A Sky Full of Stars

Chapter 9 - Lena - A Haunting Choice

Lena settled into her worn, velvet armchair, surrounded by the vibrant colours of her creative studio. Sunflower paintings burst with warmth on the walls, their golden petals radiating sunlight. Scattered canvases and sketches of Val's face, each capturing a different essence, covered every available surface.

Soft rain pattered against the windowpane, its soothing melody blending with the gentle hum of her laptop. The scent of turpentine and oil paints wafted through the air, familiar and comforting.

Lena sank into her armchair, fingers hovering over the keyboard. Blank pages stared back, taunting her. She typed a sentence, deleted it, and typed again. Words stumbled out, clumsy and uncertain.

     'Fractured light,
      a shifting tide
      A heartbeat's rhythm,
      side by side'

She paused, eyes narrowing. The words felt hollow, lacking the depth she craved. Lena's gaze drifted to the sketch of Val's smile on her desk. The gentle curve of those lips, the sparkle in their eyes... Her fingers began to move again.

     'In the spaces between
      words unspoken
      A connection forms,
      a bond unbroken'

Lena's fingers stilled, hesitating over the 'send' button. The words echoed her longing, but would they reveal too much? She hit send.

As if summoned Val's name flashed on the screen. Lena's pulse quickened as she answered. Her voice barely above a whisper.

"Lena, hey! I've been thinking..." Val's voice trailed off, and Lena listened intently.

Their conversation flowed easily, discussing art, passion, and life. Lena's doubts momentarily faded.

The doorbell interrupted their call. "Tumi's here," Lena said, smiling. "I should go."

"Talk to you soon," Val replied.

As she hung up the phone, Lena felt the weight of Val's words lingering in her chest. Their conversation had been a gentle unraveling of threads, exposing the tender fabric beneath. 

Lena's heart still resonated with the vibrations of Val's voice, the whispered fears and doubts that had poured out like a confessional. In that intimate space, Lena had found herself drawn deeper, her own emotions mirroring Val's like rippled water. 

Lena opened the door to Tumi's bright smile, her pink dreads bouncing with each step. She sauntered closer, her yellow sundress with white polka dots and bright green sneakers adding a playful touch to the room. Lena spun her around, laughing. "That dress is insane, Tumi. You're a ray of sunshine."

Tumi grinned, twirling. "Hey, someone's got to brighten up your life. So, what's cooking?" Tumi asked, eyes scanning Lena's cozy apartment, her eyes lingering on the sketches of Val.

Lena gestured to her writing desk, cluttered with scribbled notes and empty coffee cups. "Just working on some poetry."

Tumi's gaze landed on Lena's phone, Val's name still glowing on the screen. "Val, huh? You two getting close?" Her brow arched, voice tinged with curiosity.

Lena's shoulders relaxed, her smile genuine, as she leaned against the doorframe. 'We're just friends, Tumi. But I really value her perspective. She sees things differently."

Tumi's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "What's it like, talking to her?"

Her voice lowering. "It's like she sees right through me. But in a good way."

Tumi's expression softened. "You seem more yourself when you talk about Val."

Lena's eyes met Tumi's, her voice barely audible. "I feel like I can be honest with her."