Your Red Paint Is Mine

Prolouge - Elaine

And there he stood, in all his beauty. A familiar sense of comfort washed over me as I watched him.

Paintbrush in his hand, dutifully painting a bouquet of pristine white roses on the canvas that stood before him. A mere surface for his ideas, continuously losing itself as it was helplessly covered up by his passion, his drive and his motivation to prove himself in the world.

It came again. That familiar ache in my chest. The ache that made my lungs suddenly breathless as the heat rose to my cheeks. At that moment he turned to me and I froze. Cerulean blue eyes, golden blonde hair, tan skin, and a smile made my heart go faster than it should at the sight of my best friend.

I liked Jude.

I knew it. And sometimes I wish he did too. Maybe he does. I don't know. But truth be told, this won't go anywhere, this fleeting feeling I have. He’s my best friend. One of the few people in the world I trusted with my life. And the only one my heart chose to lay with.

It’s a curse really, a wry and twisted one. As though the universe and gods above were mocking me, making my content life crumble at the prospect of my heart wanting what my mind knew we couldn't have.

The wet tip of a brush grazed against my forehead, pulling me out of my trance as I looked up at him smiling at me with an endearing look that did awful things to my heart.

“Ellie? You’ve been staring for a while. Is everything alright?” he said, his tone soft and caring as he took off his paint stained apron leaving him in a white button down shirt and black trousers. He grabbed a tissue from the tissue box on the table beside us.

“Ah right, I just came to remind you of our trip to Hillaria House in the North early tomorrow morning. Father said the housekeeper will be waiting for us all. Apparently there's an event at the house that requires the appearance of all members of the main household and external ones.” I uttered as I took the tissue from his hand and began to wipe off the strip of water that sat on my forehead.

He nodded as he took a step past me and out the room into the endless hallway. I fell into step with him as we sauntered in a comfortable silence. That's what I liked about Jude. I didn't feel the need to make conversation to fill the silence between us.

Unfortunately it wasn't as simple as that.

I'm lucky that it's dark at night. How would Jude react if he knew how fast my heart was beating or how breathing felt like the most impossible task in the world right now.

I craved his presence yet at the same time I loathed it.

I hated how he made me feel, how my bonfire of confidence seemed to turn into a kindle of a flame once he looked at me.

But even through all that he felt like a shadow in my life, a presence that would never ever no matter how long I live, one I could never live without.

From the day I met him in that alley I knew that Jude would have an everlasting effect on my life but eleven year old me who made the decision to drag him into my orbit never knew how strong that effect would be.

And I really wish she did.

“Here is our stop” the sound of a smooth, low voice brought me out of my trance as my eyes took in the familiar sight of my bedroom door.

“Good night, Elaine. Make sure to wake up early” Jude added as patted my shoulder. A friendly gesture to him but to me… I didn't even know what it was.

He stared at me and I stared at him before he smiled lightly and turned away to the hallway that led to his bedroom and left.

I wanted to stop him. Our interaction felt limited. Restrained. I should've stopped him and replied goodnight but I couldn't. I just froze.

I enter my room and shut the door behind me before leaning back against it.

Everything is the way it usually is. The plush bed sits in the center of the room, two brown nightstands on each side with a candle sitting on top of each. Large windows that go all the way to the top of the tall ceilings mark the wall facing the outside of the building adorned with long draping handmade curtains. Paintings of family events and personal portraits sit above the lit fireplace beside the door leading to the in suite bathroom and on the other side was the door which led to the walk-in closet.

Despite the familiarity and comfort that lay in front of me I felt utterly and completely distraught.

                                                                                                                               

Hello everyone.
This is my first story so I'd be really grateful to receive advice on how to improve.

Please vote, give comments, share and stay tuned as I really like the story I've layed out for this

Love, Yevu.