Falling For Best Friends

Three Months Prior I wouldn't say I like mixers. Actually, I'm not too fond of social engagements at all. I have always been so awkward. I never know the right thing to say or the latest drama everyone is obsessed with, and I constantly second-guess myself. So I press my back against the wall while mentally shaming myself for once again being an eternal awkward nobody. This time was supposed to be different. No one knows my backstory. I can start anew and be the Wintyr my mom saw. The girl who is talented, funny, intelligent, and kind, but right now, as I watch the other transfers engage and spark new friendships, I feel the hole in my chest growing larger, and the feeling of being alone never felt so palpable than at this moment... "Gosh, I hate these things," says someone I had not realized was standing next to me. I looked over to see a girl who definitely did not belong with the wallflowers. She has beautiful deep brown skin; her hair is freshly pressed, and even with my limited fashion knowledge, I know that everything she is wearing costs more than anything I own. When she looks over at me, I see that even her eyes are beautiful. They are honey-brown and seem to sparkle as the light in the room reflects off of them. "I'm Autumn," She says, turning to face me, and offering her hand. "Wintyr," I said as I offered her my hand to shake. "Well, aren't we a pair?" she laughs, and I laugh too. I want to ask her the story behind her name, but I wind up waiting too long and avert my eyes until I am ultimately looking at the ground. "My brother told me that my mom named me Autumn because my hair was the color of the red leaves when I was born. He doesn't know that I am well aware it was a name given to me by one of our foster moms. Our parents abandoned us, but he's afraid to tell me about that." Her vulnerability shocks me. I find my own tense exterior melting in response as my lips part to speak. "I'm sorry to hear that." "Don't be. It's their loss. My life is better off. I know it." She smiles at me, and it's so genuine I cannot help but return her smile. We stand in silence a moment longer before she blocks my view, arms crossed over her expensive cashmere sweater, and says, "You wanna get out of here?" My head nods, and I allow Autumn to lead me out into the night. Present I am so nervous. I hadn't put out a real piece since my mom died, and now I have a piece on display in a real art gallery. It was mostly thanks to Autumn, who seemed to have connections everywhere. I can't thank her enough now that it is done, but when she initially told me about her idea, I was very much so against it. As I stand out front and wait for her to arrive, I nervously scroll through my phone. The click-clack of Autumn's heels is a dead giveaway of her approach as she walks over to where I stand. She is always dressed as if she had just walked off the runway. She makes me feel severely underdressed for this show. I can tell she also feels that I did not hit the mark as she eyes my outfit choice. "Wintyr, you are so lucky you are gorgeous and can get away with wearing a trash bag. Still, I am now banning you from dressing yourself." "Excuse me?" I said as she gave me a look of annoyance. "You heard me. At least for important events." I look down at my black pencil skirt, with a white button-up and a pullover sweater. I thought this outfit was a great choice for an artist, but as I watched my friend's eyes zero in on the black flats I chose to pair with the outfit, I thought she might actually faint right there on the sidewalk. As I saw the crowd starting to move inside the building, I followed and took Autumn's wrist. I have no idea how she walks in those skyscraper heels, but she does and has no issues keeping up with me. When we do get inside, I am amazed by the art that I see. Everything is so bold and expertly crafted. I feel that my small plume of smoke would be dwarfed in such a setting. Autumn must notice my sudden deflation as she grabs a glass of wine and insists that I drink. I obliged and allowed her to lead me around as we people-watched and schmoozed with some of her connections. After two glasses of wine and way too many hors d'oeuvres, I am feeling a bit better and actually break away from Autumn to go and walk around by myself. After my mom died, I stopped painting for over a year. I dropped out of the community college I was going to and locked myself away. I couldn't deal with a world without her and almost lost myself in my own sorrow and misery. As I look around now, I can't imagine how things look so different in my life, but I am glad not to be alone. I make my way to my own painting and find a man who looks very much out of place amongst the art majors and aspiring fashion designers. It wasn't what he was wearing, as I am sure the price tags on his clothes would cause my eyes to fall out. It was just an aura about him. Even the other patrons could feel it. They made sure to give him a wide berth when walking by. I suppose it didn't help that he was well over six feet, and I could tell beneath the sweater and jacket he wore that he had a muscular build. "What do you think," I asked as I came to stand behind him. "It looks like a bunch of smoke to me," he says with complete sincerity. I can't help the laugh that erupts from my gut. I am not sure if it was the wine I drank or the fact that his critique was so literal. The only reason my laughter even stops is because he turns to look at me. The man is intimidating and probably one of the most beautiful people I have seen in my life. It's unfair for him to be amongst us regular people, blinding us with his perfection. From his unblemished skin, neatly twisted locs, and those eyes. Where have I seen those eyes before? Meeting his stare was a mistake because the way he looked back at me made me feel completely exposed in a room that I thought was full of people, but when he looked at me, I felt that we were alone. Whatever moment I was having with this man, who had to be a figment of my imagination, ended the moment Autumn came to stand next to me and uttered words that brought me back to reality. "Ah, I see you have met my brother, Ox," stated Autumn as she looped her arm through mine. Well, damn.