The Moon Is Beautiful

Chapter 2

My pencil moves across the canvas.

My eyes move up and down from the male model in front of me to the canvas and then back again. I hear a giggle from next to me and when I turn my head, I see that it came from Eliza. She’s flirting with the model, and not very subtly, winking at him repeatedly. I look at the model to see his reaction to her flirting and I’m surprised to see the expression on his face as he looks at her, like he wants to eat her up. I roll my eyes, bringing my focus back to my drawing.

“Right, we are moving onto the topless sketch now.” the professor announces and a cheer almost immediately comes from Eliza.

“Yes! Take it off sir!” she cheers as the model unbuttons his shirt. The professor just sends an unimpressed look Eliza’s way, but she’s barely bothered as she watches the model peel the shirt off his body, biting on her pencil. I shake my head at her. Typical Eliza.

I start my new sketch. I have to admit that the model’s bare chest is quite a sight to look at, but I’m hardly affected by it.

“Hey,” I hear Eliza call out, pulling at my elbow. “He’s handsome, isn’t he?”

I just hum, not bothering to look at her.

“What’s with that dull response?” she grumbles, turning away from me.

The rest of the lesson goes by in silence, with the exception of Eliza’s unfiltered remarks. The professor looks tired as he stands there; rubbing his temples, as if dealing with a student like Eliza is giving him a headache. I laugh at the thought.

“You’re doing well.” I suddenly hear from beside me and I jump in my seat, startled. I laugh sheepishly, feeling slight embarrassed when I realize that it’s merely the professor.

“Thank you.” I finally say after my awkward laugh ends, tucking my hair behind my ear.

He smiles before walking away and my smile immediately leaves my face when he does. I hate it when our professors look at my work. It makes me anxious.

“You done?” Eliza asks, pulling me out of my thoughts and I nod, standing up and slinging my bag over my shoulder.

“Let’s go.” I say and she nods before we leave together.

“Your boyfriend asked if we would have lunch together. His treat,” she says and I nod. Now that she mentions lunch, I suddenly feel hungry. “Well, actually, he asked if you would have lunch with him, but since we’re a package deal, he has to take me too.”

I smile, not really paying full attention to what she says. If it’s nothing important, I tend to zone out. It’s not because I don’t care about the trivial things. I truly just can’t help it.

“You know that Flynn likes you right?” she suddenly says, pulling me back to reality. I roll my eyes, shaking my head at her. This is getting old now. “I know that you’re thinking that I am talking nonsense, but I’m being serious right now. I notice how he looks at you.”

“Then why don’t I notice it?” I question.

“Because you’re oblivious to things around you. He could literally confess to you and you would still deny the fact that he likes you. I’m not like you. I am very alert and I see many things. I’m telling you, Flynn likes you.” she says, staring at me like I need help.

Maybe she’s right. Maybe he does like me. But we’ve been friends for four years now. If he likes me, why hasn’t he said anything in the last four years we have known one another? Yes, I don’t see him in a romantic light, but I’m not thoughtless of his feelings, and so I won’t reject him. If anything, I would try my best to like him back.