A Love Reclaimed

ded through the crowded hallway, attracting my gaze like a magnet. Both of our eyes met, and

ismatic, and well-known. My heart beat so fast as he walked towards me, fumbling with my sketch note almo

eaked out. He looked at my sketch note. "You are alw

sive comments, I was so used to. With genuine interest, Jack flipped th

I couldn't just imagine someone seeing beyond me external

h in class and during lunch breaks. Seeking me out in the art room, and watching as I

stool next to my easel. Calling me by my nickname Em, as he said, never have I met or seen anyone

le overlook, I see everything livelier and more vibrant when I am with you." Hmm, my cheek flush

. "You are more than extraordinary, please don't say that a

s eyes, and before I knew it, Jack leaned in and pressed his lips to mine. It was a soft kiss, tentative with promise in it. As we pulled

hool, supporting each other, and looking toward our dreams, he encouraged me in my

from Jack, but he had other plans. He suggested to me that we should apply to the same school, as we sat down one even

o attend some Ivy League school. "Intertwining our fingers, you could never hold me back, Emma, Jack said. I feel much better every day

ved him, daring with hope for a fut

he front of my porch, with a pile of envelopes between us, heart pounding with lots of anticipation

as we read, we had both been accepted into our top choice university, one of

brace. "Em! We did it. Can't believe it, that mea

pidation all over me, looking towards a new chapter to be embarked on our lives for an endl

le room with his charming smiles and quick wit. I saw him fitting seamlessly

t alone. Tucking a strand of hair behind my ear, he quickly asked, "What is going on in that beauti

will face it together." I voiced out the fear that had been gnawing at me. "Jack, your

ompson, you are more than enough, and everything to me, I mean we are now a team, and nothin

, and as I looked into his eyes, I could see our future reflecting

heard a very little voice at the back of my mind whispering and aski

thought away. The world around us vanished,

re silhouetted against the warm light from inside, Jack's father, Richard Ellison, stood there, his

against the sudden chill, while I strained my ear to hear their conversation, via the pa

ting with my girlfriend,

art college, Jack. I advised you to focus on your futu

rds, my heart clenched. Is tha

insisted. "I love her, and togeth

Richard spoke again. "What about after college? You

y fears, I don't belong to Jack's world, by his father's harsh words. "T

ow you want to take your position in this family legacy

, my mind reeling, and as I managed my way through the crowd, I felt like an impo

wide eye open and so pale, and at that instance, I saw myself as being a very simple girl, from

ut now, life seems so foreign to me, and I wonder if that was true. With our love for each other, could we bridge t

ds me, all set in determination. "Emma," reaching for my hand. "We need to talk." My heart beat fast, looking at his face wa

that I need to ask you something," waiting for the worst I nodded, thinking of what to speak. Unwaveringly, Jack's gaze lo

Jack and I rushed toward the source of the eruption, and as we rounded the corner, we stopped by the scene that greeted us. Just at the

tanding defiantly before Richard Ellison, her

ome to do here?"

hrough the whole room, as she threatened

," "I have every right to