Sculpt me like a pretty boy

Ch V

Another two days passed and Buck had declined multiple offers to go to the Diaz's house. He felt bad each time. A small guilty feeling in his stomach turned getting bigger and bigger. Honestly he wouldn't mind telling Eddie just about what he had been doing. Especially after their conversation in the gym.

But a part of him was worried Eddie would make fun of him. That was the illogical side of his brain. Even if he knew Eddie wouldn't dare laugh or judge his hobby. He still feared his reaction. If anyone's opinion in this world mattered and not including Maddy or Bobby and Athena. He would pick Eddie and Chris any day.

He was a superhero to Chris. And he was Eddie's best friend, his partner and someone he could always rely on. He didn't want to ruin that. Ruin the way they perceived him. But in reality he knew just how much he was overreacting. But he also knew just how some people could be. Some people were so 'macho' their vision could become cloudy.

Buck was basically at the studio more time then he was at his own loft. But that didn't mean much. He was barely ever at his loft. He spent most of his time at Eddie's or at work. And partly with his sister especially since she became pregnant. Not enough to stay every night with her. Not like how much he spent at Eddie's.

But here he didn't even have to speak to the assistant at the front desk. He didn't have to wait for Gabriella. He just slipped through the door and into the studio area. Where the real work was done. He slipped his apron on. He basically claimed the red apron from the moment he started.

He didn't need to ask or wait for Gabriella. He just grabbed a thing of clay and if there wasn't any out and for him to take grabs. He grabbed wet soggy clay and wedged it by hand. Buck didn't know he was going to enjoy sculpting so much. All he had made so far was one cup that the rim was uneven. Another cup and finally a mug. But the handle was too short in his opinion.

He was a little too critical of himself.

That's the problem. Sculpting was supposed to be a hobby to take his mind off work and family. Something he could do easily and let loose of his problems. Give him time to not think. To just relax. But he wanted to be the best. He was competitive and he knew it. He wanted to get the hang of it and be proud of his artwork.

Gabriella was nice. She was just as awesome as he assumed she was. She was close to her fifties and she didn't take anyone's shit. Once someone came in for a class and gave her attitude. After the second time Buck watched as she kicked his sorry ass out the door. And he didn't think she even gave him a refund.

They eventually grew closer within the passing weeks. Making jokes and gossiping over anything and everything. They also learned they had a few similarities. They both loved the same band. A slow moving beat by an indie band. They both talked too much. About anything really. And they both have Adhd.

It was nice to talk someone away from his life. Away from the 118 or his sister and of course his family. Eddie and christopher. He could tell her about them. About all of them. And she hadn't met any one of them. So it was easier to spill feelings or vent to her. Maybe it wasn't exactly healthy venting to his therapist wife. But hey she's the one that sent him to her.

Buck grabbed the piece of clay and sat down at his usual wheel. He enjoyed working facing the wall. Giving him a good view of the door. To anyone coming in and out. Which wasn't much. Unless Brad the assistant walked in. It was pretty much empty. Gabriella had a night class and everyone else was just walk-ins.

He had been on the wheel for maybe ten minutes. When the door opened Gabriella walked in. A coffee in hand and a bag in the other. That's how they found themselves sitting at the wheels. Sharing burgers and fries. Clay up to their elbows and a little on their clothing. Or a lot of clay on Gabriella's clothes. Once you touched the clay it was like it never left you.