HEART'S COMPLEXITIES.

CHAPTER 12:TOO EARLY TO GO 2.

...

Leah smiled softly,"I'll be downstairs" she said and excused herself.

Brittany remained seated on the edge of the tub for a long while, the towel wrapped tightly around her waist, her back pressed against the cold tiles. The pain in her stomach came in dull waves now, less sharp.

She stared at the floor, listening to the faint clinks and sounds downstairs — the gentle music playing in the background, footsteps moving with purpose,she felt oddly satisfied.

It was strange how quickly her life had shifted.

Barely twenty-four hours ago, she had literally nothing to worry about.Now she was sitting in the house of the one person she had so badly wanted for years,wondering if the sudden distance would affrct the relationship they had just started,preparing to fly out of the country the next day, her heart tangled in a connection she didn’t fully understand yet.

She exhaled slowly.

You’re allowed to take space, she reminded herself.

When she finally stood, cleaned up, and changed into fresh clothes, she caught her reflection again. The girl in the mirror looked steadier than she felt — composed on the outside, messy underneath. She tied her hair back again, took one last breath, and opened the bathroom door.

Leah was waiting in the hallway.

She wasn’t smiling this time.

Instead, she leaned casually against the wall, arms crossed, looking down at her phone with all seriousness.

Her eyes soon quickly saw Brittany’s face,she smiled instantly,her eyes flickerd with something close to concern — real concern, not teasing, not control. Brittany paused instinctively.

“You okay?” Leah asked quietly.

Brittany nodded. “Yeah. I just… needed a minute.”

Leah stepped aside without comment, giving her room to pass.

Downstairs, a mug of brown sugar tea sat on the coffee table, steam curling upward. Brittany wrapped her hands around it once she sat, letting the warmth seep into her palms.

“Your flight’s booked,” Leah said after a moment. “Morning. Direct.”

Brittany looked up. “I didn’t say yes.”

“I know.” Leah met her gaze calmly. “I booked it anyway. You can decide whether to use it.”

That unsettled Brittany more than if Leah had insisted.

“You don’t act according to others wishes" she said suddenly

“And why should i?” Leah replied.

Brittany stared into the tea, watching the surface ripple slightly. “You make things feel… inevitable.”

Leah chuckled softly. “Only because some things actually are.”

Brittany didn't respond,just smiled lightly.

"Well,I have some things to attend to at school" Brittany said,staring at Leah

"Really? Let me drive you there" Leah suggested but

Brittany knew that she was basically in no position to refute.

"Alright"

Leah got up,put her laptop aside,grabbed her keys and bent over to lift Brittany up.

"What are you doing?" Brittany asked as she was easily carried by Leah

"Your stomach hurts,relax" Leah said as she headed for the door with Brittany in her arms.

She didn't respond,just buried her face in Leah's chest as she let her carry her.

Getting to the car,Leah fastened her seatbelt,Brittany doing the same.

She sped off,heading to their school that was quite far from where they were.

In the car,they talked — about the city Brittany would be moving to, about the firm, about law school nightmares and office hierarchies. Leah listened more than she spoke, occasionally offering sharp insights that made Brittany wonder how much power Leah truly held beyond what she casually revealed.

Soon,they got to the school.

Leah was suddenly hesitant to let her go even for a second.

Brittany noticed this and smiled lightly

"I guess I really did misjudge you" Brittany said as she turned to open the door.

Leah grabbed her arm,stopping her from doing so,she looked at her,her eyes focused on Brittany's lips,she leaned in to kiss her,holding her chin.It was a soft kiss,one that wasn't needy,not hungry.

Leah pulled away slowly,looking at Brittany with one hand still on her chin,she ruffled Brittany's hair with the other and smiled sweetly.

"Get some painkillers and call me once you're done,I'll take you home" Leah said,her voice filled with love and gentleness

Brittany felt warm inside as she looked at Leah who was still smiling at her.

"I love you" Brittany said and hurried off,leaving Leah stunned as she sat in the car,replaying Brittany's words,she finally chuckled softly as she watched Brittany's retreating back.

......

Leah drove off,heading to her own department as she increased the volume of the song playing,she sang along,her heart filled with joy.

*buzz buzz*

Her phone vibrated,she looked down at it and frowned slightly upon seeing the caller's name.

She turned down the music a little and answered the call.

"Hello" she said,not sounding the least bit friendly

"Good day ma'am" The voice of a young man could be heard as he greeted respectfully.

He was her assistant so naturally,he called to inform her about work

"What's the matter?" she asked

"Uhh you have a meeting now,I thought you knew" The man said,sounding scared.

"I do?" Leah asked,much to his surprise.

Leah never had the habit of forgetting important things,especially things that were related to work so it was a surprise that she had forgotten the meeting.

"I'll be there" She replied

"Okay ma'm" he said,not hanging up as he wasn't told to

"Get me a nice apartment in Florida,one close to Jones Day firm" She instructed

"Are you going on a trip,ma?" he asked,puzzled

"I'm not" she replied

"Uh okay then" He didn't probe further for fear of annoying her

"Oh and get me a car there also"

"Not too flashy" she added

Now,he was even more confused

"Uh are you relocating?" he asked

"I'm not" She replied,sounding slightly annoyed

"I'll get it done ma" he replied,noticing the change in her tone

"Good" she said

"Oh and get them done before tomorrow" she added and hung up,leaving the poor man distressed.

.......

Back in the law department where Leah had left Brittany,the afternoon sun filtered through the tall windows of the department hallway, casting long, warm lines across the tiled floor. Brittany walked in a little later than usual, feeling extremely excited,Leah’s presence still clinging to her in small ways — the faint scent on her clothes, the way her taste still lingered in her mouth.

Focus, she told herself.

Classes were lighter that day. Most students were already mentally checked out, especially the final-year ones. Internship season had that effect — everyone pretending they weren’t nervous while quietly unraveling.

Brittany took her usual seat in Jurisprudence, pulling out her notebook as the professor droned on about legal positivism. She tried to listen, but her mind kept drifting to tomorrow. New city. New firm. New expectations.

Halfway through the lecture, the professor paused.

“Before we continue,” he said, adjusting his glasses, “I want to address something.”

The room quieted.

“We received confirmation this morning from several firms regarding internship placements,” he continued. “Some of your peers will be leaving earlier than expected.”

Brittany’s spine straightened slightly.

“Brittany Grey,” he said, glancing at the list in his hand.

Her heart skipped.

“Yes, sir?” she replied.

“Jones Day has confirmed your arrival date for tomorrow,” he said matter-of-factly. “That’s a strong firm. Congratulations.”

A few heads turned toward her.

Brittany nodded politely. “Thank you, sir.”

The lecture moved on, but something had shifted. She could feel it — the subtle awareness in the room, the quick glances, the unspoken comparisons.

When class ended, a girl from her section — Ashley — caught up to her outside.

“So it’s Jones Day,”Ashley said, smiling, though her eyes held something unreadable. “That’s impressive.”

“Thank you,” Brittany replied, unsure how to respond.

“You must be excited,” Ashley added.

“I am,” Brittany said honestly. “A little scared too.”

Ashley laughed softly. “If you’re not scared, you’re not paying attention.”

They walked together for a moment before parting ways.

Brittany headed to the department office to submit a final clearance form. Inside, two junior lecturers were talking quietly near the desk.

“…she’s young,” one of them said.

“Yes, but she’s consistent,” the other replied. “And she listens. That matters.”

Brittany realized, with a start, that they were talking about her.

They noticed her standing there and stopped abruptly.

“Ah — Brittany,” one of them said, smiling. “Here for the form?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

As she handed it over, the lecturer looked at her kindly. “You’re doing well. Don’t let anyone rush you into being someone you’re not.”

The words settled deeper than Brittany expected.

When she left the office, she sat alone on a bench outside the building, watching students pass by — laughing, arguing, living in the moment. She suddenly felt suspended between two versions of herself: the student she had been, and the professional she was about to become.

Her phone buzzed.

A message from Leah.

Leah:

How are things going?

Brittany smiled faintly, fingers hovering over the screen.

She didn’t reply right away.

She looked back at the building one last time — the place that had shaped her, tested her, and quietly prepared her for tomorrow.

Then she typed.

Brittany:

Great. Something happened today. Nothing bad — just… reminding me that things are real now.

Leah:

How so?

Brittany stared at the text and imagined Leah's face as she read it,she smiled and sent another text.

Brittany:

It's just...everything's happening so fast and I somehow feel satisfied by it all.

I'm with you,I'm getting to a new place in life and I just feel lucky.

Leah,still in a meeting,looked at her phone with a smile,completely shocking everyone present there.

They had never seen her smile or even check her phone during meetings and now,she was doing both.

They wondered who the lucky person was.

After a while,Leah replied.

Just you wait a few more years,you'll look back to today with no regret,I promise you that.

As Brittany stared at the message,she started to tear up for some reason.

Brittany:

Thank you,babe

Leah:

Anytime ivy.

Brittany smiled,staring at her screen for a while before putting her phone aside and getting up.

She suddenly remembered that she hadn't spoken to Luke all day and decided to give him a call.

It didn't take long before he answered.

"Where are you?" Brittany asked

"Oh she suddenly remembered me" Luke said,sounding upset.

Brittany laughed lightly.

"How could I forget you? I've just been slightly busy.

Why aren't you at school?" she asked

"Well I didn't feel like going" he replied

"Oh and did you get the call from Jones Day firm?" she asked.

Luke had also applied in the same firm as her and naturally,he should've gotten the message too.

"Yeah,that's so messed up,I might not go anymore,I haven't even booked my flight" he complained

"And you?" he added

"I have and you will go,I'll book the flight for you" she said in tone that he couldn't refute.

As if remembering something,he exclaimed,

"Oh and how are things with Leah?"

At the mention of her name,Brittany smiled wildly as she recalled everything that had happened in less than two days.

Luke took her silence as a bad one and was secretly delighted.

He was about to say something when she exhaled deeply.

"She asked me out!" she exclaimed

"What?" Luke's heart sank

"I know!!" She said,her voice high pitched

Luke frowned slightly,"So soon?"

"It's indeed quite rushed but well it doesn't matter" she shrugged

"Uhh congrats I guess" he said

"Well I have to go and prepare since I would be going for the internship" he added

Brittany didn't notice his odd tone and said casually

"Yeah alright,we'll talk later"

"Love you" he said and hung up.

........

Evening came by quickly,Leah was still at work,frustrated when her phone rang.

It was Brian.

"Wassup" Brian's deep voice came from the other end of the phone.

"You have the audacity to call me?" Leah said,annoyed

"Hey! what did I do?" he replied

"Come over,right now" she said,her voice sounding tired yet commanding.

"To work?" he asked

"Where else?" she rolled her eyes

"Alright,I'm on my way" he said and hung up.

Leah rubbed her temples as she sighed,picking up her phone to give Brittany a call when her phone rang again,it was Brittany this time.

She smiled gently,answering the call immediately.

"Uhh hey" Brittany’s tender voice rang in her ears

"Hey darling" Leah greeted,her voice carrying a hint of fatigue.

"You sound tired? Are you still at school?" Brittany asked

"Work" she replied shortly

"Work?"Brittany asked,puzzled

"You work? As in,in a company or..?" Brittany asked,curious

"You don't know?" Leah asked

"I thought you all knew everything about me" she added

Brittany laughed

"Clearly not everything" she replied

"Well I'll tell you some other time" Leah said

"Should I come over?" Leah asked

"Uhh I'm already home,I didn't want to disturb" Brittany lied.

She was still in school but considering how tired Leah sounded,she didn't want to stress her

"Didn't i ask you to call me when you were done?" Leah asked,her tone sounding a bit upset

"Well,I'm sorry" Brittany said coquetishly,knowing that it was the only way to coax Leah.

"Alright then"

"I'll take you to the airport tomorrow,by 11" she added

"Alright" Brittany said

"Get home safely" she added

Leah smiled.

"I love you,Ivy"

"I love you too" Brittany blushed.

.....

Soon it was night,the evening breeze blew,Leah was at home with Brian,they were both having a good time,talking about work and their day.

"Lil one,tell me everything that's happened with Brittany nowww" Brian said,interested

Leah smiled wildly as she thought of Brittany's sweet voice,her soft smile,her soft lips and her amazing scent that still lingered on her.

"Can you not smile like that!" Brian said,laughing

Leah glared at him but smiled soon after as she narrated everything that had happened in the past few hours.

Brian looked on,dumbfounded

"All in how many hours Leah?" he laughed

"She's soo irresistible,belive mee" Leah said as she pictured Brittany's body.

"Wow I never imagined love could make you this impulsive" he said

"Even getting her a house and car??" He added

Leah laughed

"If only material things was all that mattered"

"Rightt that's no problem for my elite friend over here" he boasted

Leah felt smug as she laughed.

Her phone buzzed,it was a message from Brittany.

It read.

"Good night bae" with a heart emoji

Leah smiled wildly as she sent her a text almost immediately.

"Sleep tight Ivy,I love you"

Brian looked at her,smiled and said.

"You are indeed a simp"

Leah just laughed as they continued to chat for some time before heading to the study to work...

Dawn came by quickly,the morning light peering into the room,Brittany turned in bed,still tired,she was about to close her eyes again when she got a message from Leah.

"Good morning Ivy" it read

"How did you sleep?"

Brittany rubbed her eyes,still feeling sleepy,she replied

"Morning babe"

"I slept well and you?"

Leah sent another message.

"Same,I'll be there in thirty minutes time,don't want to be late"

Brittany looked at the time and immediately hurried out of bed,headed to the washroom and freshened up.

After some time,Leah got to Brittany's apartment,just in time.

They waited for a while before heading to the airport.

.......

The airport smelled like coffee and rushing lives.

Brittany stood by the gate with Leah next to her,their fingers intertwined together.

Leah said suddenly,"I'll miss you"

Her chest tightened.

“I will too" Brittany assured her

“You are not to forget me,okay?" Leah said,sounding slightly childish.

Brittany laughed softly.

They stood there,hand in hand, the weight of something unfinished hanging between them.

“This is happening very fast,” Brittany said finally.

“Yes,” Leah agreed. “It is.”

“And you’re… okay with it?”

Leah tilted her head. “I don’t love distance. But I respect ambition.”

Brittany hesitated. “And us?”

Leah smiled faintly. “We’ll see if we’re strong enough to survive distance"

“Text me when you land,” Leah said.

Brittany nodded. “I will.”

Leah looked at her,hugged her tightly before letting her go.

"Bye love" Brittany said,looking back.

*It's going to be one h*ll of a time* Brittany said to herself..