After using the school's darkroom to produce my photo, I submit my artwork into the competition. I'm proud of myself for getting back into photography, that alone is enough for me. A prize would just be the icing on the cake.
I have to beg Ben to show me a picture of his painting. We said we'd wait, but I'm terrible with surprises. He loves mine, calling it "A capture of our innocence."
His painting is of a woman in a yellow dress, playing the violin to sheet music. The melody she plays releases a mist that transports people, bringing them into the reality that she sees. At least that's the story that I give it.
I wouldn't be surprised if it takes the cake. His elegant style is creative, and ever eye catching. Though, if one of us wins then we both do.
Me reclaiming my passion further ignited his. We've inspired one another, pushing each other to go for what we want. He's going to school for Art, or "Skipping the dramatics" as he loves to call it.
~
Matt picks me up to talk, which is surprising given his recent behavior. Even after Penny told me what happened, I never confronted him about it. The same way that I held his secret is the same way I'll hold her's. The last thing that I want is to get involved in their messy situation.
He drives to his place. We sit on the porch, dangling our feet from the high edge. He leans back on his palms, speaking in an unreadable tone.
"I was looking into UCF."
I nod, thinking hard before answering. "I don't remember that being on the list."
"They have computer engineering, so I was interested."
The air is thick and humid, giving tell to incoming rain. Graying clouds slowly overcome the sunshine.
"What changed your mind?"
He faces me, eyes unflinching. "You."
I can't help but blush. It was the last thing that I was expecting. "Me?"
He brushes off his hands with a sigh. He's in workout clothes from practice while I'm in the usual t-shirt and sneaker ensemble.
"I figured that since we're graduating, I should tell her how I feel. Well that screwed everything up." He laughs humorlessly. "Anyway, it made me want something different. I ran through my head a million things that I could do, but then I remembered you."
His smile warms my heart. Our brother and sister relationship goes without saying, but it's nice to be reminded.
"I made you a promise," he says.
"I'm sorry things didn't go the way that you hoped, and I get how that makes things different. I can't hold you to that promise."
"And I won't leave you." His tone is final. "I know you hate hearing it, but you've been through enough. Who would I be to walk away because of a little heartbreak?"
He's referring to the life changing car accident, and the fact that I'm clinging to the few people that I have left.
"I'm okay, Matt. Don't let my life hold up yours. We'll keep in touch."
The words sting to say, but in the end I'd rather have someone be happy than to feel obligated to stay tied to me. I know things don't stay the same, and I'm prepared for that.
"We all have our own lives to live. I'm learning that, and it's what makes us individuals. We each have our own stories."
He nods. "Yeah, but I want to have one last rodeo with you." He grins, shoving my shoulder with his. "Four more years shouldn't kill me."
I smile. "As a kid, I always thought that we'd live next door to each other when we grew up."
We laugh at my childish thoughts.
"It's stupid, but true," I say.
"I get what you mean." He gives me a leveled look. "But, we've got another four years to get on one another's nerves. Let's just live, and see what happens next."
Rain spills from the clouds, engulfing us with an earthy scent. I shriek when the wind blows it our way, soaking us to the bone. Visibility isn't great in the dense weather, so instead of driving me home we run inside of his house.
His parents, Mr. and Mrs. McKinley, heat up left over lasagna for us. He resembles his mother, but his personality is aligned with his father's.
She rolls her arctic eyes as the two jokesters tell me about the camping trip that they took during their road trip last summer. She insists that she'd heard a bear. I can't help but laugh when they mimic her faces.
We catch up on old times, filling our bellies with brownies next. Our laughter outlasts the rain, but it's not something that we notice until much later.