Brushstrokes Of The Heart: A Love In Healing

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"So enchanting,

Watching, as you begin to steal my empty heart

Away from me and fill it in with brand-new dreams."

- Erika Wingo

                                                                              𝐒𝐨𝐟𝐢𝐚

                                                ˚₊‧ა 🎨🖌️ ໒ ‧₊˚. | ♪ Reunion by Mulherin

I finally made it. Silverbrook, a city full of life. I couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and nervousness about starting this new chapter in my life. I'm standing in front of my new apartment building, suitcases in hand while people pass me by. They probably think I'm crazy and I don't blame them. If I saw a random girl standing in front of a building, staring at it like it's her Lord and Saviour, I'd think that bitch had a few screws loose too.

With that thought in mind, I managed to walk inside the building without dropping a single thing. No sooner than I pull out my key, and that door flies open, I drop every bag in my hand. I let out the fattest sigh of relief before kicking the door closed with my foot and stepping over my bags. I fully take in my apartment and the view of the skyscrapers. Thank god this place already came furnished, all that's missing is a touch of me in here.

The next couple of hours are spent touching up the place and by then, I'm beat. Another sigh leaves my lips and I put my long, curly brown hair into a messy bun. I look at the front room, once bland with pops of colour, now filled with plants, old paintings I did, scattered paint cans, canvas, and easels my friends gave me as a parting gift. Fuck, I miss them. The hardest thing about leaving a place isn't leaving, it's the fact that you're disconnecting from the people and memories you leave behind.

Leaving Seattle was probably the hardest thing I had to do. I crack a small smile, feeling proud of myself. I stare at everything for a moment, when all of a sudden, something wraps around my leg. A gasp escapes my lips and it takes everything in me not to scream. I slowly look down and I see my fluffy gray cat, Milo, wrapping his tail around my leg. When our eyes meet, he meows, and I burst out in laughter. His fur is soft and warm against my skin, and I can't help but smile at the lovable little fur ball at my feet.

I bend down and scratch behind his ears just the way he likes it. "You scared me, Mi."

He purrs as I keep scratching, obviously not giving a damn that he just scared the shit out of me. I had Milo since I was seven. I saw his small little body on the side of the road one day and begged my mom to get him help. She didn't want to at first but once I let out the waterworks, she had a change of heart. We took him to the vet and nursed him back to health. 17 years later and he's still with me. I stand up after giving him his last few seconds of scratches and head over to my canvas, my baby.

Soft music plays as I set my things up. I love painting more than Karens love causing problems. Painting is and always will be my safe haven. I started painting when I was 12 and I haven't been able to put a brush down since. I put random colours on my worn-out wood panel and get to work. I paint the canvas with shades of red, yellow, and orange forming a sunset. After grabbing a pencil, I start sketching out the view of all the tall buildings outside my window, taking note of every detail.

I outline it with a sharpie and finish the painting with hues of grey and dashes of pink. Once the canvas is dry enough, I turn it over and write on the back "First Night In Silverbrook. 08-07-24". I draw a small heart next to it before pulling out my phone, turning the canvas around, and taking a picture. Immediately, I posted the picture on Instagram with the caption "Had to paint my surroundings, more art coming soon. <3".

After closing my phone, I head to my room. I threw my clothes off and turned the shower on, washing the day away. The warm water hits every inch of my body, pulling a moan from me. I bask in the feeling before scrubbing myself clean. After I step out of the shower, I take a minute to look at myself. I do this so I can remind myself that I'm perfect just the way I am. From the curls in my hair to the natural blush on my rosy lips and pale skin, from the delicate hue of my chubby light pink cheeks to the depth of my hazel eyes, from the arch of my eyebrows to the slope of my nose, from the softly curved shape of my ears to the petite and delicate frame of my body, from the top of my head to the tips of my toes, I am complete just the way I am.

I smile at the sight before me and change into a tank top and a pair of boy shorts. I fix my bun, and as soon as my head hits the pillow, I fall asleep.