Arteline

III

Easley was surprised to see Arteline already back from her quick errand. "You were quick," he remarked, trying to hide the hint of relief he felt that her return had given him an excuse to stop thinking about his internal struggle. "Did you get everything you needed?"

Arteline smiled, setting her supplies down on the table. "Yep! They had everything I needed, and they also had some new brushes, so I got a few of those too."

As Arteline settled down, she noticed Easley's sketches on the table. She leaned forward to examine them more closely, her eyes roaming over the papers, taking in every stroke and detail.

"These are looking a bit... different," she commented, her brow furrowing slightly as she scrutinized the sketches. Compared to his usual work, these sketches were darker, the lines rougher, the shading less nuanced.

Easley knew immediately what she meant, and he silently cursed himself again. Of course she would notice the discrepancies in his work. He tried to dismiss her comment with a casual wave of his hand. "Yeah, uh, just experimenting a bit," he said, hoping she wouldn't pry further.

Arteline didn't seem entirely convinced, but she didn't press the issue. "I can see that," she said, her tone suggesting that she wasn't fooled by his nonchalance. "They seem...more intense, somehow."

Easley swallowed, feeling like he was being observed under a microscope. "Yeah, I guess. Needed a change of pace, you know." he mumbled, looking anywhere but at her eyes.

Easley felt a bit of anxiety. Tomorrow was going to be hellish, trying to act normal around her when he was a mess of conflicting emotions inside. But he couldn't back out now, not when she was looking at him with those expectant eyes, challenging him to keep his cool.

He couldn't take it anymore. He needed some space, some fresh air to clear his mind. Easley stood up abruptly and headed outside, trying to shake off the sense of suffocation he was feeling.

Arteline, blissfully unaware of the turmoil she was causing in Easley, returned to their room and started to organize her new supplies. She hummed a cheerful tune to herself, excited about the possibilities the new paints and brushes open.

She couldn't wait to use them tomorrow to paint the beautiful morning light, and to do it with Easley by her side. The thought of him painting with her brought a smile to her lips. She had always enjoyed his artistic company, his input and his perspective.

But there was something different about him today, something that she couldn't quite put her finger on. He had seemed a bit distant, a bit edgy. She wondered if it was just one of his mood swings, or if something else was bothering him.

As she laid out her new brushes and paints, she made a mental note to ask him about it later. Maybe he was just stressed about something or needed some space. Whatever it was, she was sure it would resolve itself eventually.

With her supplies neatly arranged on the dresser, she sat down at the edge of the bed, her mind still on Easley. He was always so quiet, so reserved. But it was part of his charm, his stoicism contrasted nicely with her energetic personality.

She had always found it endearing, the way he would just observe things quietly, taking everything in with his intense eyes. She wondered what was going on inside his head sometimes, what thoughts and emotions he kept hidden beneath that stoic facade.

But she respected his privacy, she knew he would open up to her if and when he was ready. Until then, she would just continue to be supportive and understanding, like she had always been.

Feeling a bit tired after the day's events, she decided to take a short nap before dinner. She lied down on the bed, closing her eyes and letting herself relax, her thoughts slowly drifting away as she drifted off to sleep.