The Art Project

Chapter 9

Zariah's POV

"No Zariah, you're not dreaming."

My hands remain on my gaping mouth as I stare at Jyronne. He manages to walk to the table and sits down whilst I stand there feel like some guilty s**t.

"I know you're in shock, but can I get some ice from your mini fridge?" He asks and I quickly nod.

I scan through my fridge for some ice but I rather find a freezing can of soda.

I slowly walk over to him and hand it over.

"Thanks."

He takes his hand off his wound and I see the blood on his fingers.

"Oh gosh you're bleeding."

I walk over to my cabinets for the first aid kit then turn on regular lighting.

I walk back to him with the kit in hand and he takes off the iced soda to reveal a swelling wound.

"Oh gosh, I am so sorry Jyronne I didn't mean-"

"It's okay Zariah, it's my fault anyway, I shouldn't have startled you like that." He smiles through his pain and I feel a bit relieved.

I get closer to him to check the wound and I realize it's not that bad.

"So, aren't you going to patch me up?" He asks when I stare at his forehead for far too long.

"Yeah yeah, sorry."

I open the kit and thanks to my knowledge on first aid I begin to attend to his wound.

I press my lips in a thin line filled with guilt when he flinches at the antiseptic I apply.

"What were you doing in my supply closet anyway?"

I try to distract him from the pain.

"I heard you scream so I came running." His words make my heart melt. I can't believe I hit him in the head.

"But if I had known you had your bat then maybe I would have stayed away."

I immediately chuckle.

"So this is the special security reasons?"

I did hit him on the head so he kinda deserves to know my "special security reasons."

"After Zack's parties, I usually find...creeps and naked couples here--"

"So the bat is for intimidating them to leave." He interrupts and I nod smiling.

Even when seated his 6'3 frame is still tall and in the silence I find his gaze on the camera around my neck.

S**t! I can't believe I'm still wearing it. Well I actually can. I've grown so accustomed to it such that it feels like a weightless necklace around my neck.

I take it off and set it down cautiously beside Jyronne.

"It belonged to your mother right?"

He remembers.

"Yeah it did."

I finish disinfecting and place a little band aid on his forehead.

"Thanks." He smiles at me then places the ice back on his wound.

I pack up the first aid whilst he gazes at the floor.

Oh s**t. I totally forgot about that thing.

"I guess that's why you screamed." He raises his gaze at me and I smile innocently.

Suddenly he grabs the kit from me and I crease my forehead.

"What..what are you looking for?"

"Gloves." He replies then fishes them out.

"I can't let you pick it up." He adds sweetly and I shake my head.

"You don't have to, it's not like you used it." I say in an attempt to be polite but then I realize how terrible that sounded.

"I meant it's not yours to pick.... you can never do something like that." Okay that doesn't sound right either.

Am I assuming he doesn't have s*x or he doesn't do protected s*x?

Jyronne looks at me with an amusing smile on his face and his hands crossed. He's doing that thing again. He's making me nervous with his gaze, so I look down.

He gloves up and picks up the thing without grimacing before getting rid of it along with the gloves.

"Thanks." I smile and he nods.

"And I am really sorry for hitting you in the head again."

"It's okay Zariah. I'm just glad you didn't swing too hard. I might have a mild concussion, but I'll live." I stifle my laughter with a smile.

I place the kit back in the cabinet and suddenly the safe light is switched on.

I look around confused and I realize Jyronne staring at the rest of the pegged photos.

"You took these?"

"Yeah yes."

He smiles.

"You're really good."

"Thanks." I reply with this huge blush on my face but thank heavens for red lights.

When he isn't looking my way I take in the beautiful shade of red on his light skin and admire the way he stares at my photos.

"You have pictures of almost everyone. How come I'm not here?" He moves to the photo of Zackary that I took when I went to the court.

Because you're on my computer.

"Oh, I--"

"I'm not interesting enough to take pictures of." He cuts in with a cute smile that has me chuckling.

"Umm, I actually do have, but it's not here." I reply boldly and he nods.

"Where do you keep them then?" He turns to me and holds me with his captivating gaze again.

"Well.." I struggle to find the words as he walks over with a determined look.

"They are on my laptop. They're mostly digital." I add and he nods.

He takes a seat again before placing the ice on his wound and I'm so grateful he doesn't probe further.

He also sees the pictures I gathered and picks them up to look through.

Jyronne picks the picture of me wearing my brother's jersey with Zackary by my side.

"My mom took it." I smile at the photo as he stares at it.

"She thought it would be cute if I wore his jersey." I add smiling at the memory.

"Wasn't it around the same time you did tryouts for the basketball team?" He asks with a raised eyebrow and I remember it clearly as day.

Yes, I wanted to tryout for the girls' basketball team because of...him. But I didn't get in so to console me my mom did that.

"Yes." I titter and he smiles.

"My knowledge on basketball was my downfall. I was traveling with the ball half of the time and totally got more fouls than anyone that day." I add and Jyronne laughs. His laughter makes me smile.

"Yeah, I remember. We were sitting in front row cheering for you." He adds and I blush remembering how embarrassing it was.

A comfortable silence falls between us and our gazes meet again. He's so close I can taste his cologne.

I don't know where I get the confidence to hold his gaze but I do, and the look in his eyes deepen.

"What happened between us Radely? We use to be close."

His question catches me off guard again and I back away from him.

"I get that you were going through something so I gave you space, I didn't expect you to drift away."

I can hear a bit of hurt in his voice even though he shrugs like it's nothing.

I think this might be the right moment to tell him why he thinks I've grown distant, to tell him I have the biggest crush on him.

"Are you okay?" He stands and walks towards me as I unconsciously keep backing up.

"Umm, I-"

He steps into my personal space and all rational thoughts fly out the window.

I look up into his eyes and his moving voice box grabs my attention.

My breath gets caught in my throat when he leans in closer to my face. At this rate I take in his handsome chiseled face and kissable lips.

My heart rate increases and before my brain registers what I'm doing I step on my toes and capture his lips in a kiss.

I wait for him to react and push me away or something but he remains completely still.

This was a stupid mistake. Why did I do that!

I slowly pull away from him not meeting his eyes, but he suddenly puts his hands on my waist pulling me closer into him and capturing my lips with a surprise kiss.

Holy freckles! He's kissing back.

Jyronne Handler is kissing me back.