A Love Reclaimed

at Jack, his eyes full of eagerness mirroring my nervous anticipation. With a deep br

o Hartwell University!" I knew you to be brilliant Em, Jack's face lit up with pure j

soft touch sending shivers through me, and with his forehead re

me it wasn't so, I am just a girl with nothing from the wrong side of the tracks with determination and a sketchbook full of dreams, and this acceptan

radiant, as he cupped me into his hands. With a tender kiss, his lips met mine, and my worr

re I knew it, resumption day had arrived. My little belongings packed into

. "Are you ready for this?" He asked taking my hand, I nodded, trying to

and confidence, Jack moved, greeting other students whose families were in the same elite circle as his. I co

ts gathered near a status, they all looked like they had just stepped out of a catal

They will love you." Reassuringly, he squeezed my hand. AS Jack made introductions, some of the girls eyed me with thinly veiled disdain, but I only ma

, and I said my father works in a steel mill, and mother a teacher's aide." Immediately, an awkward silence fell over the group. Jack sensing

ngs, a soft knock at the door startled me. It was Jack. "Em? Can I come in?" His voice called out. Quickly, I w

med, I guess." Jack sat beside me, wrapping one of his arms around my shoulders. "Em, talk to me. What is going on?" Drawing comf

, listen to me, Emma. Just like everyone here, you also earn

and what if I am not good enough?" Jack softened his expression. "Emma, you are the most tal

elieve him, but could I be able to live up to h

udy with determination to prove I truly belong to Hartwell. Particularly, it was

e seat across from me, with a concerned facial look. "Have you eaten today, Em?" He asked. I looked up and was st

elf. Setting down my pencil, I sighed. "I know, but I just need to double my work to keep up like everyone." Ja

for his support but not able to stop f

myself in creation, and as I continued seriously in my artwork, it was during one of these late-night painting sessions that I came out to be grate. This was the first

are you doing here? Jack!" I asked. He smiled, crossing the room to stand beside me, and he said, you didn't answer your phone when I w

rms around me from behind, and resting his chin on my shoulder. For a moment,

know Em, there is a gallery opening downtown next week. I think we should go." I hesitated at first. "I don't know yet,

arrived, I fidgeted with the hem of my borrowed dress, however, it was beautiful, but I co

stunning." His eyes widened as he took me in. I blushed, smoothing down the unfamiliar fabric. "Are you sure abo

ck led me through the crowd greeting people he knew and introducing me to them

artist, and as they chatted, I saw a smaller painting in a corner that drew my attent

ying the painting with a crucial eye. "Yes, it is," I smiled and replied softly. With a spark of interest in his gaze, he glanced

what you see in this piece?" My nervousness melted away as I began to share my

ll you; you would fit right in.? Feeling a newfound confidence, I s

eling a sense of possibility I had never experienced before. Most

façade? Would Jack realize someday I didn't belong to his world? Kissing me goodnight, the

r. Jack stood there, his face pale and demanding to talk to me, as he

r, as he paced the small room. "My father call

ack had told me about his imposing, a

met. "He wants to meet you, Em. According to him, he said it

hone buzzed. He glanced at it, and I saw hi