Weeks passed since that conversation with Josh, and Camille took his words to heart. She made a conscious effort to give him the space he needed, but more than that, she began to focus on herself. She started spending more time with her friends, throwing herself into her modeling career, and even picking up new hobbies she had always been curious about. It felt liberating to have her own space, her own independence.
At first, it was hardโCamille missed Josh, missed the comfort of always having him around. But soon, she started to enjoy the time she spent on her own. She realized she didnโt always need someone by her side to feel strong or safe. She could handle things on her own, and she could face her fears without leaning on Josh for everything.
Before long, Camille found herself more confident, more self-assured. She smiled more, laughed easier, and felt like she was finally getting a piece of herself back after all the trauma. But with that growth came a new kind of distance between her and Joshโone that she hadnโt anticipated.
Josh started noticing it, too.
At first, he was proud of her. He had wanted Camille to find her strength, to see that she was more than capable of standing on her own. But as the days turned into weeks, Josh began to feel like Camille didnโt need him anymore. She didnโt text him as often. They hung out less, and when they did, it wasnโt the same. She seemed distracted, almost distant, and Josh couldnโt help but wonder if he had pushed her away too much.
One Friday evening, they were sitting in the park, sharing a quiet moment together. It had been one of the rare times theyโd gotten to hang out that week, and yet, Josh couldnโt shake the feeling that something was different. Camille was quieter than usual, her focus elsewhere, and it gnawed at him.
โCamille,โ Josh said, breaking the silence, his voice filled with uncertainty. โIs everything okay? Youโve been kind of... I donโt know, distant lately.โ
Camille looked up, surprised. โDistant? I didnโt think I was. Iโve just been, you know, focusing on other things.โ
Josh nodded, his brows furrowed. โYeah, Iโve noticed. And thatโs great, it really is. Iโm glad youโre doing all this for yourself, but...โ He hesitated, choosing his words carefully. โI feel like Iโm losing you. Like you donโt need me anymore.โ
Camilleโs heart skipped a beat. She hadnโt realized how much her focus on her own independence had created a gap between them. She had been so focused on not being too clingy, on giving Josh the space heโd asked for, that she hadnโt noticed how much she had pulled away in return.
โI didnโt mean for it to feel that way,โ she said quietly, guilt starting to settle in her chest. โI just... I wanted to give you the space you asked for. And I guess I got so caught up in trying to stand on my own that I didnโt realize I was pushing you away.โ
Josh let out a soft sigh, his expression conflicted. โI never wanted you to feel like you couldnโt rely on me. I just didnโt want to be the only thing holding you together. But now, it feels like youโve built these walls, and I donโt know how to get back in.โ
Camille bit her lip, looking down at her hands. She hadnโt realized how much she had withdrawn from Josh, how her quest for independence had created an invisible barrier between them. She thought she was doing the right thingโgiving both of them room to breatheโbut now it seemed like she had gone too far in the opposite direction.
โIโm sorry,โ Camille whispered, her voice heavy with emotion. โI didnโt mean to make you feel like I didnโt need you. Itโs just... after everything that happened, I wanted to prove to myself that I could be okay on my own. That I wasnโt broken. But that doesnโt mean I donโt need you, Josh. I do.โ
Josh looked at her, his eyes softening as he listened to her words. โI get that, Camille. And Iโm proud of you for everything youโve done. But I still want to be part of your life, you know? I want to be there for youโnot because you need me to fix things, but because I care about you. I donโt want to feel like Iโm just on the outside.โ
Camille nodded, her heart aching as she realized the truth of his words. She had been so focused on proving to herself that she could stand on her own that she had unintentionally shut him out. She hadnโt meant to make Josh feel like he wasnโt important, but somewhere along the way, she had lost the balance between independence and partnership.
โI donโt want you to feel like that,โ Camille said softly, reaching out to take his hand. โI love that youโre in my life, Josh. And I still need you. Just... in a different way now.โ
Joshโs fingers intertwined with hers, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. โThatโs all I wanted to hear.โ
They sat there in silence for a moment, holding hands, the tension between them slowly dissolving. Camille leaned her head on Joshโs shoulder, feeling the warmth of his presence beside her. She realized then that being independent didnโt mean shutting people out or going through life alone. It meant finding the strength within herself while still allowing others to stand by her side.
โIโm sorry for pulling away,โ Camille whispered again. โIโll do better.โ
Josh kissed the top of her head softly, his voice gentle. โWeโll figure it out together. Thatโs what this is about, right? Finding the balance.โ
Camille smiled, her heart full. She knew it wouldnโt always be easyโrelationships rarely were. But as long as they kept talking, kept being honest with each other, she knew theyโd be okay. After all, love wasnโt about needing someone to fix youโit was about choosing to walk through life together, no matter how strong you became on your own.
And with Josh by her side, Camille felt ready for whatever came next.
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