Dainty and Dauntless

Dazed:

It was a usual day, breathing, living on while getting my daily lesson on nonchalance. It was a really my usual day... well, until she stepped in sight, my bland view. It was like my sight had been restored, painted with the most enchanting colors and I loved what was in front of me, for the first time in a really long time. Do my eyes deceive me or do I finally see the most beautiful piece of art? The sun can't compare, it dare not stand before her. She left as fast as she had appeared, leaving me blind yet again. She might never know how badly I wanted to follow her to wherever. Because of her, I might skip my next lesson.

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Natalie sketched down on paper, in her scrap book, patiently and skillfully. The pencil scrapped on and on with light strokes bringing the drawing to life. Her heart lightened up with each intentional line leading up to the creation of her recent masterpiece. As she drew, she thought about coloring and bolding it later.
She marveled at her improvement.
They were going to love this one, she felt it.

Behind her, a not-so-cheer-full Garf made his way towards her, his hands deep in his pockets, shoes dragging on the floor and face as low as his mood. He hated thinking about all the assignments he had with the little time at hand. Teachers could be so demanding at times.
He leant against Natalie's table, giving it a slight push and waited for Natalie's attention.
He needed to talk to someone who wouldn't judge him for the laziness, someone like this innocent soul. Natalie looked up to find Garf's usual fed-up face.

"Oh dear, What's up, grouchy?" She joked.

Garf smiled weakly, "this grouch of a boy is rethinking his choices in studies. There must be another key to success, and I bet it's more fun than confinements, assignments, restrictions and head throbbing books"
Natalie laughed and set down her pencil, he was at it again.

"Miss Annalise is like that. You should be used to it by now dear" Garf pouted instead, hoping to get her to give in, "Fine, I will help you, again," she said and rolled her eyes.

"Yeah? See that's why I adore you Natalie, and don't worry I will help too", Garf grinned and Natalie smiled back at him, glad that he was feeling a bit better.

Garf bent down at the table, he had no intention of heading back to his seat yet. The back of the class wasn't too entertaining with everyone tending to the assignment.

"So, when do we start handling this work? I am thinking we— ahem," Natalie couldn't help notice that Garf was destructed by the drawing on top of the page.
Right! She hadn't shown it to him yet.

"You like it?," she asked.

He turned the scrapbook to face him, intrigue in every movement. Natalie felt overwhelmed with joy at his reaction, Garf loved art as much as she did, and if he approved of this piece then everything would have been worth it.
He looked at it quietly and placed his hand to his chin, raised his eyebrows and a smile spread across his face.

"Nice, I love it already"

"You do?," Natalie sort of squealed.

"Have you had a reference for it?"

"Yes, I borrowed the idea and went on to switch it up in that way. What do you think about the detailing, too much?" Natalie asked while she pulled out the reference photo on one of the pages in a magazine.

Garf looked from the photo to the drawing, once, twice, three times and glanced at Natalie.
"This is brilliant, Natalie" he smiled cutely.

"Aww, thanks Garfield. That means a lot to me."
Natalie pouted her lips as she leaned in forward to look at both drawings.
She really loved that Garf thought it was good, that was a major bonus point.

They looked like two critics talking about their latest intriguing piece, when he spoke she nodded and when she talked he fell silent with thought.
Both were still observing closely, drawn in and didn't notice Elise entering their classroom. She was marching straight to Natalie's seat, smiling nervously as she neared and when she reached pushed Natalie sideways with her hips as she settled down on the seat with her.

"Oh!"

Both Natalie and Garf were startled.
They looked at Elise who, looked round the class, then looked between them, giggled and whispered,

"Oh my God Natalie, your classroom is so scary. I had all eyes on me."
She squeezed Natalie's arm and shook it crazy.

"I told you. That's why I don't come over to yours, I would literally freeze," Natalie assured and the two girls laughed at themselves, minding less about Garf who only looked on at them.

"So, what brings you to this dreadful stare off contest?" Natalie asked curiously.
"I can't seem to find an extra pen. Oh, hi there", she waved at Garf who didn't respond back immediately.

He had been quiet, listening but mostly watching this stranger talk. He was intrigued by how she was talking, the way she shrieked, giggled and laughed all the while emphasizing how she was embarrassed. She kept on talking and talked more, definitely nervous.
Her acknowledgment had caught him off guard.

"Oh, hello. How do you do?" His reply was low.

"Elise?," Natalie turned to face Garf. "This is Garfield... and this is Elise," she touched both of them, like an elderly introducing two teens she really wanted to get along.
Garf looked down shyly at Elise and waved. Elise waved back with a smile then pointed to him and paused with eyes squinted.

"Garf? Ho!... the coolest boy ever," she blurted. Right, Natalie?" Natalie nodded in confirmation and Garf slightly blushed.
He was not in control.

"Well, here you go," Natalie handed the smiley girl a pen. "You will get to know about his cool vibe later alright but first, you better catch up with Mr. Roller's class"

"Right! Thanks, see you later dear and good day, coolest boy"
Elise skipped to the front and glanced back to grin at Natalie then disappeared out the door.
Garf's eyes had followed her and had stayed glued to the doorway.
Natalie looked at him and smiled, he was standing up, mimicking a statue, with the scrap book held in hand and neck turned to the front.
She wasn't the only one now.

"Ahem!"
Natalie giggled uncontrollably and Garf turned slowly with a sly smile on his face.

"Pardon me but do I see the 'high school is too boring to have any love interest for me Garfield' actually getting a love interest? In high school?"
Natalie giggled even more when he remained silent.

"You would die telling her?"

He sighed and rubbed his chin,

"Yes, Natalie. I think I would."

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