This is part two of the series of short stories I was putting together. Finally got myself organized enough to get this posted so the first part won't be so lonely. The third part should be up shortly, too, and I may or may not make a fourth part; it will all depend on my time and inspiration. I hope you enjoy part two of the "Art" series!
I'd also like to offer a big thanks to my good friend XxXSheenaXxX who is kind enough to to take the time out of her shedule to edit my work. Thanks to you my writing looks a whole lot cleaner!
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"The Gift of Art"
I'd also like to offer a big thanks to my good friend XxXSheenaXxX who is kind enough to to take the time out of her shedule to edit my work. Thanks to you my writing looks a whole lot cleaner!
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"The Gift of Art"
The morning air was chilly, but not unpleasantly so. It was going to be a clear, sunny day, judging from what could be seen.
It’s perfect for running, Kathryn reflected as she made her way to school. Lately she’d been thinking about that sort of thing a lot and she was quite put-off by it. At the beginning she had thought nothing of it, since she’d been trying to complete the picture she had started that day she met Kevin. But that was just it, why had she decided to put all that effort into it? She hadn’t intended to go out to make a full-blown art project, but here she was with a finished portrait of her schoolmate Kevin in her sketchbook.
Kathryn tilted her head back a bit to look at the sky. She wanted to sigh, but figured that would be a little much; it was natural for an artist to just go at it sometimes, right? She smiled to herself. He was an interesting character. They’d shared a class or two together, after all, and he still introduced himself; or perhaps he was just making sure she knew who he was. Either way, Kathryn was also aware that the boy was high spirited, and full of energy; track was somehow a fitting activity for the boy.
“What are you looking at?”
Kathryn nearly jumped. She’d been so lost in her thoughts she hadn’t heard the extra footsteps. “Nothing,” she turned her head as she spoke and was quite shocked to find the very object of her musings beside her. “When did you get there?”
Kevin’s eyes widened a bit before he finally began to laugh. “Just now…sorry for scaring you. I didn’t realize you weren’t all there.”
Kathryn shook her head, smiling, “no, don’t worry about it.”
“We had biology together last semester, didn’t we?”
“That’s right – we also almost had English together this semester, but you switched your schedule.” At once Kathryn wondered if it was weird that she knew that. But by the look of it, Kevin didn’t find it so. It was a relief, and Kathryn slowly found herself relaxing.
“That’s right. You’ve got a wicked memory.”
“Not really…only pointless things.” She chuckled lightly. A silence fell that was at once awkward and appropriate; Kathryn glanced at Kevin a few times only to find that he looked completely comfortable. It figures that she would be on edge.
“Say, whatever happened to that sketch you were making the other day?”
Kathryn felt a blush rise to her cheeks. “Why do you ask?”
“Oh, well if you tossed it that’s alright…but I was kind of hoping that I could have it.” Kevin rubbed the back of his neck nervously. “I mentioned to my mother that you’d made it, and she was curious: she’s never seen me do track before.”
This news caused Kathryn to turn her head to look directly at Kevin. “Why not?” Her brow was furrowed with concern, especially because of the sad smile on his face.
“Well, before she was always busy…but then she became ill a couple of months ago. She’s been in the hospital for a month now.” He looked at Kathryn and quickly put on a bright smile. “It really isn’t as serious as it sounds, though! She’s always had a weak immune system.”
What beautiful green eyes… As an artist, Kathryn often found herself attracted to beautiful things, and Kevin happened to possess a pair of green eyes she had not seen before. At once bright and cheerful, their darker colour gave them a level of maturity.
“Hold on…” Kathryn stopped walking as she trailed off. Kevin watched her with curiosity as she pulled her sketchbook out of her tote bag and began to flip through the pages.
“Oh, you didn’t have to right now!” He began to lift his hand to stop her, but instead the book was offered to him. He took it and was already quite flabbergasted just by what he saw at a first glance. It was him – maybe a little exaggerated, but him nonetheless. “You drew this.”
“Over the past few days, yes. There are a few rougher copies, but that’s the final result.”
“Do you think-”
“You can borrow the book, if you like. That one’s my “finals” book, so it should be fine. Just…get it back as soon as you can.” Kathryn smiled shyly at the golden haired boy.
He licked his lips and seemed to search for words to say, but finally gave up. “Thanks. You’ll get it back A.S.A.P. I promise.”
Kathryn smiled and nodded. As she watched Kevin take one last look at her work, she thought that perhaps she’d make another picture. This time, though, she wanted to get his eyes better, and maybe use some colours. A flush appeared over her cheek bones and at the tips of her ears; she was eager to make more beautiful art of this handsome young man.
