A Stroke Of Light

Chapter Five

Chapter Five

The Decision

Outside the University gates where Anais and Alexis stood staring at each other for a tad bit longer than they’d have expected…

Something is brewing in the air.

Alexis finally cuts the Sensual silence “So…do you think we’re going to make this work?” He asked, with his voice less cocky than usual, this time it feels more genuine….

She hesitates Staring at him a little longer…

Alexis noticed “Hey you” waving his hands in front of her face….

“I know I’m captivating but I did ask a question “

Before he could finish his sentence Anais snapped back to reality and responded almost immediately “Oh c’mon, you’re so full of yourself I thought you’ve changed for the better”

“I think we might but that doesn’t mean I like you or anything, it’s just being professional” Anais added

Alexis smirks but doesn’t push “Fair enough” he says “But I think we’re both in for a ride” closing the sentence with a witty wink

Anais rolled her eyes back… “See you later”

She says as she shrugs and heads home.

Later alone in her dimly lit room with a beautiful intricate wallpaper photos of her late dad and her mom hung on the wall just adjacent to her bed, she reflects on the day and the weight of the opportunity to work with Alexis on the mixed media project offered to her by Ms Madeleine at the art exhibition the previous week, it’s all still heavy on her mind but now she’s beginning to see the potential in it. She feels an odd pull toward him, not the kind of pull she’s used to feeling. This is different, something more challenging, more complicated, something she doesn’t quite grasp just yet….

She whispers to herself almost inaudibly;

“Am I ready for all of this?”

She stares out the window, the golden city lights flickering like restless dreams in the night. The hum of distant traffic blends with her mother’s soft French ballads playing faintly from the living room; Melancholic yet oddly comforting.”The future is unclear but one thing is certain nothing in her life will be as it was, everything is changing.

Annabel’s Surprising News

Later that evening, Anais is sitting in a small café near her home. The cafe’s transparent glass structure is perfect for reflecting the city lights,

car horns blaring faintly and people walking along the stairwell. She sits there, her hands wrapped around the warm mug, the steam rising, cups clinking softly around.

She’s having her favorite coffee while gazing out into the night, lost in thought about her day. Annabel has just texted that she’s on her way, and Anais can’t help but smile at the thought of seeing her best friend.

Not long after, Though it felt like forever for Anais;

Annabel bursts through the door, With her usual energetic presence immediately filling the room. Anais was freesprited but Annabel was just on another level, she manages to bring a spark to any place she steps in, that’s who Annabel Jallet is…

She’s dressed in a stylish but casual outfit, she wore her signature leather jacket over one shoulder, she had her beautiful black hair pulled into a ponytail. She spots Anais, waving happily as she heads over.

As Annabel sits down, she immediately launches into conversation about her own day;

“Hey Anais, Before I got here I had a meeting with my mum about my acting career, turns out she finally fully supports me now, although it took a lot of convincing from me and daddy”. Anais laughs as Annabel continues talking about her day

“And… Now I’m here with you Anais Dupree, my bestest friend in the world, the best photographer in Paris !” She said teasing her …

Anais burst into a well needed laugh

She was finally at ease, that’s the charm Annabel brings naturally…. “So how was your day Anais?, how has your week been going ”

Anais burst into a chatter, recounting the various moments from her classes and the bizarre encounter with Alexis. “This guy is an utter jerk, I still don’t like him, but I don’t know I just feel very weird about the situation it feels like… like” before she finishes Annabel interrupts “like you’re drawn to him?” Anais shrugs and holds her head tightly with both hands “I don’t like the sound of that but I think I am, he’s just a great artist even though he’s a brat I think that’s the only thing intriguing about him, there’s nothing more to it Annabel don’t go overthinking it”

Annabel smirks “I Know what this is… it’s the starting of a love story “ she lets out a laugh as she says it

“Oh shut up” anais responded

The conversation is lighthearted and filled with the easy rhythm of friendship. After a few minutes, Annabel suddenly pauses, her eyes lighting up with excitement. Ohh I almost forgot!! “I’ve got news,” she says, with her voice tense bubbling with excitement.

Anais looks at her friend, intrigued. “What’s going on? You look like you’ve got a secret to spill, is it a new guy?” Annabel leans forward, barely containing her excitement.”No it’s not a new guy, far from that, I got it! I got the scholarship to the Académie Royale des Beaux-Arts! I’m going to study there too, just like you!, majoring in theatre arts” She beams, clearly thrilled with the news.

Anais’s eyes widened, expressing disbelief. “Wait, what?” she said, almost stammering and choking on her coffee. “You’re serious? You got a scholarship to the same school? That’s incredible! I had no idea you were even applying!”

Annabel laughs, nodding with enthusiasm . “See I didn’t really tell anyone, because I wasn’t sure if I’d get the scholarship or not. But yeah, I got the letter this afternoon. I’m going to be studying in the same university with you Anais! How cool is that?, I even looked at my course outline and it looks like we’ll be having a bunch of similar classes!!! ”

Anais feels a rush of emotions. She’s happy for Annabel, of course, but there’s a twinge of anxiety. She’d been so wrapped up in her own struggles at the Académie, and the idea of sharing that space with Annabel…. Someone so carefree and very talented brings out a wave of mixed feelings. “I…wow. That’s… really amazing. I didn’t expect this at all.” She said, Annabel smiles’ reaching across the table and giving Anais’s hand a gentle squeeze. “Yes!! I know, right? We’ll be making our way to school together, studying side by side. It’ll be just like old times.”

While Annabel continues to excitedly talk about her plans, Anais finds herself growing quieter, her thoughts drifting. As Annabel’s voice becomes inaudible drifting faintly in the backdrop

She’s thrilled for her friend, but a part of her feels the weight of comparison. Annabel has always been so confident, so sure of herself. Anais, on the other hand, has been struggling to fit in, although she has a strong free spirited personality, she’s uncertain of where she truly belongs at the Académie. She watches her friend’s excitement and wonders if she’ll ever feel that same sense of certainty in her own future, With everything happening she was feeling weighed down emotionally…

Annabel Senses Anais’s change in demeanor, she gently asks, “What’s going on, Anais? You don’t seem as excited for me as I initially thought you’d be you know. Anais looks at her friend, her expression thoughtful. “No it’s not like that Anna , the thing is… It’s just… a lot. You know? I’m so happy for you, but recently I feel like.. like I’m still trying to figure out what I’m doing here you know…. I’m not sure I’m ready for all the challenges I’m already facing at the Académie. And now…, with you coming here too, I just… I don’t know if I can keep up with everything.”

Annabel listens carefully, her expression understanding. “Hey Anais, look at me.. I get it. This whole journey is a lot, but you’ve always been capable. I wouldn’t be where I am mentally if it wasn’t by your encouragement, and we’re in this together now. You don’t have to have it all figured out and that’s the beauty of life, Just take things one step at a time,you’re already doing great.”

Anais responded “You’ve really grown up a lot!” With Her playful tone coming back to light. Those words from Annabel calmed Anais’s nerves, and a sense of clarity began to emerge. As the conversation continues, Anais realizes that she’s not alone in this journey. No matter where her path leads, she’ll have Annabel beside her, and together, they’ll navigate the challenges ahead, they spend the rest of the evening chit chatting and later, they go back home strolling down the beautiful Parisian streets…

What lies ahead now that Annabel his fully joined Anais’s journey with her Relationship with Alexis still looming and her big career decision just shy of two weeks away… the question is what’s next ?

Fade to black