Eloise was glad to have one more reason to get out of the house that fit her so poorly. She was not without friends, but they were all working or travelling. It was refreshing for Eloise to be able to get out of the house and not feel like she was escaping her home, instead seeking something meaningful. On this day in particular, she was meeting Spencer at a city park on a wooded peninsula that stuck out into the lake. It was a popular park, nestled among the campus of the university.
It was a hot, humid day, like many other midwestern august days. Eloise and Spencer walked the trail towards the end of the peninsula. They strayed from the trail and sat on a large rectangular rock that jutted out over the water. It was a peaceful day, and they watched people passing by like the breeze. There were happy couples out on dates, friends enjoying each other’s company, parents with their young children, all savoring the moment.
“I suppose I haven’t asked you yet, but where are you going to university?” Spencer broke a gentle silence between the two.
“I’m attending Barnard College out in New York” Eloise’s heart sank as she answered, knowing how far it was from this place. “What about you? Where are you going?”
“I’m going to UCLA. It’s just around the corner” Spencer chuckled, hiding the remorse in his voice. The gentle silence returned as the pair returned to the moment once again. Each knew that the whirlwind they had shared was too good to last, but this confidently put an end point in front of them.
“I’ve always thought that leaving was the easy part. You get a new start somewhere far away, and can leave behind everything that dragged you down.” Eloise reflected. “Now I’m not so sure.”
“Staying always seemed like the easy option to me. Don’t have to leave anyone or anything you love behind. You don’t have to struggle to forge your own path in a distant place.” Spencer couldn’t bring himself to smile. “But then again, it’s not exactly like I want to stay.”
“Making the easy decision isn’t as important as making the right one. And you can’t find out what the right decision was until after you’ve made it. You never know that staying somewhere is killing a small part of you each day until you’re halfway dead. And you never know that you started where you belonged til you’ve made the voyage out into the unknown.” Eloise imparted, watching her reflection in the water.
Spencer nodded, reached out for Eloise’s hand and gave it a squeeze. “Sometimes there is no right option and every choice you make is gonna hurt. But at least we have moments in the meantime that fill us with joy.”
“I wish we weren’t so wise.” Eloise turned to Spencer, brushed some hair out of her eyes and behind her ear. “Makes it easier to dive in headfirst.”
“Never hurts to know which end of the pool is the deep end when you’re going diving,” Spencer smirked. The two leaned closer, eyes locked, trying to convey all their emotions wordlessly. “Can I kiss you?” Spencer sliced through the tension.
“Of course” Eloise pulled him in.
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