If Only They Knew (Book 1.5) (AU Series) - INTERSEX

Chapter Eight

Valiana

After what felt like a lifetime but was really just 9 minutes, I arrive at what appears to be a multi-business center. Most of the shops are closed because it is after 9:00 p.m., so only one building has lights turned on. I pull into a parking spot next to a red car, and look up to see Deleena in the buildings' window. She starts pulling down the shades from the inside, and when she notices I'm still in my truck, she signals for me to come inside.

I turn off my car and sit for a second as my anxiety takes over. I start asking myself a million and one questions about whether I should really be here. What if I make a fool of myself, or she thinks I'm uncool or something. I take a deep breath and unbuckle my seat belt as she finishes rolling down the final shade.

As I approach the door timidly, with my hands in the pockets of my hoodie, she smiles and opens it for me. "Took you long enough." The small empty room is filled with the echo of her sweet-sounding voice.

"S...sorry I..."

"Was nervous?" She asks, finishing my sentences. I shrug and walk past her as she locks the door behind me. "Don't be. I know I can be quite obnoxious in class, but I promise I won't bite."

I smile and nod, taking a glance around. "What is this place?"

"It's an art studio. I come here sometimes during the week when I have a lot on my mind."

As I continue walking around, I notice easels pressed up against the wall, each with a different piece of artwork. They all have the same image, but no two are painted identically. One piece in particular catches my eye. It's full of color, and each stroke appears to tell a story. "Do you own the studio?"

She chuckles and takes a seat in the middle of the room, between two easels. "No. A friend of mine from college does. I have a key to get in whenever I feel like though."

"That's convenient," I say quietly, turning back to face the painting. I'm blushing because of her grin, but I don't want my red cheeks to reveal that I have a crush on her. She's probably just being polite by bringing me here.

"Val?" Her eyes move quickly to the seat next to her. If I didn't want to sit next to her in class to grade the students' papers, why would she think I would want to now? When no one else is around? "Come sit," she requests sweetly, dipping her paintbrush into a color and sliding it across the canvas.

My feet reluctantly lead me towards the chair, urging me to sit, while my head screams run away. "W...why d...did you b...bring me here?" She tries not to laugh by covering her mouth and I suck my teeth as I prepare to leave.

"No, I'm sorry." Her fingers tighten around my wrist as if she's pleading with me to stay. "I don't mean to laugh Valia. Your stutter... it's adorable." I continue to stare at her for a few more moments before returning to my seat. I struggle to resist the heat rising on my face once more. Sighing, I put my hair in a bun to keep it clean from the paint.

"I asked you here because one, it's your birthday, and having your birthday on a school day stinks. And two, you never responded to my question."

I tilt my head quizzically, picking up a brush and dipping it into the blue paint repeatedly. "What did you ask?" I know what she asked. My memory is quite impeccable. I just want to hear her actually say it.

"Was that the only reason you stayed?"

I don't answer right away. I'm not sure if I should be honest about the reason why I stayed. I doubt it's appropriate to say out loud. But then again, look where I am. Is it appropriate to be alone with my teacher at 10 at night? I sigh, looking down at the canvas in front of me.