Drawn To You (GirlxGirl)

Part 12

Allie's P.O.V

Sunday morning crept up on me faster than I'd anticipated. As I stood outside Jessie's studio, I tried to steady my breathing, giving myself a mental pep talk.

'You can do this, Allie. It's just another day at work. Friday night was just a drunken blur—nothing more'

But no matter how much I tried to convince myself, I couldn't shake the embarrassment.

I shook my head, trying to push the thoughts aside. This wasn't the time to dwell on it. I was here to get the job done, to earn the money I needed for my textbooks, and nothing else.

Just as I was about to gather the courage to knock on the door, it swung open, and I jumped, startled.

"Oh! Hey, didn't mean to scare you." Liam grinned, stepping outside with a cigarette in hand. "Just taking a quick smoke break. Jessie's already inside setting up. You can go on in."

I managed a weak smile, feeling a little embarrassed that he'd caught me lingering outside. "Thanks, Liam."

He gave me a nod before lighting his cigarette and leaning against the wall. I walked past him, my heart pounding in my chest as I entered the studio.

As soon as I stepped inside, the familiar scent of paint and canvas filled my senses. The space was the same, yet something felt different.

My eyes immediately found Jessie, who was busy setting up her materials. She looked a little different today—there was a subtle shift in her appearance that I couldn't quite put my finger on. Maybe it was the way she'd done her makeup, or the extra bit of effort she seemed to have put into her look. But then again, she was still wearing those same overalls that hugged her figure in all the right places.

I tried to pull myself together as I walked further into the studio. "Good morning," I said, hoping my voice sounded more composed than I felt.

Jessie looked up, her eyes locking with mine.

"Morning, Allie," she replied, a slight nervous tone in her voice.

There was an awkward pause, and I couldn't help but notice how different today felt compared to our last session.

I hesitated, feeling the need to clear the air before we got started.

"Hey, um, I just wanted to apologise again for Friday night. My friends can be a bit much when they're drunk. I hope we didn't ruin your evening."

Jessie's expression softened, and she shook her head with a small smile.

"Don't worry about it. It was a surprise, sure, but you didn't ruin anything. Your friends seem fun—I hope you had a good night." She said and I felt some of the tension ease at her words.

"Thanks. It was a good night, just a little strange" I admitted and I got the sense she knew what I was talking about.

Jessie's smile lingered as she turned her attention back to the canvas.

"So, I was thinking," she began, changing the subject. "After today, I should have enough to finish this painting without needing you to come in again for this one."

I nodded, trying to appear pleased, but a pang of disappointment hit me. I'd enjoyed the first session a few days ago more than I realised, and the idea of not being in the studio for a while felt wrong, somehow.

"That's great," I said, forcing a smile. "I'm glad it's coming along well."

"Yeah, it is," Jessie said, her eyes flicking over me briefly, before she turned her attention back to her materials. "Let's get started then."

The session began awkwardly, both of us seemingly more aware of each other than before.

I did my best to follow Jessie's instructions, but every now and then, our eyes would meet, sending sparks of tension through me that made it difficult to stay still.

Jessie worked in silence for most of the session, sketching with her pencil while I held the same pose as last week.

Jessie's concentration face was intense yet reassuring. Her eyebrows low, her mouth ever so slightly open and her head tilted to one side. I hoped she was too busy concentrating on me to notice that I was concentrating on her.

My stance must have been exactly what she needed today because she didn't once come over to adjust my positioning like she did last week. Her feet stayed glued to the floor at the other side of the canvas and I felt myself disappointed at the distance between us.

'Pull yourself together Allie' I screamed at myself in my head.

Eventually, Jessie stepped back, her gaze shifting from the canvas to me. "I think that's enough for today," she said, her voice low and almost reluctant.

I relaxed my body slowly.

"Okay. I guess I'll wait to hear from you about the next one then?" I asked.

Jessie's eyes lingered on me for a moment longer before she nodded.

"Yeah, I'll text you when I'm ready to start the next painting." She smiled, and I sensed a barrier that hadn't been there before.

We stood there for a second, neither of us moving, as if we were both hesitant to leave the moment behind. But then, I forced myself to break the spell, offering a quick smile before turning to grab my things.

"See you soon," I mumbled, my voice barely above a whisper.

"Yeah, see you," Jessie replied, almost in a sigh.

I hurried out of the studio, barely registering Liam's cheerful goodbye as I passed him on my way out. As soon as I was outside, I felt the cool air hit my face, and I took a deep breath before getting into my car.

I didn't know how long it would be until I saw Jessie again, but in our time apart I knew I had to try to figure out what it is about her that makes me so anxious, and get over it quickly.