Cold Water

TWELVE

                    ♡BRANDON♡

  As we drove back home, the city lights flickered through the car windows, casting fleeting shadows across the interior.

   Athalia's music played softly in the background, a soothing end to what had turned out to be a surprisingly pleasant day.

  I glanced over at her as she navigated through the evening traffic.

  She had this easy, contented smile on her face, and I could see how much she enjoyed our time together.

  I felt a mix of gratitude and awkwardness; I wasn't used to days like this day, where I felt so genuinely at ease with someone.

  As we pulled up to my house, I noticed how dark it had gotten. The porch light was on, and I could see Aunt Dina standing by the door, waiting for me.

  I felt a wave of warmth and appreciation for her, for how she'd always been there for me.

  Athalia parked the car and turned to me. "Here we are. Thanks for coming with me today, Brandon. It was a lot of fun."

  I opened the door and stepped out, feeling a bit reluctant to leave. "Yeah, thanks for inviting me. I really enjoyed it."

  She gave me a warm smile. "I'll see you at school, then?"

  "Definitely," I replied, feeling a sense of ease I hadn't expected.

  As she drove away, I walked up the path to my front door, taking a deep breath.

  Aunt Dina opened the door before I could even knock, her face lighting up with a welcoming smile.

  "Hey, Brandon. How was your day?" she asked, her voice filled with genuine curiosity.

  I smiled, feeling a sense of happiness I hadn't felt in a long time. "It was great, Aunt Dina. We went to an art show and then had ice cream. It was... really nice."

  Her eyes twinkled with warmth as she ushered me inside. "I'm so glad to hear that. You've seemed so much happier lately. It's wonderful to see you smiling like this."

  I felt a surge of gratitude for her, for how she always seemed to notice the little things and care so deeply. "Thanks. I guess I've been feeling a bit better."

  We sat down for a late dinner, and Aunt Dina chatted about her day while I recounted a few highlights from mine.

  I could tell she was genuinely pleased to hear about my day with Athalia. It was nice to see her happy for me.

  After dinner, I helped Aunt Dina with the dishes, and I headed up to my room, and I reflected on the day. It had been one of the better ones I'd had in a long time.

  Athalia's presence had been a surprising but welcome change.

  It felt like there was a little more light in my life, and for the first time in a while, I looked forward to what tomorrow might bring.

  Once I was settled in my room, I pulled out my phone, feeling a little nervous but excited.

  The day with Athalia had been one of the best in recent memory, and I wanted to keep the positive momentum going.

  I opened up our text conversation, and after a moment of hesitation, started typing:

  Me: Hey Athalia, I just wanted to say thanks again for today. I really enjoyed the art show. The pieces you pointed out were amazing. I especially liked the mural-it was my favourite.

  I paused, looking at the screen. I was glad I'd been able to share my thoughts with her.

  I felt a bit bolder now, thinking about the drawings I'd been working on lately. I decided to add:

  Me: I was thinking... if you're free tomorrow, maybe you'd like to come over?

  I hit send and set the phone down, feeling a mix of anticipation and nerves.

  It was a bit out of character for me to invite someone over, but Athalia had a way of making things feel more natural, more right.

  I hoped she'd be as excited about it as I was. It would be nice to share my work with someone who seemed to understand and appreciate art as much as she did.

  As I waited for her response, I glanced at my desk, where I had the drawing of Athalia I'd finished earlier.

  It was a depiction of her in a serene and thoughtful pose, reflecting her positive and bubbly personality.

  I smiled, thinking about how her reaction might be. With that thought, I decided to relax for the night, looking forward to her reply and what tomorrow might bring.

  I kept checking my phone, waiting for a response from Athalia. As the minutes ticked by and then turned into hours, I couldn't shake the gnawing feeling of anxiety.

  What if she didn't want to come over? What if she was just being polite when she said she enjoyed the art show? My thoughts spiralled, and I started overthinking every detail.

  My mind went back to the times when my dad used to criticize me-those moments of harsh words and disappointing looks.

  He'd always said I'd never amount to anything, that my art was just a waste of time.

  The echoes of those hurtful comments felt louder than ever, seeping into my thoughts and amplifying my doubts.

   The room seemed to close in around me. I could feel my chest tightening, my breath coming in short, shallow bursts. It was like being trapped in a suffocating fog of anxiety.

  My hands trembled, and I clenched them into fists, trying to ground myself.

   Just when the anxiety felt overwhelming, my phone rang. I jumped, startled by the sudden sound, and saw Athalia's name on the screen.

  I hesitated for a moment, but then answered, my voice shaky. "Hello?"

  "Hey, Brandon," Athalia's voice came through, calm and reassuring.

   "Sorry I didn't text back. I was in the shower, then I realised my phone was dead and didn't want to leave you hanging. I thought it'd be better to call."

  I took a deep breath, feeling the tension start to ease a bit with the sound of her voice. "Oh, no problem. I was just... nevermind. Sorry for bothering you."

  She laughed softly, the sound like a comforting balm. "You're not bothering me at all. I'm actually really excited to see your drawings. I just needed to clean up a bit before getting back to you."

  "Okay. " I said, feeling a rush of relief.

  Athalia said warmly. "So, should we plan for around the same time as today? Maybe in the afternoon?"

  "Yeah, that sounds good," I agreed, feeling more at ease.

  "I'll see you then," she said, her voice filled with a genuine warmth that made me smile.

  As we ended the call, I felt a weight lift off my shoulders. Athalia's reassurance had a calming effect, and the anxiety that had gripped me began to dissipate.

  I took a moment to calm my breathing and remind myself that it was okay to feel nervous, but it didn't have to control me.

   I went to bed with a renewed sense of anticipation, looking forward to sharing my work with Athalia and hoping that tomorrow would bring more of the positive moments I'd experienced today.

♥︎♥︎♡♡♡♡♡