Betrayal

Chapter 40

Two Weeks

Ali

I'm clutching my portrait tightly against my chest as I walk slowly down the sidewalk. A smile touches my lips. I was just given a very good grade on it. My smile spreads until it hurts my cheeks and I bite at my bottom lip to try to stop it.

It's only our second assignment and I did just as well on the first one. This one was to illustrate how you feel while using a different technique than the one you're most skilled in. I chose charcoal. And I did it of myself. I must have done well at illustrating the anguish I've been in and how sad I've felt because my professor seemed very pleased by it. He went so far as to say it was moving and invoked emotion.

"Hey."

I stop and look quickly. It's someone from my class. His name comes to me after a moment of thought. Thomas. It's such a small class. Most of my classes are, so it's easy to remember names.

"Hi."

He's smoking a cigarette and smiles at me. I return it. He takes a pack from his pocket and offers it out to me. I hesitate, then shake my head.

"No, thank you, though."

"Your portrait was amazing," he says quietly. "Very sad."

"Oh... yeah, well... thank you."

I sound so awkward and out of place. He's attractive. He has dark eyes and messy hair and tattoos on his hands. His nose is pierced, a silver hoop on one of his nostrils, and a very strong jaw line. I've noticed him. He smiles at me a lot. We've talked a couple times in class and in the hall outside of class, but I've mostly avoided him.

"Do you have anymore classes today?"

"No, that's my last one."

"Mine, too. Glad it's the weekend... I wanted to see if maybe you'd want to get a coffee with me. Or maybe a late lunch?"

My cheeks blush. I instantly think of Warren. It gives me pause, seeing the image of him in my mind. I haven't seen him since the day in the park. I've avoided seeing Lola and Dominic, too. It's too much for me. The last time we spoke was when she told me about Warren's reaction to her pregnancy. I distanced myself after.

I don't know if Thomas wants to be friends or something more than that, but I'm not ready for anything. Maybe a friendship, but certainly nothing more. I can't. It's too soon and I'm too raw.

"I can't."

He reminds me of Alexander when he continues to smile and nods his head. It saddens me for a moment.

"Worth a try," he says and laughs. "I figured you'd say no. No offense, but you're kind of intimidating."

I laugh, too.

"Me? Intimidating? I don't think so."

"You are. I hardly ever see you smile. And you're very beautiful."

My cheeks blush further and I laugh again. He's very forward. He definitely says what's on his mind. It makes him even more attractive. It makes me queasy that I'm finding someone else attractive like this and I'm feeling a little bit of a connection to this stranger. It's obvious he wants to be more than friends.

I force a smile at him.

"Thank you for that... I'll see you next week."

He smirks and nods his head at me. I continue to walk away until I make it to the subway platform. It's loud and busy and the train is crammed full of people making their commutes. I just want to get home. I feel fatigued all at once and with it comes panic deep in my gut.