It's Not an Existential Crisis

Chapter 39

Chapter 39

(Warning: In this update, intense situations occur so if you get easily triggered, please do not read this chapter)

*****ARIELLA's POV*****

I was painting really quirky swirls onto some leaves to go on the outside of the hotel. It was really cool because we would detail the stem and veins with green, glow in the dark paint so that when the black lights are activated, it would pop with color. I still had to do probably 400 more of those, which would take a couple more hours.

"Hey crew, gather around," Pj projected, " As you can see, it's getting kind of late so if you'd like to stay, I will sticking around to finish up a couple of last minute things. I completely understand if you'd like to go home, it's been a long day. It's up to you. So if you're going home, have a good night everyone and drive home safe! Good work today!"

I looked around to see what the majority of the crew was going to do. It looked like most of them were planning on leaving to the point where it was going to be me and maybe only one person.

"Ari," Pj put his arm around me, "are you heading out?"

"Not quite yet, I want to finish these leaves just to satisfy myself. I usually go crazy if I leave a project unfinished." I rocked in my heels.

"I'm the same way, here let me help you with those." He came over to join me. I handed him a pair of gloves and put on new ones for myself. My engagement ring accidentally popped a hole in the old pair. Pj and I painted away, laughing at his stories of how he got ideas for specific episodes when someone entered the studio.

"Clyde, my old pal, where have you been the past couple of days?" Pj got up to greet him.

Pj was right. He hasn't been at work for awhile.

"I'm so sorry mate, I have been busy with other galleries and events, but now my schedule is clear." He rocked from foot to foot.

"Well," he gestured over to me, "Ariella and I are painting an army of leaves, care to join?"

He looked at me and then looked away, "Uh yeah, sure, I-I'd love to."

"Oh hey Peej, it seems we're are almost out of green glow in the dark paint. Do we have more in storage?" I asked as Clyde sat down next to me and grabbed a paint brush.

"Uhhhh I think that was the last of it, but that's no problem. I can run to the Tesco a couple blocks away. Will you guys be okay here for like half an hour?"

As much as I really didn't want to be left alone with Clyde, I just wanted to get that project over with. I nodded, "We will be fine."

"Okay, well I have my cell with me so if either of you two need anything, you have my number," He winked and laughed at himself as he walked toward the backdoor of the studio. Clyde and I watched him leave and then returned back to painting. We remained silent for a good 5 minute span. Why weren't we talking? It's not like we were mad at each other or anything. He just started acting a little differently ever since he saw Dan at the coffee shop that one day. I finally decided to break the awkward tension.

"So.....uh- how have you been? I haven't talked to you in awhile," I kept my eyes on the leaf I was detailing.

"I have been okay, I guess..." He shrugged.

"So," I tapped the end of my paint brush on the floor, "you said you have been at art galleries, right? Were they yours or were they-"

"Do you really think I have been at art galleries Ariella? Oh your poor innocent mind..." He shook his head with a slight chuckle under his breath. What did he mean by that?