The Truth About Love

sixteen

 The next semester started and you and Steve were getting on better terms. The two of you made sure to go on weekly dates to help you. You were still working the two jobs, just fewer hours at both of them since this semester and your next semester was taken care of.

You were back to studying in Steve's studio, which made Steve incredibly happy. He made sure though to respect your boundaries when it came to being physical with you and the money aspect. Steve still visited you at your places of work, doing his own homework or sketching until your shift was over and then either taking you home or to the studio.

Currently, you were sitting on the floor of the studio, with your back against the windows. A textbook lay in your lap with your laptop open beside you. Steve was supposed to be working on his latest art project, across the room, but had been staring at you for the last twenty minutes. And you noticed.

"Steve," you called, not even looking up from what you were doing. "Why don't you try and get your own work done?"

"Sorry, it's just so hard when you're across the room from me," he responded.

You looked up. "Should I leave then? Allow you to get some work done?"

Steve shook his head as he stood up and walked over. "That's not what I meant and you know it."

"But I'm a distraction," you teased.

Steve crouched down in front of you. "A very welcome one." He leaned in and brushed his lips over yours.

"Yeah, well, you're not." You giggled as Steve's lip formed into a pout. "I'm kidding, Steve." You gave his lips a peck. "I do have to get this done tonight though."

"Fine," he sighed. "One more kiss?"

You smiled as you kissed him. Steve was quick to steal another kiss before you pushed him away with a giggle. He tried his best to look like a hurt puppy as he sulked back over to his spot. You bit your lip as you watched him, snapping your eyes back to your book when Steve turned to sit. He smirked as he noticed you had been staring. He couldn't stop glancing at you and thinking about how lucky he was to have you in his life.

~~~

You could tell that something was bothering Steve from the moment he stepped into the coffee shop. His smile didn't quite reach his eyes and his wave wasn't as sure as it usually was. Sadly, you couldn't go and figure out what was wrong because there was a constant stream of customers. You kept looking over to check on Steve. You were easily able to tell that Steve was too distracted to even sketch.

Unfortunately, there were customers in there up until closing time. So while you finished with them, Steve began cleaning up. Once the customers were gone and the door was locked, you studied Steve as he mindlessly went about cleaning. You sighed as you headed for him. He was so in his own head that he didn't notice you coming and even jumped when your hand grazed his back.

"Sorry," he quickly apologized before you could. He couldn't even look you in the eye, seemingly in a rush to get back to work.

"Steve," you called, only to go ignored. You went over to him again, this time getting in front of him. "Steve, what's going on? Did something happen?"

"Nothing happened," he shook his head. "Everything's good."

"I don't believe you."

He sighed. "Can we just finish cleaning up first? Then we can talk."

You waited a moment before nodding. Getting back to work, you made sure to work as fast as you could. You were growing concerned over what Steve could possibly be so worried about. Once the store was cleaned and locked up, Steve took your hand and led you to the truck. He helped you in quietly before going around to the driver's side. Steve began driving to the studio in silence.