Bloody Paintbrush

Chapter 2

The end of the day arrived and Eri finished all her classes. She made her way to the bus station and pulled out her phone while waiting for time to pass. Tallie spoted Eri on her phone and walked up to her.

"Hey!" Tallie said, startling Eri. "Oh, hey," Eri said, with a light chuckle. "Are you going anywhere special or are you going straight home?" Tallie asked. "No, nowhere special," Eri said softly, lifting her head up.

She noticed how there is almost no distance between Tallie and her.
Woah, now that I'm really paying attention Tallie is really tall. Eri thought to herself.

"Is there something on my face?" Tallie asked, worryingly. "No! ...No. I just never realized how tall you are," Eri said, laughing awkwardly.

"Your eyes are also very pretty." She said possessively.

Tallie's face lit up in shock to the sudden change of attitude. Oh?... Where did this boost of confidence come from?  Tallie thought to herself.

Until now, Tallie saw Eri as socially awkward and shy. She was speechless and did not know how to react.

"O-oh, thank you...!" Tallie stuttered, covering her face trying to hide the fact that she was flustered.

"Well, my bus is here better get going. See you around!" Eri said, smiling.

As Eri was about to place her foot on the step and get on the bus, Tallie grabed her arm.

A few seconds pass, and Tallie looked up realizing her act. "I'm so sorry! I don't know what came over me," Tallie said, embarrassed.

Eri laughed under her breath and grabbed Tallie's hand and gently kissed it before she retrieved her hand.

"It's okay. It was cute," Eri said, with a light smile. "Good night, I'll see you tomorrow," Eri said, in a seductive tone; while lightly giggling underneath her breath.

Eri got on the bus and took her seat. She was replaying the events that just took a place a while ago. What came over me? I've never acted like that before... Eri thought to herself.

Eri found herself feeling a warm emotion inside. What am I feeling? This is similar to how I felt when Jennet took me in.

The only emotions Eri has really experienced during her lifetime was anger, sadness, and emotionless. So, this was scary for her. She decided to ignore whatever feeling she was feeling and try to make sense of it through art.

During the bus ride, she just sat there utilizing the recent events that occurred a few minutes ago with her unclear feelings, making art with it.

Thirty minutes pass, and the bus made Eri's stop. Eri walked out the bus step by step, then made her way to her doorstep.

As Eri opened the door, she heard a soft breathy voice. "Hey there. How was your day?" The voice said.

Eri walked in the house and made her way to the living room. "Hey Jennet. My day was great. How was yours?", Eri said, trying to be polite. "My day was great, thanks," Jennet said, in a relieved tone.

"Ah, I knew you could do it!" Jennet yelled, excitedly almost crying. "Ha, It's only the first day," Eri said laughing quietly.

Jennet sped walk to Eri and hugged her lightly. "I know, but you've worked so hard into getting in that school! Even after everything you've been through," Jennet explained.

Eri stood speechless. Her eyes lit up and she felt that warm feeling once more. Eri hugged her back gently placing her hands behind her back.

Jennet felt she was making Eri uncomfortable, so she pulled back and apologized. "I'm sorry," Jennet said, softly wiping her tears.

Eri looked at Jennet for a few seconds then said "Thank you for everything you've done," Eri walked upstairs to her room leaving Jennet with a mixture of emotions.

Is she finally getting comfortable? After four years? Jennet thought to herself almost crying in relief.

Eri walked in her room and threw herself on her bed. She wanted to rest for a while.

"Ugh, today was exhausting," Eri sighed.

She took out some of the projects she worked on during the day and came across the mystery man's chains and rings.

Eri let out a noise under her breath. "Ha," She examined her work thoroughly.

Blackberry. She thought.

"Since I don't know your name I guess I'll have to give you one," Eri said biting her nail giggling.