art shivers

chapter 1

I was going back home that day with my big portfolio in my hand and a heavy bag full of drawing tools on my back. It was so loud, and I was incredibly tired...

I had about a 30-minute walk to my apartment, and I couldn't wait for the bus, which would take an hour of waiting...

All of a sudden, I felt like I was going to faint. I sat on a street chair, trying not to lose control of myself. I remembered that I hadn't eaten anything that day, and I had exerted myself quite a bit, coupled with the high temperature. I was literally burning, and everything seemed to go dark. I closed my eyes, trying to hold myself together until someone grabbed my arm and asked, 'Hey, are you okay?'

I replied, 'No, but I'll be fine. Don't worry.'

I felt like the world was shrinking and growing darker. I started to lose control, and then a hand on my shoulder shook me, and a deep voice called out, 'Stay with me! Hey, wake up!'

In a matter of seconds, the scenes of my life flashed before my eyes. Was this death? Was I dying? Was I good enough to meet God now?

I was lost in my thoughts and couldn't hear the deep voices around me; they seemed distant. Then, I felt water trickling down my throat, and it was like a sudden downpour on my face. The water was cold, and it shocked me awake, causing a headache due to the thoughts I had been drowning in.

My mind slowly began to process who the guy was that had been holding me. He had a bottle of water in his hand and was looking at me awkwardly. He wasn't alone; there were many people around me, all with different expressions, as if they had seen a ghost. I said sorry to the guy when I recognized where I was and what was happening. I got up and thanked him, ready to go home. However, for a moment, everything became blurry again, and I felt like it might happen once more. The guy held me and asked, 'What's wrong? Are you sick? Can I help?'

He seemed genuinely concerned, and I was taken aback.

I replied, 'Thank you so much. I'm fine. I'll just buy some candies to get my blood sugar back to normal.'

'Wait right here. Don't move. I'll be back in a few minutes,' he said.

'No, I'm fine. I'm going home now,' I insisted.

'Don't move! Okay?'

'Uh-huh.'

After two minutes, he returned with snacks and candies in his hands, rushing towards me. I was surprised.

'Why did you do that? I appreciate it, but there's no need. Just take them back,' I said.

He insisted, 'Take them. You need them, and please, don't talk too much.'

I tasted a small piece of chocolate and remained seated until I felt slightly better. I noticed that he had been looking at me with a worried expression the whole time, and my face turned red with shyness. Well, he had been watching me attentively, and it was a bit annoying.

'Hmm, thank you for helping me. I don't know how to thank you or what to say, but you saved me. I owe you... Wait, how much do all these snacks cost? I need to pay you back,' I said.

'No! Let's go!' he insisted.

'What...?'

'I mean, I'll take you home. You might faint again, and maybe there won't be someone like me to help. I'm just kidding,' he said.

'No, wait. I'm completely fine... First of all, I want to pay for these snacks,' I replied.

'I did it on purpose, not because you asked me to. So, I'm not taking any money from you,' he said.

'But...'

'Let's goooo,' he urged.

I decided to let him join me because he didn't seem to want to leave my side. Deep down, I was kind of happy because it felt like finally, someone cared about me. Plus, he was kind and handsome, and he didn't seem like a bad guy. He had a unique fashion sense, wearing formal clothes in a different way, with many bracelets on his hands, just like me, and he had an earring. I couldn't help but imagine his muscular, tattooed body. Oh, what was I saying?

He interrupted my thoughts when he asked, 'Ehem, ehem... are you with me?'

'Yeah, yeah, I am. I just... what did you say?' I replied.

'I asked if you feel any better now,' he said.

'Ah, I'm completely fine. I told you. You can go back to your work, and I'm very thankful again.'

'No, my work is you now,' he declared.

'

... Um, okay,' I agreed.

'May I know your name, if you don't mind, of course?' he asked.

'Yes, sure. My name is Rimass, and you?' I inquired.

'I'm Adam. Nice to meet you, by the way,' he replied.

'Nice to meet you too. My apartment is right there. Thank you for everything. I'll go now,' I said.

'Wait... um,' he hesitated.

'Yes, tell me,' I encouraged.

'Are you an art student?' he asked.

'Yes...'

'What year are you in? Sorry if I'm being too nosy.'

'It's fine; it's my second year here.'

'Okay, that's nice. I'm a decor designer,' he said.

'That's cool...'

'I might need your help with some things, so could I have your phone number or any social media contact?' he asked.

'I'll give you my Instagram because I use it a lot. Here's my username,' I said.

'Okay, thank you so much, and it's nice to get to know you,' he remarked.

'Happy to know you too. Later,' I replied.

I walked away, and a small smile appeared on my face. I didn't know where that feeling came from. I looked back to see if he was gone, but to my surprise, he was still standing there, staring at me with a wide smile. I smiled back and entered my house.