The Art of Starting Over

Shes Definitely Something

I’m kind of nervous to be around all of Noah’s cool art friend’s but I take a deep breath and check myself out in the mirror before he picks me up. I look hot. I’m wearing a emerald green floor length dress that’s skin tight with a slit up to my thigh and black strappy heels, my mom and Nadia helped me with my makeup a dark smokey eye and just some lipgloss. My hair is up in a high bun with some tendrils hanging down framing my face. “Noah is going to love you.” My mom says. “He’s gonna want to jump your bones.” Nadia bursts out and I blush my mom laughs after she says that, I’m thankful for my mom being a free spirit and not freaking out at her comment. Noah texts me that he’s here. “Well this is it lady’s.” I say as we make out way downstairs. “It’s just like prom.” My mom sighs and I giggle. “I’ll see you later love.” Nadia says, we actually made plans with the gang to go out with Noah and his friends after. My dad opens the door for me and Noahs standing there looking hot as all hell in a tuxedo, I feel my legs get wobbly he’s got 2 bouquets of flowers. “Hello sir.” He addresses my dad. “Richard please, are these for me?” My dad teases, Noah blushes. “Well one is for your beautiful daughter and one is for your wonderful wife.” My mom is SWOONING she rushes to the door. “Oh Noah.” She gasps taking the flowers. “If my daughter doesn’t marry you there’s always space in the threesome.” I slap my hand to my head blushing so hard everyone else is cracking up. “Mom.” I say completely embarrassed. “Well I’ll consider that, but for right now I’m completely focused on the beauty hiding her face on the stairs.” I giggle and start walking down taking his hand. We say our goodbyes and make our way to his car. “New Yorkers don’t drive places.” I tease he chuckles as he opens his door for me. “I only take it out for special events, and well just being able to take you out is a special event.” I blush and slide in. “You look absolutely ravishing tonight and you smell great too.” He grins. “Hey you’re not looking too bad yourself, I can’t wait to see your art.” He picks at his hair nervously while he’s driving. “I’m excited too but a little nervous, I’m scared you’re not gonna like it.” He says nervously blushing. I take his hand from his hair and hold it in mine. “I’m sure I will love it.” I say looking at him, I never really noticed but this kid has a helluva jawline.

We finally make it to a beautiful crowded gallery and I sling my arm through his as we walk inside, it’s gorgeous chandeliers hanging from the ceiling all glass floors so you can see the art on the levels below, the whole building looks like art. “Noah!” The guy I recognize from the club comes up to us. “Hey man.” Noah says and they commence in the most complicated secret handshake I’ve ever seen I can’t help but giggle. “You must be Sevyn, I’m Jared.” He says smiling and he shakes my hand. This guy is built like a body builder, just Nadia’s type I wonder how well they’ll get along after. “Pleasure to meet you, how’s Charlie still puking his soul out?” I ask with a smile and they laugh at me. “Not yet but, he’s getting there.” Jared says laughing. “I’ll have to introduce you two.” I nod my head and smile, he whispers something in Noahs ear and Noah grins then he waves and walks the other way. I look up at Noah expectantly, he looks down at me smiling. “He said he likes you already.” I grin at him and squeeze his hand, feeling less nervous. We make our way looking through all the beautiful art till I stop at one that’s just so gorgeous I’m entranced. It’s a beautiful piece, dark and abstract, but I feel the artist’s sadness and pain it honestly makes me tear up. But thats what art does it makes you feel something. Noah comes back with a couple champagnes and motions to it after handing me my glass. “You like this one?” He asks wiping my single tear from my cheek and I nod. I look at the artist plate and gasp. “This is yours?” He nods looking down. “Noah this is absolutely gorgeous it literally brought tears to my eyes, I love this one, it’s my favorite so far you’re so talented.” I say taking his hand in mine and squeezing. I take a sip of my champagne when he looks up with a sheepish smile. “That makes me feel good. I’m so happy you like it, I’ve been stressing since I invited you like what if she thinks my art sucks.” I shake my head. “Noah you have a real talent and I feel honored you let me into this part of your life after only knowing me for a short time.”

We ponder more art and his pieces are honestly the most beautiful of them all and I finally meet Charlie, another tall lanky man who actually resembles Noah. “Okay.” I say after introductions. “I’m sensing a resemblance here?” I question. “Noah you’re embarrassed of your brother or something?” Charlie asks punching his arm playfully and Noah laughs and puts his hand on my waist. “No no it just well we haven’t talked about siblings yet, anyways Sevyn this is my older brother, I also have a sister name Reneè she won’t be joining us tonight as she just had a baby.” I smile and nod. “Well nice to meet you Charlie, I honestly thought Noah was an only child.” Charlie laughs. “He sure acts like one.” I giggle. “So we’re meeting your friends for drinks later? I’m excited to get to know you, then you can find out who the real fun brother is.” He says with a smile and winks I laugh and Noah tightens his hand on my waist. “Oh Ha Ha Charlie run along now back to your little party games.” Noah mocks and waves him away. “Now you just have to meet Paulie.” He smiles down at me. “Not another secret sibling?” I ask joking he grins and shakes his head. “Not another secret sibling.” I giggle and sip my champagne. “I can’t wait.” I meet Paulie and he’s just as much of a goofball as all the rest of them, I really like Noah’s friends they’re all really funny and really nice. “Okay now you’ve met my bro’s I can’t wait to meet your friends.” I grin. “I can’t wait either hopefully you like them as much as I like yours.”

We look at the rest of the levels and I admire the art, eyes big, I never really have been able to do this before immerse myself in this world. Ritchie always thought art was stupid and a waste of time, especially graphic design he always called me a wanna be, I know it’s digital art but still I put a lot into it. I sigh and place my head on Noah’s shoulder, he looks down at me and furrows his brows. “You okay.” He rubs a hand down my arm, I smile and nod. “Yeah it’s just I’ve always loved art, I could never do things like this so graphic design is the closet I could come, my ex used to call it poser art, because it’s not real paint and canvas but I really do care and out my all into it.” He shakes his head and his eyes darker a shade. “Hey hey hey, listen.” He takes my hands in his and stands in front of me. “Your art is real art, its about feeling something and making that into reality, it may not be physical but art can be anything, theres no rules on art I bet you make amazing things theres no one else that can do what you do.” Wow this guy is really something he’s a breath of fresh air after dealing with Ritchie for so long. “Come on let’s get out of here and have our get together I’m excited to meet your friends.” Noah leads me out of the gallery and we’re waiting for his car when a very elegant tall blonde walks over to us. “Noah leaving already?” She asks eyebrow raised before eyeing me up and down. “Oh! and you brought a little date how cute.” She sneers it in a way that makes me think that she might not actually think its cute. Noah sighs. “Lauren this is Sevyn my beautiful date Sevyn this is Lauren.” I smile at her and she just looks at me. “Well I’ll have to catch you next time Noah.” She says then rubs her long manicured fingers down his chest, I feel my heart tighten in my chest who is she? After she’s out of ear shot Noah turns to me. “I’m sorry about her, I’ve known her since preschool and she’s just well I can’t stand her but she’s always had a thing for me, she’s just a spoiled rich girl who can’t handle the fact she can never have me, but don’t worry, I am not interested.” I appreciate the clarification I look at him and smile I see her peeping at us from the buildings lobby and I’ve had a couple glasses of champagne so I’m feeling ballsy. I pull Noahs head down to mine and give him a tender kiss right on the lips, he kisses me back and presses me to him. “Are we interrupting something?” Jareds voice rings playfully behind us and I break away blushing, Noah is grinning ear to ear as they finally pull up with his car. “I mean kinda man.” I giggle as we all climb in and go to our next stop where we’re supposed to meet my friends.

We pull up to a small bar lounge, and I see my friends all waiting out front. I hop out and go up to them greeting them all and giving them hugs. Gina’s brought mr. tall dark and handsome and I’m excited to finally meet him, his name Oliver and Gina looks in love, I smile at her approvingly. “Gang this is Noah, Jared, Charlie and Paulie, and these are my friends Nadia, Gavin, Cali, Ember, Gina and our newest inductee is Oliver.” They all exchange greetings and we make our way inside, everyone is staring and I realize the way Noah and I are dressed, I blush but he wraps his arm around my waist and we make our way to our table. “Okay b***h you dressed up like you went to the met gala where were y’all.” Gavin teases. “We were at an art gallery Noah’s a very talented artist.” I answer before placing my drink order in. “An artist, so Mr. Noah what are your plans with my daughter you don’t plan to paint her like one of your french girls do you?” Gavin asks and Noah laughs. “No sir, a girl like this well she deserves a whole lot more than that.” I blush and lean into Noah sipping on my drink. Eventually we’re all feeling pretty good, Ember and Cali are up dancing and Nadia and I are singing along to the music very loudly. I think Gina and Oliver disappeared somewhere and Gavin is chatting it up with Noah and his friends about working out. “Oh my God, Sevyn did you know Noah almost went into professional boxing instead of art.” I look over and shake my head, Noah looks at me and smiles. “I know I don’t look that strong but I have good technique, I just decided that wasn’t what I wanted to do.” I nod. “Well as long as your happy your art is amazing I’m glad you didn’t give up on that.” I place my hand on his and the bartender calls last call. “Damn already?” Charlie asks and rushes to get another drink. “We should walk to another place after you guys are totally cool.” Jared yells over the music as everyone starts making their way back to our table. “Dude you don’t need to yell everyone can hear you.” Paulie says laughing “But we totally should.” We all agree and plan our next move.

Here we are again walking down the New York sidewalks drunk. “Last time we did this Sevyn just gave some random homeless guy 100$ and I honestly can’t get over it.” Gavin giggles with Nadia and Noah smiles at me. “That’s so cute” I smile at the ground. “Kind of.” I whisper, I was a little scared of how he would be tonight after he got drunk but he just gets, more sweet? I guess not everyone isn’t an angry mean drunk, my eyes light up when I spot a burger place. “That sounds sooo good right now.” I say and Gavin laughs. “Okay guys one thing you need to know about Sevyn, she loves food and she’ll never turn down a meal, you wanna know the key to her heart? A fine pasta dish will do or a nice juicy burger.” Nadia giggles and nods in agreement. “One time she made me and Nadia drive 3 hours to try this new burger place just because of one burger she wanted to try.” Gina says and wraps her arm around my shoulder. “She’s always hungry but we love her.” Paulie laughs. “Oh Sevyn we are gonna get along better than you even know.” Noah nods and wraps my hand in his. “A burger for the lady?” he asks and I nod hungrily he grins and leads me inside. “This place is packed.” Cali say’s all of a sudden making me jump she’s been rather quiet tonight. Ember kisses her forehead and rubs her arm. “Babe I thought you were dead you didn’t say a word that whole walk.” Cali laughs and hugs Ember looking up at her. “I was just thinking how much I love you.” She says giving her a small peck. “It’s happiness like you guys have that just makes me sick.” Gavin jokes, Ember rolls her eyes and gives him a soft elbow to the gut.

Oh this burger was worth the wait so cheesy the perfect burger, and something about a burger when you’re drunk just makes it that much better. “You like your burger? You’re like so invested in it right now.” Noahs asks chuckling. I nod taking another bite then swallowing it before replying. “I am in love with this burger, I literally want to make love to it.” Everyone erupts in laughter. “I told you guys.” Gavin says between laughter. “My baby loves her food.” Jared sits next to Nadia and grins “I guess so, its worth the stop just to watch her eye f**k her burger.” He says still chuckling. We all finish our burgers probably annoying the other customers with how loud we were being. Back on the walk Gavin and Nadia pull me ahead of everyone else. “Girl that guy is into you.” Gavin whispers and Nadia nods. “It’s so obvious its like you can just see it in his eyes.” Nadia says. “I love how nice he is to you and he seems like he just wants to treat you well.” Nadia put her arm around me and rubs mine. “We just wanted to tell you we’re happy to see someone appreciate you.” You know how they say the worst things happen at the best times? All of a sudden I was stuck in fear when I saw two familiar arms crossed up the street, and a very angry voice called out to me.