Without Words

13- Still Under your Spell

"Don't you have classes?"

I looked up from my work and surprised to see an unexpected person in front of me. I didn't even notice anyone coming up to me. "Don't you have one too?" I asked back, returning my attention the painting I was doing.

Dan shrugged and sat beside me by the grass. I'm surprised he even acknowledged me. After our last conversation, things have been tense between us and we just ignore each other at school. Of course, my friends and I were busy selling Girl Scout cookies so I haven't had the time to actively ignore him. Tabi and Simon made up, all is well once again. Katelyn was excited for our next undercover mission and I was just hoping we wouldn't have one again. Selling the cookies was a test of patience. Some were good natured enough to help the Atomic Foxes, some teachers also bought some. Trouble was some doofuses bought from us while attempting to flirt, a lame attempt if you ask me, and ask us for dates. Katelyn was playfully flirting back, just so we could get them to buy more. I, however, was politely telling them off. There were some good looking guys who were actually nice but at this point, I am too busy to date. Besides, I have a lot of things to do and think of. Dating isn't high on my priority list.

I am now currently at North Point Park in Cambridge trying to perfect my first project with Professor Hart. It's a landscape painting of my choice and the different times of day are supposed to be reflected through the colors and lighting I would use. I'm not supposed to use any photograph as reference but instead, I have to visually paint nature as I see through my own eyes, not through a picture. I've been at it for two weeks now and there may have been several rejects that didn't satisfy me.

"I'm an occasional volunteer tutor so for some classes, I have to luxury to be excused from attending." I answered as I squinted at my work. This is hard; I've been working on this piece for two days now. I don't think this is the best I could do.

"How did you even get here? You have no car."

"Subway but I'll take the bus home today." I answered just when my alarm went off and I cursed. "Dang it, I have to go back now."

I made sure the paint was dry and then covered it properly. I carefully placed my brushes and paints in their bag, not wanting to buy another set. Art supplies are ridiculously expensive and at the rate of the works I keep rejecting, I would go bankrupt. I grabbed the bottle of oil at the side pocket and poured it in my hands to wipe the paint stains. I looked up at Dan who was lazily staring at me. He was actually wearing a button-down shirt, dress pants and shoes. His usual messy brown hair was slightly combed back. Now, I'm curious. "What are you doing here?"

"Visited a friend."

"On a school hour?" He raised his brow at me then I realized I am also out at a school hour. "Well, it was nice seeing you."

"Where are you going now?"

"Home." I answered curtly. I slung my bag over my shoulder and hugged my canvas carefully to my chest. "The bus should be there by now."

He somehow got to wrestle my bag out of my shoulders and took it. "I'll take you home. My car is parked over there."

I eyed him suspiciously, not liking his sudden generosity and urge to always be my personal chauffeur. I appreciate it but I don't want a repeat of our last car conversation.

"Do you know how dangerous it is to commute at this hour?" Dan asked me incredulously when I attempted to wrestle my bag from him. He was planning on getting my canvas too but I quickly moved out of his reach. "And the subway? Some people get mugged on the way."

"I've been doing it for two weeks and I'm still alive."

He stopped walking, turned around and faced me with hard eyes. I might be mistaken but I saw his jaw clench slightly. "Does your mom or Matt know about this?"