always been so creative. It’s about time you embraced it.”

Eden felt a wave of gratitude for her friends. They were the ones who had known her longest, who had been there through the ups and downs, and now, they were here, supporting her as she took the first steps toward her future.

Later that evening, after the meeting with her friends, Eden found herself walking beside Aiden along the park trail. The air was cool, the sky painted in hues of orange and pink as the sun began to set. It was their favorite time of day, when everything felt quiet and still, and they could be themselves without the weight of the world pressing down on them.

“I talked to my mom today,” Eden said quietly, glancing at him. “She’s… she’s willing to support me. I think she finally understands.”

Aiden smiled, the pride in his eyes making Eden’s heart flutter. “I’m so proud of you, Eden. You’ve taken the first step. It’s not going to be easy, but I believe in you.”

Eden paused, her thoughts swirling. “I couldn’t have done it without you, Aiden. You’ve been my strength through all of this. I’m not sure I would’ve had the courage to stand up for myself if it weren’t for you.”

Aiden stopped walking and turned to face her, his expression serious. “You’ve always had the strength, Eden. You just needed to realize it.”

She met his gaze, her heart swelling with a mixture of love and gratitude. She knew, in that moment, that she had made the right decision. She had chosen to follow her own path—and with Aiden by her side, she knew that anything was possible.

Eden had no idea where the road ahead would take her, but for the first time in a long time, she felt at peace with the unknown. The pressure, the uncertainty, and the expectations of others no longer felt like burdens. They were merely obstacles to overcome, and with each step she took, she felt stronger.

She didn’t have all the answers. She didn’t know what her future would look like. But she did know one thing—she was no longer afraid to choose her own path.

And as she walked alongside Aiden, hand in hand, she realized that no matter where life led her, she would always have the strength to face it. After all, her journey was just beginning.