Chapter 4 Layers of Us

Briar’s POV: Setting: A quiet corner of the campus library, where Briar and Angelo have set up their project materials. The atmosphere is filled with the soft rustle of pages and the faint scent of old books, creating a cozy and intimate space for them to collaborate. As Briar arranged the scattered papers and textbooks on the table, she could feel the weight of the project pressing down on her. The topic of identity was broad and complex, but at that moment, all she could think about was the identity she had lost and the one she was still trying to uncover. “Okay, so how do you want to start?” Angelo asked, his voice breaking through her thoughts. He leaned back in his chair, looking relaxed and confident, the sunlight streaming through the window illuminating his features. Briar took a deep breath, trying to focus.

“I guess we could explore how our past experiences shape who we are today,” she suggested, glancing at him. “Like, what made you who you are? What experiences do you think have defined your identity?” Angelo paused, his gaze thoughtful. “That’s a good question.

I think for me; it’s a mix of family expectations and my own passions. My parents want me to follow a certain path, but I’ve always been drawn to art and music. It’s hard to balance what they want with what I feel inside.” Briar nodded, intrigued. “That’s relatable. I’ve felt that pressure too, especially since my parents have specific ideas about success. But for me, it’s more about this emptiness I feel sometimes, like I’m trying to fill a void. It’s like I’m searching for something, but I can’t quite grasp it.” Angelo leaned forward, his expression earnest.

“Do you think that something is tied to your past? Like, maybe your past life?” Briar’s heart raced at the mention of her past life. “I don’t know. Sometimes I feel these connections, these flashes of memories that don’t make sense. It’s confusing, and it makes me question who I really am. Am I just the sum of my past experiences, or is there more to me?” Angelo’s eyes softened, and he reached across the table, placing his hand over hers. “I think there’s definitely more to you. You’re not just what’s happened to you; you’re how you choose to respond to it. You’re brave, Briar. Facing the past takes courage.” His words wrapped around her like a warm blanket, providing a sense of comfort she hadn’t expected. “Thank you, Angelo,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. “I really needed to hear that.” They fell into a comfortable silence, each lost in their thoughts.

Briar felt a shift in their dynamic, a deeper connection forming as they shared their vulnerabilities. It was as if the project was peeling back layers of their identities, revealing truths they had long buried. “What about you?” Briar asked, breaking the silence. “What do you feel defines you? Besides art and music,

I mean.” Angelo hesitated, a flicker of uncertainty crossing his face. “I think… I think I’m still trying to figure that out. There’s this part of me that feels tied to something greater, like there’s a purpose I haven’t discovered yet. Sometimes, I wonder if it’s connected to you.” Briar’s heart skipped a beat. “Me?” “Yeah,” he said, a hint of a smile forming on his lips. “There’s this inexplicable pull I feel when I’m with you. It’s like you bring out parts of me I didn’t even know existed. It’s strange but… also comforting.” Briar felt warmth spreading through her, and she couldn’t help but smile back. “Maybe we’re both on this journey of self-discovery together. Like, exploring who we were, who we are, and who we can become.” “Exactly,” Angelo agreed, his eyes brightening. “We could use this project to dig deeper, not just academically but personally. What if we explored the concept of identity through the lens of our pasts and present?” Briar nodded enthusiastically, feeling a sense of purpose igniting within her. “Yes! We could interview people, gather stories, and see how their identities have evolved.

It could be an amazing exploration of what it means to be who we are.” As they brainstormed ideas, Briar felt the weight of her worries lifting. She had always been afraid of losing herself in the shadow of her past, but now, with Angelo by her side, she felt a sense of hope blooming. Together, they were forging a new identity—one that embraced both the past and the possibilities of the future.