The rulebreaker ✔

Chapter 14: Don't give a shit about other people's opinions.

After returning Olivia her dear jacket and thanking her. I climb into my cozy covers and close my curtains. I realize I haven't practiced my art in a long time. Promising myself I would wake up early next morning, I close my eyes and doze off, sleeping a free dreamless sleep.

In the morning my alarm rings at seven. I turn it off before Margaret can begin cursing me. After showering and brushing and changing into my white pajamas, I make a blanket fort and crawl inside. Then I open my laptop and switch on my digital art program and scroll through my gallery. My last painting has sold for half a thousand dollars on art.showcase.21.

Now I'm going to start making an art piece depicting Indian culture, on-demand by an Indian client. I love digital art. All the fun of painting and normal art without the mess, and since it is a modern concept, many people appreciate it.

I am so engrossed in the painting that I don't realize the time. It's dark and cozy under the blanket and I have my music and the faint, dim glow of my laptop to light up the fort.

I hear my door swing open, and I hear a voice, "Hey bear cub,"

Shoot. I hold my breath and turned off my music.

I hear his footsteps as he walks over to my bed and sits down then lifts my blanket and crawls in. I sigh.

"What?" I ask him snapping my laptop shut.

I can feel his warmth next to me and realize how intimately close we were. I take a deep breath, it's just Austin I think.

"Very cozy place," he says.

His messy hair is looking so soft. I want to touch it, but if I do, I'm afraid he might touch me back.

I don't say anything but lie back down on my pillow so that he will get the hint and leave. His presence isn't bothering me, nor do I want to be alone. I wonder why I want him to leave.

I feel his hand reach out and push back the hair from my face. A shiver runs down my spine.

"Does it make you uncomfortable when I touch you?" he asks me softly.

Ignoring his question, I keep pretending to sleep.

His phone screen lights up. "Abbey's calling me to come over, do you want me to leave?"

I don't want him to go now.

"Heather, are you still mad at me about yesterday because honestl-"

"Can you stay quiet for two minutes?" I ask him irritated, "No. I don't want you to go but I don't want to talk right now either. And I'm not mad at you, I was just irritated. Now shut up."

I lie down again and see the amused expression on his face. And I fall asleep right next to Austin as he checks his Instagram and we both stay quiet just enjoying each other's company.

When I wake up after an hour, Austin is still there. He has fallen asleep and is lying down next to me, his chest rising and falling with his breathing.

I gingerly reach my hand out and touch his hair. It's softer than I expected. His eyelids fly open, and he stares at me. I jump back alarmed. He laughs.

"You like my hair, bear cub?" he asks.

"Can you stop with your nicknames?" I say, my cheeks flushing. I'm hoping he has forgotten about the tattoos and piercings but no such luck.

"Get ready Brown, we have to go," he says.

"Go where?" I ask, dreading the answer.

"Very funny, go get dressed, you know where we're going," he says.