The Boy Out Of The Graphite Picture

Chapter 7

[Louis]:(picks up his ringing phone, blindly, doesn't say anything, absolutely not pleased with the matter, then irritatedly asks Niall the bloody time after the latter screams "our hang out mate!", the 10 to noon on his watch proves his assumption about the early hour wrong) "God's sake.." (after hanging up on his friend, he gets ready and out)

[Niall]:(a welcome a little too loud and annoying, the waitress' ponytail mostly falls off her shoulder as she sits the morning food down, and Liam's smile is quite polite and warm) "I knew you would order water anyway. We got what you have the habit of eating."

[Liam]:(digging into his raspberry molten mega cupcake)"I couldn't help having some kind of cheat day. I barely got to eat anything decent this past week."(wipes powdery sugar on his upper lip) "Work arrangements and stuff."

[Niall]: (chewing) "Liam was just telling me about his girlfriend, how much time & effort she put into decorating the whole house on her own to celebrate the new business...& Other Stories About The Ginormous Care Of Sophia Smith. Many services she favours you with, isn't that right." (Winks)

[Liam]: (quivered, polite smile, pauses before he speaks) "She is, indeed a sweet person."

[Niall]: (getting whatever that's stuck between his teeth out w his tongue) "When he introduced her to us the first time, they were all flushy mushy lovey dovey virgins on their wedding night in the 70s." (Nips on his sticky toffee pudding) "As if they weren't together for 9 months so far."

[Louis]: (proving he exists) "It's very precious, rare to find true affection."

[Liam]: (silence reigns over) "It is. It is."

[Niall]: (realises) "They could've made a baby!"

[Liam]: (blushes faintly) "How's life been with you, Louis?"

[Louis]:(chewing slowly, looking down) "Regular. Office and home" (pauses) "Patients' been less, so I have more spare time."

[Liam]:(after a considerable silence, smiles, remembering) "Niall used that wall paint idea of yours."

[Niall]:(interjects, eyes still on his dear plate) "People seemed to notice and compliment, as well as be more comfortable and confident with the color."

[Liam]:(chuckles) "The whole place is orange and wooden brown now. It makes quite the combo with the furniture. Isn't that right Niall?"

[Niall]:(engaged in his food again)"I am currently having a silent conversation with my brunchy desert. One of which you clearly interrupted, shamelessly."

[Liam]:(purses his lips) "My apologies, Niall."

[Louis]:(lowly, to Niall) "What's your exquisite plan for a hangout anyway..."

[Niall]:(full mouth, still stuffing)"Uhm, we'll be heading down to the graphite art exhibit they're hosting." (waving with his hand) "In the ...Clifton Fine Art. You'll figure."

[Louis]:(proving) "I know it."

[Liam]:(checks his wrist watch) "It had started around half an hour ago. We better rush if we wanna catch up."

'                              '                       '

[Niall]:(in said gallery, looks back at Liam who's freeing his jacket from the metal doors) "Let's avail before the air gets too hot to bear."

[Liam]:(catching up, smoothing his jacket from non-existing dust) "Take me for no expert. It only seemed like a proper place to date."

[Niall]:(patting his friend's shoulder) "We trust your choices Liam."

[Liam]:(nodding small) "Appreciate it."

[Niall]:(looks back for Louis, of whom is walking slower, admiring few of the not paid attention to work then and now) "You know few names at least. The best I could say graphite is a carbon based product."

[Liam]:(chuckles)"I could clearly see Louis shaking his head, deadpanned; "and you tell with no shame".

[Niall]:(amused)"Louis' more of a ballet freak. But, a general art freak nonetheless."(Liam looks back, smiling)"Proof he forgot we're existent creatures the second we first stepped in."

[Liam]:"He's never been much of a talker, has he?"

[Niall]:"Not that I reckon of."(rethinks it) "With the majority of people, at least. It takes time and energy for his doors to open, I guess."

[Liam]:(nods)"I see."(points at a painting in a corner excitedly)"Oh, I know that one!"

[Niall]:(Liam tells him little information he knows about the artist and said work, Niall remarks Louis who checks the same art moments later)"Remind me to tell him about your friend, by the way."

[Liam]:(nods one)"Sure. Maybe I'll just tell him myself-So to explain better."

[Niall]:"Like you wish man."

[Louis]:(steps away from his fellas, observing black and grey graphite on a white canvas, catches the only colored blue signature on the right bottom of the work piece, wanders on, observes some more, turns around to catch up on his mates, clumsily stumbling into someone, blushes into the other direction, walking ahead) "Excuse me."

[Liam]: "He said it's heavy material!" (in defense)

[Niall]:"I said it's his job! And it's heavy burden. I need someone who can deal with their thing, or he can go lift chairs in Dalia's across the street."

[Louis]:(hands in pocket) "I reckon some work. I expected more to be exhibited though."

[Niall]:(to Liam, grinning knowingly) "Here comes he." (to Louis) "Of course, you couldn't have possibly a buoyant opinion." (puts his arm around his shoulder) "Louis, Liam had just been telling me on how to not work with feelings, do you agree?"

[Louis]:(without deep thinking) "It's what has to be restrained under control. I take a belief of the concept in my own career."

[Niall]: "See. Apparently Liam here works with that pea of a brain he has."

[Liam]: "It's only that I excuse people, am understanding. You're the inhuman one."

[Niall]: (exited for the conversation, really) "That's what I'm talking about! Excuse by sentiment!"

[Liam]: "They're probabilities! Not everyone is wrong on purpose. Or wrong at all."

[Niall]:(pats him, again) "You'll understand when you're less naive."

[Liam]: (a little irritated form the convo-but not more than Niall) "I'm not naive, Niall. I am rational. Use reason. Common sense, of which I pardon you for not possessing." (turns to him, smiles, triumphant) "Hence my big, sentimental heart."

[Niall]: (turning to Louis, chuckling) "He's not naive, he says. He's not naive." (remarks, furrows his eyebrows)
"You're dewy with sweat though. It's not that much heated of a conversation?"

[Louis]: (curves lips' end, ironically) "Oh, no; It's your mere existent breath near me getting me all worked up."

[Niall]: (chuckles, awkwardly if I might say) "Aight." (Liam smiles)