In My Art

Chapter 16- Uttered Butterflies

Song- To Build A Home By The Cinematic Orchestra

…/…

“That is so cute,” Lexie says. We were all seated in the living room and I had just told them about what Bryan did and how he executed his plan, not like I had a choice to not spill. I mean they saw the teddy bear.

“And you’re sure you guys are not together?” ID asked, knowing fully well that we aren’t. “You keep asking me this question and you know the answer but, oh well”. “Well, you can’t blame her. You guys are unofficially together,” Jane says.

“I’m just glad he’s made a clear statement about how he feels for you now. No more Mystery Guys and whatnot,” Lexie says. The rate at which Lexie stands up for Bryan is alarming. I’ve got to ask him sometime if he paid her to do this, because what is this?

“Oh, I forgot to tell you guys, I know his name now”. “Really? How’d you find out?” ID asks. “No one cares!” “Nah, Lex, are you related to Bryan? Or do you maybe hate Mystery Guy?” I asked, because I had to. “Honestly, I just don’t like the fact that he wasn’t being straight with you from the beginning. I mean who meets someone and doesn’t give a name but buys them ice cream? I just don’t know, it’s weird”.

“Look…” I began before ID cut me off, saying, “You can explain to Lex later how he’s a good guy. Just tell Jane and me how you found out his name”. “Okay fine, his friend told me. He didn’t know that I didn’t know, so he just said it”.

“Oh, I thought it was going to be more dramatic than that. Like maybe you found his files and saw his name there and then he caught you in the act or something like that,” Jane says. “Yeah, me too. So, what’s his name?” ID asks.

“You know what? I’m just going to invite him to Jane’s party and then, you guys can ask him by yourselves”. “Alright then, I’ll go talk to him, probably flirt a little too,” ID says. “Flirt? Wouldn’t Ian be there too?” Lex asks.

“Okay then, I’d drag Ian with me and we’d go flirt with him and then, we’d find out his name”. Lexie and I had the same expression on our faces; shock. “I’m not even surprised,” Jane says. How could she be? She’s stayed with ID for three years.

“I’d invite him and his friend. His friend is really hot. I can’t tell who’s hotter among the pair. Oh yeah, about your party Jane, do you think we could move it to after exams?”. “First of all, it’s our party, and secondly, why?”

“I don’t think any of us are going to be able to party hard with exams on our minds,” Lex said. “I agree with Lex on this one,” ID says. “So how exactly am I going to hold him down till the party?”

“You guys could go on a study date?” Lexie says. “Yeah, you could get coffee and go studying together if he’s into studying,” I said. “You really think it’ll work out?” she asks. I could see worry all over her face, Poor Jane.

“Yes, it will, but if it doesn’t, then ask me out on the study date and I’ll say yes. If the worst happens, then Ian will third-wheel”. At this point, I’m not even shocked. I think I’m starting to get used to the way ID thinks; it’s marvelous in its sense.

“Okay, I’ll ask him,” Jane says, smiling. “Good, and I’m going to invite Mystery Guy and his friend”. “What a wonderful idea! Mystery Guy, his friend, you, and Bryan, in the same suite. How amazing!” Lexie says, with sarcasm so loud that it cannot be missed. “Right? Can’t wait to watch you try to get out of Bryan’s sight to go talk to them,” ID adds.

“It doesn’t have to be like that, plus I’m not tied to any of them, so everyone should chill”. “Hate to be the one to tell you but the necklace sitting pretty on your neck and the life-sized teddy bear in your room say otherwise”.

“Look, guys, it’s not deep at all. I’m not going to be flirting with anybody. I just want to have a calm evening with my friends”. After saying that, it was obvious I was deceiving myself, because who am I kidding? Bryan gets jealous easily and I’m not even going to be flirting with Ash, but it just happens subconsciously. Let’s just see how it goes.

…/…

“I’m so glad you’re here. I want you to see the wind effect you told me to add to the painting. Wait, why are you here? Aren’t you supposed to be studying?” Asher asks. He was the only one in the space and my guess is he used his special privilege to paint all by himself on the days when the space is supposed to be closed.

“I was, I honestly was, but it was just too much. I started maxing out by mixing characters and terminologies, which shouldn’t be something difficult, but I was tired, yet I couldn’t stop. My books were eating me alive, sparing neither my blood nor my sanity. I could see myself losing myself and the life-sized teddy bear didn’t help at all. I just needed to leave the suite because if I didn’t, I would’ve passed out,” I said in a bit of a rush.

“Whoa, slow down there tiger,” he says. “Why didn’t you go to meet Breanna though?” “You have got to stop calling him that”. “Oh yeah? Make me,” he says. I make a face at him and then say, “He’s at a meeting”.

“So, I’m your second choice, your second option, your alternative, your next best thing?” He holds his chest in a dramatic manner and says, “Ouch! That hurt!”

“You are way too dramatic,” I said. “Well, you caused it! Nice necklace by the way,” he said. “Yeah? ‘Breanna’ gave it to me”. “Boy’s got game and style, I have to give it to him”. I know I told Ash that I didn’t go to meet Bryan because he had a governor's meeting to attend, which is true, but I also didn’t go because Bryan, right now, would only remind me of the work I need to do and the courses I need to cover. I wanted out.

I walked towards the painting to see the wind effect, and it was beautiful. “It’s perfect,” I said. “Well, it was your idea, Freshman” he replied. I looked at him and smiled. “I didn’t think I was going to submit this for the competition but this effect is a game changer, I just might”.

“When is it?” “After exams. I started earlier so I wouldn’t have to stress about it by the time exams came up, but I didn’t think I was going to apply again, till you opened your big mouth and uttered butterflies”. “Side note, I really need to know where you went to learn how to say stuff like that, it’s important”.

“So you can use them on Breanna? Not a chance”. “You really need to stop calling him that. Anyway, you’re welcome”. “You can chill out. I’m not going to say this to him in person. That is if I am going to meet him eventually”.

“Of course you are”. I hadn’t told him about the party yet because I was still considering inviting him. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to stir up that kind of drama in my life before I went home. “I’m going to tuck this somewhere safe,” he says, referring to his painting.

“I wanted to offer you ice cream but I think both you and the factory are becoming too close. I don’t want you to get too used to the taste of ice cream from the factory. Trust me, you don’t want to ruin it for yourself. I have this friend of mine that thinks the ice cream factory is basic now”.

I gasped in response to what he said, giving him the same energy. “Yeah, he totally spoilt the whole experience for himself. So please, refrain from going there till after your exams”. “How exactly am I supposed to cope without ice cream and reading?”

“I’ll take you to this place that is perfectly mediocre and then, after exams, we'll go get ice cream from the factory. I would totally record your reaction”. “Okay then, deal!”

“Yeah, so seeing as we can’t get ice cream right now, I know this amazing place that serves the best tacos”. I stood there, in front of him, wide-eyed.

Did Asher just ask me out on a date?