"What Are You Waiting For?" || ORIGINAL STORY.

Chapter Sixteen.

Darren's POV.

The next morning, I woke up, the events of the previous evening rushing through my mind.

Had I really agreed to pose for a painting?

And to help her paint it?

Was I crazy?

But the more I thought about it, the more excited I got.

The idea of being part of her artistic process was both intriguing and flattering.

Besides, I had a pretty good feeling I'd be spending a lot more time with Tanya in the coming days...

I quickly got up to brush my teeth and..

I don't know why, but I decided to take a shower.

The cold water felt nice on my skin as I stood under the showerhead, letting it wash away the last remnants of sleep.

As the water cascaded down my body, I suddenly became conscious of my appearance.

I'd be posing for a painting, after all.

Should I.. try to look good?

A little voice in my head whispered that the reason I wanted to look good was because Tanya would be looking at me.

Weird.

I shook the thought away.

It wasn't like I was trying to impress Tanya or anything.

I was just being.. considerate, right?

I finished quickly and stepped out of the shower, grabbing a towel to dry off.

As I looked at myself in the mirror, the voice in my head whispered again:

'You're trying to impress her.'

'No, I'm not.'

'Yes, you are. And you know it.'

I stared at my reflection, suddenly feeling a little unnerved at the conversation in my own mind.

No, no, no. 

I was not trying to impress her.

I had a girlfriend, after all.

I..

I just wanted to look presentable.

I finished drying my hair and then got dressed.

As I walked out of the bathroom, my phone buzzed, indicating a message.

Thinking it might be Anika, I picked it up but was surprised to see a text from Tanya instead.

'Hey, good morning,' She had simply texted.

A smile tugged at the corner of my lips at the unexpected greeting.

I replied with a simple good morning back, secretly feeling pleased that she had reached out first.

Soon enough, another message popped up on my screen.

'So.. I've got a favour to ask.'

I raised an eyebrow, curious about what favour she could possibly want.

'Yeah? What's up?' I typed back.

'I'm going to skip school for painting.. do you think you could maybe do the same.. That way we both wouldn't be tired?'

I was a little surprised.

Skipping school?

For a painting?