Colors of Rain

Chapter 15: Prisoner

The morning seemed rather friendly today. With the warm sun rays passing through the hotel windows, the group decided to have a stroll in the nearby park. Ah, what a beautiful day. It was indeed as the flowers were in full bloom, ranging in various warm hues. Eliza couldn't help her excitement when she noticed that Dr. Lane was wearing a white flowy dress. She asked the older woman if she could pose as a model as she had this idea of a theme for the exhibit. Dr. Lane happily agreed and sat down in a bed of peonies. Immediately Eliza sat down on the grass and began to draw, shutting out the world around her.

Evelyn, on the other hand, could only watch before joining CC to buy some snacks at a nearby store. Upon their return, they could see that Dr. Simpson had become the model. Seeing that this could take a while, they sat down at a nearby bench where Dr. Lane joined them.

"Quite a lovely day isn't it?" She sat down beside CC taking a sandwich from her hand.

"Hey!" CC exclaimed as Dr. Lane took a bite and gave it back to her when Dr. Simpson waved at the redhead to come over. "Well, gotta go. The artist needs her muse." Dr. Lane smirked at Evelyn who only rolled her eyes in reply before putting on her sunglasses. A while later, Devon and Brandon came into view.

"Hey, guys." Brandon waved at both women.

"Hello, you two," CC replied smiling brightly at the pair.

"Brandon!" All heads turned when they heard Eliza's voice. She was running towards them.

"Your voice, please. We're in public." Evelyn warned the younger woman who lowered her head. "Sorry." She breathed out to which Evelyn nodded.

"What is it, Liz?" Brandon asked.

"Can you please help us? I'm sketching ideas for the upcoming exhibit at the university and Dr. Lane and Dr. Simpson are my models. And I think it would be best if we used your camera so they don't get too exposed in the sun." She asked shyly.

"Sure. Here you go." Brandon smiled handing over the camera but Eliza didn't take it saying, "Oh I uh, don't know how to handle cameras properly, I shake a lot when holding one. Can you do them instead? I'll just guide you through."

"Sure thing! I'd be more than happy to help." Eliza's eyes glimmered with delight as she jumped and down. Devon joined them as they went to where Dr. Lane and Dr. Simpson were and began the photoshoot. Eliza was so excited that she was smiling the whole time. Evelyn was both shocked and amazed at the young woman's excitement. Even CC was in awe as she couldn't remember the last time Eliza was this happy.

"Okay, what did you two do last night?" CC asked smirking at Evelyn.

"We didn't do anything. I'm as surprised as you are with this sudden beam of happiness." Evelyn plainly replied with eyes fixated on the younger woman. CC eyed her suspiciously in a playful manner before finally giving in as she couldn't make anything of her expression. After a few moments of silence, while watching the photoshoot, CC breathed out a sigh. "She looks beautiful, doesn't she?"

"She does," Evelyn answered without hesitation.

"Why did you choose her?" The question made the older woman's face soften.

"Because something tells me she holds what I don't have. I didn't choose her though, she just came," she replied, folding her arms over her chest with eyes still fixated on her lover.

"Wow. The great Evelyn Craige trusted her guts without sufficient evidence. Interesting. So if you had the choice, would you not choose her then?"

"I'd still choose her. I don't know why, but I will." CC was astonished by this side of her. Evelyn was a woman who was always sure of the things she'd do despite the uncertainties ahead, but when she met Eliza, it seems that she had finally begun to question herself. With a deep breath, CC stood up and stretched.