Chapter Seven: The Art Room Confession

Leo had always admired art from a distance, never quite confident enough to pick up a pencil or brush himself. The art room at Westwood High was a quiet, sunlit space filled with the scent of acrylic paint and charcoal—a sanctuary for the creatively inclined. He didn't expect to find Adrian there after school, especially not alone.

But there he was.

Adrian stood in front of a canvas, sleeves rolled up and hands stained with a kaleidoscope of colors. His usually cocky smirk was replaced with a rare, concentrated frown as he moved his brush across the canvas with deliberate strokes.

Leo lingered in the doorway, unsure whether to interrupt. He wasn't used to seeing Adrian like this—unguarded and immersed in something that wasn't a sarcastic quip or a calculated smirk.

"You're staring," Adrian said without turning around, his voice breaking the silence.

Leo flinched. "I wasn't—"

"You were." Adrian finally turned, one eyebrow raised. "But I'll let it slide since it's you."

Leo sighed, stepping further into the room. "What are you doing here?"

Adrian leaned back against the edge of the table, wiping his hands on a rag. "What does it look like I'm doing? Painting."

Leo crossed his arms. "I mean, why are you still here? School ended hours ago."

Adrian smirked, but it was softer than usual. "Sometimes I need to get away from the chaos. This place helps me think."

Leo hesitated, glancing at the painting. It was an abstract piece, full of bold strokes and striking colors, but there was something unsettling in it—a tension that mirrored the complexity of its creator.

"It's… intense," Leo said carefully.

Adrian chuckled. "Nice way of saying you don't get it."

"That's not what I meant!" Leo protested.

Adrian shook his head, still smiling. "Relax, I'm kidding." He turned back to the canvas, picking up his brush again. "So, what brings you here? Couldn't get enough of me after our romantic park outing?"

Leo groaned, dragging a hand down his face. "Don't remind me. Kai practically accused me of being brainwashed."

Adrian smirked. "Kai's always been dramatic."

Leo leaned against the table, watching Adrian work. "What's your deal with him anyway? You two clearly hate each other."

Adrian paused, his brush hovering mid-air. For a moment, Leo thought he wouldn't answer.

"It's complicated," Adrian said finally, his tone quieter.

"That's not an answer," Leo pressed.

Adrian sighed, setting his brush down and turning to face Leo. "Kai and I used to be friends. Close friends. But then… things changed."

Leo frowned. "Changed how?"

Adrian hesitated, his usual bravado gone. "Let's just say we both made mistakes. And now he sees me as the villain in every story."

Leo tilted his head, trying to read Adrian's expression. It was rare to see him so unguarded, and it made Leo wonder how much of Adrian's cocky facade was just that—a facade.

"Do you care what he thinks of you?" Leo asked softly.

Adrian laughed, but it lacked his usual edge. "Not really. But sometimes… yeah, maybe I do."

Leo was taken aback by the honesty in Adrian's voice. Before he could respond, Adrian changed the subject.

"Anyway, enough about Kai. What's going on with you? Still pining after Ethan?"

Leo felt his face heat up. "I'm not pining."

"Sure, you're not," Adrian said with a smirk. "So, what's the plan? Keep pretending to date me until he falls madly in love with you?"

Leo bit his lip. "I don't know. Maybe this whole thing was a bad idea."

Adrian's smirk faded. "Do you regret it?"

Leo hesitated. "No… I mean, you've been helping me. But sometimes I feel like I'm just making things worse."

Adrian studied him for a moment, his gaze softer than usual. "Leo, can I give you some advice?"

Leo raised an eyebrow. "You? Give advice?"

Adrian rolled his eyes. "I'm being serious. Do you want my help or not?"

"Fine," Leo said, crossing his arms. "What's your advice?"

Adrian leaned closer, his green eyes locking onto Leo's. "Stop worrying so much about what other people think. Ethan, Kai, the whole school—they don't define you. You do."

Leo blinked, surprised by the sincerity in Adrian's voice. "That's… surprisingly insightful."

Adrian grinned, the cockiness returning. "Don't get used to it. I have a reputation to maintain."

Leo shook his head, but he couldn't help the small smile tugging at his lips.

"Anyway," Adrian said, turning back to his painting, "if you're done soul-searching, you can help me clean up. This place doesn't close itself, you know."

Leo groaned but grabbed a rag, stepping beside Adrian to wipe down the table.

For a moment, they worked in silence, the tension between them replaced by a strange, almost comfortable camaraderie.

As they finished, Adrian leaned against the table, watching Leo with a rare, thoughtful expression.

"You're not as bad as I thought," Adrian said casually.

Leo raised an eyebrow. "Is that supposed to be a compliment?"

"Take it however you want," Adrian replied with a smirk.

Leo rolled his eyes, but a part of him couldn't deny the warmth spreading in his chest.

"Thanks," Leo said quietly.

Adrian tilted his head. "For what?"

"For… being real with me. Even if it's just for a moment."

Adrian's smirk softened into something almost genuine. "Anytime, new kid."

As Leo left the art room that evening, he couldn't shake the feeling that he'd just seen a side of Adrian no one else got to see—a side that made him wonder if there was more to Adrian Kane than meets the eye.