All Chapters of Against all odds : Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

ElliotThe next morning, I wake up with a renewed sense of purpose. The weight of my family’s expectations, the pressure to live up to their dreams, they still linger, but today, they feel lighter. I have Luca now, and somehow, that makes everything seem more bearable.As the day goes on, we text back and forth, exchanging ideas and plans for the film. Each message brings a rush of excitement, a reminder of the bond we’re building through this project.A few days later, we met again, this time at a park near my house. We sit on a bench, our notebooks open on our laps, but our conversation drifts away from the film, turning instead to life, dreams, and the things that keep us up at night.“Do you ever feel like you’re just…pretending?” Luca asks, his gaze focused on a distant point in the park.“All the time,” I reply, my voice soft. “Like I’m living someone else’s life, playing a role that doesn’t fit.”He nods, a look of understanding crossing his face. “Sometimes I think about what

LucaThe next time Elliot and I meet, the atmosphere between us is charged with something unspoken, something deeper than friendship. I keep telling myself to stay focused on the film, on the project that’s brought us together. But it’s impossible to ignore the way my pulse quickens when I’m around him, or how I find myself looking forward to every message, every meeting, every chance to see his smile.Tonight, we’ve decided to work at his place again. He invited me over for dinner first, and I can’t help but feel like it’s become something more than just a work session. As I walk up to his door, I tell myself to stay calm, to act normal. But the butterflies in my stomach are impossible to ignore.Elliot opens the door, a warm smile on his face, and my heart skips a beat. He’s dressed casually, but there’s something about him tonight, something that makes him seem even more magnetic than usual.“Hey,” he says, stepping aside to let me in. “I hope you’re hungry. I might have gone a lit

LucaBeing with Elliot feels like a dream, one that I never want to wake up from. Every moment we spend together, every laugh, every shared glance—it all feels right, like I’ve finally found my place in the world. But I can sense the weight he’s carrying, the struggle he faces with his family’s expectations, and it kills me that there’s nothing I can do to fix it.I want to be there for him, to show him that he doesn’t have to go through this alone. But I also know that this is his journey, his battle to fight. All I can do is stand by him, offering whatever support he needs, hoping that he’ll find the strength to be true to himself.A few days later, I decide to invite him over to my place. It’s small and far from fancy, but it’s mine, and I want him to feel at home here. As he steps inside, I catch a glimpse of the tension in his shoulders, the weight he’s been carrying around. I wish I could take it from him, even just for a little while.“Make yourself at home,” I say, giving him

ElliotBeing in Luca’s apartment, just the two of us, feels like a sanctuary, a place where I can finally let my guard down. There’s no pressure, no judgment—only the quiet understanding that somehow, he sees me in a way no one else ever has.As I sit there, sipping my tea, I find myself opening up to him in ways I never thought possible. I tell him about my family, about the weight of their expectations, the pressure to live up to an image that never quite fit. I tell him about the fear that’s kept me silent, the longing to break free, to live a life that feels true.He listens without interrupting, his gaze steady, his hand warm on my shoulder. And as I talk, I feel a sense of relief, as if a weight is slowly being lifted from my chest.“I don’t know how to change things,” I admit finally, my voice barely a whisper. “But I want to. I want to find a way to be…me.”Luca reaches out, taking my hand, and his touch is like an anchor, grounding me in the present moment. “You will, Elliot.

Elliott Later That NightAfter dinner, I drive to Luca’s apartment, needing the comfort of his presence. The minute I step inside, he pulls me into a hug, his arms wrapping around me like a protective cocoon.“How did it go?” he asks softly, his voice filled with concern.I sigh, resting my head against his shoulder. “I talked to Emma. She was…she was amazing. So supportive. But at dinner…I couldn’t do it. I wanted to, but when I looked at my parents, I just…froze.”Luca pulls back slightly, looking into my eyes with a gentle smile. “Elliot, you don’t have to do it all at once. You took a big step today, telling your sister. That’s something to be proud of.”His words wash over me, soothing the sting of disappointment. I nod, a small smile forming as I lean into him, feeling the tension melt away.“I just want to be with you,” I whisper. “Without all this…fear.”He cups my face, his thumb tracing gentle circles on my cheek. “And you will be, Elliot. One day at a time. I’m here, every