My arguments with mom lessened although me and mom hardly saw because she worked extra shifts for the next few days and I looked forward to Friday because it was then I'd see Arthur's painting of me and I wondered how it would look, the eve before Friday I wasn't able to sleep, Arthur's image kept popping up in my head but I finally fell asleep and when Friday finally came, I saw myself getting up by 5am to get ready for school and all that was on my mind was Arthur's painting,
(Did he get me right? Did he not?) Since Dad's demise I had not been this anxious.
( Was I in love or something?) I wondered,
"Calm down Rose, it's just a painting." I said to myself but deep down it felt like more and I saw it as more.
At 6am I was already at the bus stop waiting for the bus with my painting firmly in one arm and my school bag hanging on my shoulder of the other. This was so unusual and the look on the bus drivers face when he saw me said same.
"Something big happening in school today Rose?" He asked with a smile on his face,
"Good morning Mr Bill." I replied quickly and rushed to a seat.
The long drive to school felt like nothing and time flew fast, what was hours worth of time looked like seconds and before I knew it I was seated on a stool at art class. Class was about to begin but there was one empty stool. Where is Arthur?
"Does anyone know the whereabouts of Arthur at this time of the day?" The art teacher Miss Gills asked.
No one seemed to know where Arthur was and sadness overwhelmed me, I didn't get to see my painting or worse Arthur and it was a weekend so I'd hope to see him on Monday and while I thought on these things, the door opened slowly.
"Sorry I'm late mam, forgot my painting at home." Arthur announced and everyone laughed but me, I had a huge frown on and I really wanted him to see it and to much of my satisfaction he did and he lipped an "I'm sorry" at me but I still won't budge.
"Okay, let's see what you all could come up with, covers off the canvas and everyone go around and let's pick what we'd submit for the art competition, (clapping her hands) come on, get up, move." Miss Gills ordered and everyone grumbled and dragged themselves off their stools and sluggishly moved from canvas to canvas and I played along until I got to my goal and he got to mine.
"From what I see, I guess we have our picks, round of applause for miss Rose and Arthur." Miss Gills declared and there was a round of applause that followed but I could hear nothing, the image before me made me tear up, with my vision blurred by the tears I was accumulating, I looked up, our eyes met, he smiled at me and begun clapping. His painting had blown me away, we had to stay back and discuss with Miss Gills on our painting's representing the school,
"I'm loving this creativity but you both painted pictures of each other, I find that strange." Miss Gills stated with a weird smile on her face before adding,
"You are young, I know; have fun, make mistakes, but don't make too many mistakes." She said,
"I have stuff to attend to, I'd see you two on a much later date, enjoy your weekend." And then she left.
I got up, picked my bag up with the intention of leaving the art lab too, my face starting to glow red, I was about leaving when he finally spoke,
"You should stay, we can miss two more periods."
My back was against him, I really wanted to stay but... Class... I had never skipped...( He did that back hug move again) it got me.
"Maybe I'd stay a little." I heard myself say, to his and my surprise.
"But what will we do for that long?" I asked.
He then spun me and our eyes met and he hugged me, the kind of hug that makes you forget that there's problems or worries or other people,
"The door isn't locked." I whispered.
"I know." He replied and drew me even closer.
(This isn't you! Stop now it's early!) My mind kept screaming at me but I chose to not listen as I held him too. I must confess, I wanted more than this; didn't know how to ask, never been in this position, no guy was brave enough to come this close and still I WANTED MORE. Who is this guy?
----
I'm not sure how long the hug was, it must have been ours because the bell rung telling everyone that school was over for the day so he let go of me and I whispered a "thank you" dabbed off the tears on my cheeks and made my way to the door.
"We should meet up this weekend." I heard him say.
I gave no response, kept going like I didn't want to go back into his arms.
"I slipped my home address and phone number into your bag, you should give me a call whenever you feel like!" He yelled.
I got to the door, clenched my hand round the knob and froze, I'm sure he was waiting to see what I'd do,
(Don't do this! Walk out the door! Rose! Keep going!!) The voices in my head screamed and I looked back, our eyes meeting again,
"One try, I'm young, I can make mistakes." I whispered trying to silence the voice in my head. My bag dropped, I ran to him, jumping into his arms; he held me firmly and looked into my eyes while I looked into his. I didn't see any error or regret or a mistake, I felt love and care, like I was in the right place, I was where I belonged, I was safe.