Drawn To You (GirlxGirl)

Part 7

Allie's P.O.V

The next morning as I was driving to Jessie's studio, my phone rang and I smiled when I saw the name flash up on my cars dashboard. I answered the call and my best friend's voice came pounding through the speakers.

"Where have you been girl? I miss you!" Lola spoke enthusiastically.

"Hey stranger" I started, feeling guilty for my lack of attention towards my friends this summer. "I've just been busy, I'm sorry".

There was a pause after that, like Lola was wracking her brains for things that could have kept me busy this summer.

"You haven't started studying for your exams already, have you?" She asked me.

I laughed nervously, giving her the answer she was probably expecting.

"Allie those exams are still months away, you better have been having fun this summer too!" My best friend warned me.

I sighed, thinking about all of the fun I could have had but didn't. Mark and I had spent lots of time together over the past couple of months but I couldn't remember the last time I had real fun, or laughed until my stomach hurt, or didn't take myself too seriously.

"Yeah, loads of fun" I lied to Lola.

Lola laughed, not convinced I was telling the truth.

"Well tomorrow is Friday.. You, me and Casey are going out for drinks. I'll pick you up at 7. Love ya, bye" I didn't have a chance to reply before the line disconnected.

I couldn't think about my new plans for Friday for long, as I realised I was already at the street where Jessie's studio was located. The old cobblestones under my feet reminded me of the day before, and my heart started to beat a little faster as I approached the building.

I stepped inside the building and that same scent of paint flooded around me. I was beginning to really like that smell but the feeling of not belonging that I'd had yesterday was still there. Today it was mingled with something else though. Anticipation, maybe.

"Hello there!" a bright voice called out, pulling me from my thoughts.

I turned to see a young man standing behind a small desk near the entrance. He was striking, with high cheekbones, flawless skin, and perfectly styled hair that had a subtle ombre effect, fading from dark brown to a rich caramel. He wore a fitted white shirt that emphasized his lean frame, tucked into black trousers, and a pair of polished loafers.

"You must be Allie," he said, stepping around the desk to greet me. "I'm Liam, Jessie's assistant slash receptionist slash whatever-else-she-needs-me-to-be."

"Hi, Liam," I said, smiling back at him. His energy was infectious, and I immediately felt a little more at ease. "Nice to meet you."

"Likewise!" He looked me up and down, not in a judgmental way, but more like he was assessing something, figuring out where I fit into the studio's vibe. "Jessie's just finishing up something. She should be out in a sec. Can I get you anything? Water? Coffee? Tea?"

"A coffee would be great, thank you" I politely accepted his offer.

"I'm on it, just make yourself comfortable" he said, before turning and heading into what I could only assume was a small kitchen.

I walked slowly towards the same coffee table from yesterday and hovered beside the chair, not wanting to seem 'too comfortable' by sitting down before Jessie arrived.

The studio had a different feel to it today. It was as though the energy in the room had shifted, becoming more focused and intense. In the middle of the space, a large blank canvas stood on the easel, like it was waiting for something-or someone-to bring it to life.