SOULS WITH SCARS | Ryan Clarke

3

Blair

A buzzing sound comes from my phone and I look at the screen only to see a message from a number that I don't recognize.

Unknown: "I did something."

Me: "Who is this?"

Unknown: "Sorry. Hello Cora, It's Clarke."

I smile as soon as I see his name. He finally contacted me. Since the day I gave him my number, I regretted not getting his as well, because I kept finding myself waiting for him to text me, and he finally did. Before replying to him, I type in 'Clarke - Bar' as his contact name.

Me: "What did you do?"

Clarke - Bar: "I painted something, but it's not great."

Me: "Show me."

Clarke - Bar: "No it's hideous, I don't think painting is my thing. I only tried it because I read on the internet that it can help me with my emotions and feelings."

Me: "I hope you still have your tools out."

Clarke - Bar: "Why?"

Me: "I'm going to visit you and teach you how to paint dummy."

As I hit send, I instantly regret it. I just called him a dummy and we're not close enough to call each other nicknames. I see a bubble with three dots and it quickly disappears. I shouldn't have called him that. The bubble shows up again and a message shows up.

Clarke - Bar: "Like now? I'm covered in paint and it's a mess here."

The things I'm imagining shouldn't even cross my mind, but it does. I see him half naked covered in paint and it makes my blood rush places it shouldn't. I haven't felt this feeling for years now.

Me: "Mess is good. Now send me your address."

Clarke - Bar: "I'll send you the address. Just so you know, I moved to Colorado, near Aspen and the Maroon bells."

Me: "Be there in 5."

Clarke - Bar: "It'll take you hours to get here Cora. Until then I'll be cleaning the entire house."

Me: "You clearly don't know me then Clarke. Ttyl."

I get up from my stool in my art studio and vamp to my closet. I look through everything I have, but I don't find anything good enough to wear. I want to look good for him, or more like want him to think I look good. I find a pink top with spaghetti straps and lace and place it on my bed. It's cute, but also sexy. I find some jeans that are white and throw them next to the top, taking a look at the combination and thinking about it once again. The top is definitely what I'm going to wear, but I'm doubting the pants. On second thought, I grab them and get into them. Looking in the mirror I see myself smiling. I haven't smiled or acted like this for years, it feels kind of good, but also weird. "Blair Morgan... Be careful and don't trick yourself," I whisper to myself, still looking at the mirror, and then get my leather jacket on.

Grabbing my phone I dial the number of one of the waiters from Mystic grill and call him. "Hi, Alex."

"Blair, hi. What's up?"