Another dream to live

Ivy walked out, carrying the sweet birthday cake and a rejected heart. As expected, it may be the case, but hearing it directly from Bridgette still hurt her feelings.

She never entirely accepted her truth, but without her permission, somewhere deep inside, she had hopes seeded ready to flourish nonetheless. However, everything ended in front of her eyes today, the day she celebrated her 30th birthday.

***

Remembering it now, when Parker celebrated his 27th birthday, the three, Ivy, Parker, and Bethany, went out to the beach at midnight to surprise him with a cake. That night, after having fun, Bethany left, and the two had time to reminisce past and reflect on the lives they lived so far. Parker shared his goal to achieve, to at least get nominated for an award for his cinematography work. When he asked Ivy for her desires to accomplish, Ivy answered after much hesitation.

"Tell me already," Parker angrily begged.

"Alright! Tell me, hmm- how many wishes do you have to hit before 30!" he asked.

"Two."

"Precise! Now, tell me what those two wishes are?" Parker asked again, appealing sincere to Ivy.

Ivy tried to toy with him for a while before giving out her answer.

"One, I wish to make a movie that gets much recognition and defines me as a capable director. Two, two- I- I have a confession to make."

***

As leaving the place, a mixture of emotions strikes as Ivy realized that she did complete both of her goals. The realization gave her a momentarily ease, but the pain remained to rule.

"Ivy," Bridgette called.

She left the house to meet with her at the elevator. Just as Bridgette arrives, she encounters a few people getting outside from the lift as they greeted her.

After confirming their retirement, Ivy turned to Bridgette, calling her again.

"Wait," she uttered, still keeping her eyes on alarm.

When she felt that no one's around to hear them, Bridgette got closer to hold Ivy, with her gentle hands she wrapped herself for a warm embrace.

"Remember, Ivy! I don't like to yell at you. I don't want to get angry with you. I can never raise my hand to you," she spoke softly.

Her words carried affection and caught the leaving woman in awe. Just as she was planning to contain her discarded emotions, Bridgette stepped in again to meddle with her heart. However, pain is not aching anymore. It barely stayed there to mark its presence and ceased its hunt from overhearing her voice.

"You are not disgusting. I won't get mad at you because you're gay. I'm telling this again: It's you."

Ivy's guilt of discovering the truth about herself disappeared from hearing these comforting words.

Bridgette finally released her hold and looked closely at her dear friend.

"Listen, I understand your feelings. I'm grateful that you loved me more and more. If only I could think of a way to return it! But I will try, to be there, for you, always," she said.

Ivy's trembling stopped, and she listened to every word intently.

"I want you to keep fighting, not for me, but for someone who can return the favor fondly. We are still going to be best friends, and I say this by agreeing to whatever plan you come up with to overcome this-" Bridgette pointed at her and Ivy.

"This- between us cannot happen as I said. That doesn't mean the end. I am not the person to love like a lover. I know that someone's out there waiting- for you," Bridgette spoke with delicacy and courage, giving the light of hope to Ivy to keep believing in love and not to take a downfall.

"Someone is out there, just waiting for you. Time is ticking, go on, and live your life because you deserve the best."

Bridgette said to return another hug and ended it with a soft kiss on her head.

"Take your time, alright?" she said, and Ivy slightly nodded in response.

Bridgette then saw Ivy going, with a much better state than before. It sure was the right choice to stop her from leaving. She could guess that it might take a while to meet again, and even more time to return to a comfortable conversation.

****

Meanwhile, Ivy dragged her worn-out self back home. By the time she reached, her friends are eating breakfast and kept her portion uncooked. Bethany woke up to prepare for them. She saw Ivy, welcomed her over.

"We need to stock up the pantry, Senior. Do you want some ramen?" Bethany asked.

Ivy observed that Parker finally forgave David, and the two returned normal, slurping the noodles out of their bowls.

"Ivy, where did you go, idiot? You don't even give us a chance, do you?" Parker announced after noticing her arrival.

The two had missed the opportunity to convey birthday wishes and did it now. Forcefully pulling Ivy to a group hug, they sent her their blessings.

Being surrounded by these people let Ivy did not fall to deep distress.

"I'm not hungry," she replied, smiling a little for their sake.

The guys looked at each other and winked from her response while Bethany didn't wish to participate.

"Oh, we have to leave again in a few days," Parker informed after releasing the squeeze.

"Another festival?" David inquired.

"Yeah! And this one is only for short films, and they want to interview us, exclusively," Parker shared some details.

"Wow!"

"Is that true, or they trying to get us there so they could get some publicity?" Bethany asked.

"Why do you have a say in everything?" David exclaimed at her.

"I have questions!"

"Not for every damn thing!"

"I do!"

The two started bickering to Parker's loud sigh, and he withdrew himself from meddling. Taking over Ivy's side, he questioned her about last night.

"So, how did it go?" Parker asked.

Ivy worriedly waited before replying.

"I got rejected, but I told her my feelings, at last," Ivy spoked to her cracking voice.

Parker's gaze instantly collapsed on her and studied the quiescent pain still lingering in her sight, explaining its active presence recently.

Without a word, he put his hand across her shoulder and brought her close. He hissed and seethed the empty air, making little noises to accompany her defeat.

"You still have us-" Parker finally said to comfort.

Ivy bit her lips from being surrounded by good people, who are there to help her through thick and thin. The bitterness in her heart began to melt away, and soon, she hoped to return to herself.

A newborn faith bloomed in her sorrowful spirit.

"Cheer up! And we have a big job to do," Parker said.

Ivy looked at him in a daze, wondering what he's referring to,

"- now that we found our first global recognition, we carry the responsibility to maintain it from now on, so-" Parker spoke big that the other two paused to listen.

"I hear we can get a green signal to the next feature readily. Why waste time? Let's start working on our next project, shall we?" Parker announced to everyone's smile and the two who fought till that moment, reconciled. The mood lifted Ivy, too, for she had no choice but to keep moving forward.

Parker remained close and by her side, giving little pats to brighten the birthday girl up.

The four saluted and began their day with another dream.

****

As presumed, Bridgette did not receive any contact from Ivy since that day. Respecting her decision, she continued with her life. Though it was harsh on her to work without ever thinking of Ivy, she did her best to cope as well. Bridgette's take on Carlotta received high praise, and she got booked for more shows for the following week to keep her mind engaged and focused on her passion.

The two separated for a while to live their best life. Ivy let fate guide her to her destiny while Bridgette quietly prayed for a wish.