Chapter 6 A work of Art.

I am seated in the dining with my eyes fixed to the novel that I am reading trying to focus but I just can't, as the smell of my nanny's cooking was distracting me. 

Getting up, I head to the kitchen and the closer I got to it, the more the smell filled my nostril.

"Nanny! I can't wait anymore. It's so frustrating," I said rubbing my stomach. I lunch my hand forward at the Keto Tortilla chips on a tray and put it at its rightful place- which is my mouth.

I could feel my nanny's hard glare boring hole in my head. Before she can start with her talkings on good manners, I spoke.

"I'll just have my breakfast here. I can't wait anymore. I slept late so I am starving besides you won't want me to run late to school," I stated then I  grabbed another chips and throwing it into my mouth.

I pointed at the jar of juice beside her gesturing for her to pass it to me and when she did, I smiled at her. I poured myself a juice and continued eating.

When, I was full, I cleaned my mouth sighing "Who would have guessed that eating while standing is this fun?" I muttered and my nanny shook her head.

"I am glad you enjoyed it since you won't experience it ever again. And besides, you just saved me the stress of making hot chocolates," She said and my face dropped.

Not the hot chocolates!

"Nanny," I tried to coerce her with a soft voice knowing that it always worked.

"Okay. I'll make it for you when you come back," She stated and I pecked her on her forehead before dashing out.

I know people will find it funny for a 17 year old to still have a nanny but believe me when I say Stella was different. Apart from the magic she her hands works while cooking, she's someone that I can tell literally everything. She feels like a second mom and the best part is that she's more accessible.

... .... ..... .....

During the drive to school, I was asleep throughout.

I didn't get enough sleep in the night since I stayed up going through my textbooks and doing my homework.

That's must be why I felt so sleepy and was still feeling sleepy.

When I come out of the car, my eyes comes in contact with the building of J&K High school and I sigh. Today, I didn't feel like I was ready for anything but my bed.

Hesitantly, I walked into the building, passed by the hallway and was now taking my English Literature note since I had it first period. 

I think Camilla is in the class with me. Most of her classes and mine are similar, we noticed that when she checked my class schedules.

I am dropping my other books in my locker when the noise in the hall subsides and all I can now hear are loud footsteps and murmurs. I turned wondering what's going on and I see those group of boys which Camilla claimed are you BF's walking through the hallway but they weren't walking like normal people were - they were walking casually as if the school were theirs.

Julian was at the middle of them and everyone just looked at them gawking as they passed by. Gosh! They seemed to love the attention they get a lot because if they didn't, they wouldn't be doing things like this.

They paused at a place and one of them began to take something from what seemed to be his locker.

I continued arranging my books in my locker deciding to mind my business but before I leave, I am tempted to look back at them. I looked back at where they are standing but just then, my eyes comes in contact with that of Julian.

'Was he gazing at me earlier?' I thought but I brushed it off my head remembering his status as an FB.

Of course, he would look. He's probably just out for a new prey.

He flashed a bright smile at me and this made me grow more irritated.

Was this how he deceived all girls?

My brows creased and my annoyance grew even more as he walk towards me with our gaze still locked. Can't he just let me be?

Frowning hard, I banged my locker and turned on my heels praying inwardly that he doesn't follow me. I didn't know what he wanted from me but one thing that I was determined to do was to stay away from him as much as I could.

I kept walking not even bothering to look backwards when I suddenly felt someone pull me. My heart jumped to my throat but I calmed down realizing that it was Camilla.

"Girl, you alright? Where are you headed to in such a hurry?" She said and I calmed down.

"Nowhere...It's just Julian. I don't know what he wants from me," I blurted out and she raised a brow confused.

"Wait. Do you guys know each other? Your interaction with him yesterday was odd and now, this? Do you two have an history?" She asked and the hair on my head stood hearing her word.

This is one reason why I don't want to be seen with someone like him. It would lead to people speculating things. Imagine what she had just said.

"No! I barely know him. Yes, I met him once before but it was as a stranger I bumped into," I stated as we began to walk to our class.

"So?" She tried not to sound suspicious and I gritted my teeth but I couldn't blame her. I could tell from the way she spoke about he and his guys yesterday that she didn't like them so I guess she just wanted to be precautious.

"It's not what you think. When I said I don't know what he wants from me earlier, I expressed myself that way because he was trying to approach me earlier with grin. Trust me, I have zero interest in him. I wonder what he wants from me," I shrugged and she stopped walking turning to study me then her eyes light up.

"That's better. Welcome to being part of the population of people that don't give a f*ck about them," She stated tugging the lose strand of hair that fell behind her ear and I smiled.

"Well, he might just want to be cool with you. He has some female friends. All he wants might be interaction," She added and I scoffed.

When I said I had zero interest in him, I meant in all areas. I wanted nothing to do with him. And the main reason was because the effect he had on me was something I didn't like. Before it turned to something else, why not stay away?

"I can't give him that. He's going to be a bad influence," I uttered and she laughed.

"C'mon. The dude isn't that bad," She said in between her laughter and a realization dawned on me.

Since I have been interacting with her, though she's greeted and chatted with some people, I haven't seen her being overly around anybody. Didn't she have someone she was close to before? I didn't mean it as an insult, I was just curious.

"Hmm...Cami. How come I don't see you in groups like the rest?" I asked and her smile died down.

I was about to take my question back when she spoke "We were actually three. I, my Best friend and a certain guy named John. My best friend relocated during summer and I and John don't get along quite well. He was Jamie's friend not mine," She explained and I nodded. I guess Jamie was her best friend's name.

She was about to say something else just when the teacher, a middle-aged man in his forties, walked in and we don't chat anymore as class began.

*

I and Camilla had first and second period together. It was now the third period and since it was spare, I decided to head to the courtyard to have some alone time.

As I walked into the courtyard, the warm sunlight and fresh air calmed me down. This was a good spot to clear your mind after hectic classes. I sight boy seated on a bench and go over to join him.

"Hey," I greeted as I sat down and he nodded at me in response. I brought out my ear pods and I am about to wear it when I notice the wonderful art he was sketching.

"It's beautiful," I complimented and the guy who formerly had his head bend as he was focused on his piece finally raised his head up with a smile on his lips.

"Thank you. I guess it comes out better when it's a life-drawing," He said but it took me a while to get what he was talking about since I was lost in his look. He had a round face with high-cheekbones and strong-jawline suiting his slightly tousled dark hair and sky-blue almond shaped eyes.

I guess, JK was blessed with good-looking guys.

I followed his gaze and that's when I see the bird that he drew. It was just like what he had sketched and the most surprising thing is that he only used a pencil.

"You're really good. It's just like how you portrayed it. How long did it take you to draw it?" I asked bewildered.

"Well, it took me three hours. I skipped classes to complete it," He explained flashing me a bright smile and this leaves me more shocked. Since this was an highly detailed sketch, I was expecting him to have used like five hours or more to do it.

"Wow. Even simple landscape which are one of the simplest painting takes me more time," I said and his eyes narrowed at me.

"You paint?" He asked, with amusement dancing in his eyes.

"Yes, I do. Since my dad saw my interest in art, he made me learn it. It's something I do during leisure period. Can I have a look?" I asked stretching my hand forward and he passed the sketch book to me.

"Same here. The only difference is that I developed it by watching youtube videos and studying the work of others not by formal learning," He uttered but I am too busy admiring the piece.

His attention to the detail of the bird was amazing. From the delicate lines he used to portray the birds feather, to the way the birds wing conveyed a sense of freedom and the balanced visually appealing arrangement, everything was perfect. To think that he drew this within three hours....Wow!

"You can have it," He said and I blinked at him surprised. Is he trying to give me something he spent so much dedication on? No! I won't take it. I am not that selfish.

Before I could refuse him, he spoke "It's not a big deal. Don't worry. I do this all the time. Since you love it, keep it," He uttered and my heart melted. It was so generous of him.

I flashed a bright smile at him and brought my phone out "Give me your number. I would love to give you my painting in show of appreciation. That way, it would look like an art exchange," I stated and he grabbed my phone, placing his digits.

"I'm Gabriel. You?" He passed my phone back and I saved his contact.

"Jessica," I replied smiling.

I and Gabriel spent time talking about what inspired us to make an art piece and also shared some tips about our various field. And, it was fun to talk to him. It felt so good finally seeing someone that loves art as much as I do.