If I Fell In Love With You

Chapter Nine

Two Days Later

Hazels Pov:

I've been thinking about Paul for the past two days and how kind-hearted he was the other night. He coped with the news better than I thought he would. Therefore, today I am searching for the most notable Christmas gift for him. I precisely know what to get him. I rushed out of my room at 7:00 AM, energized. I grabbed my coat and reached in my pocket. Empty.

"Shit, shit, shit!" I said, frustrated. "I forgot, dammit!"

John walked in the living room, in his bathrobe. He wiped his hazy eyes and let out a huge yawn. He scratched his head, "What did you forget?"

"I forgot I spent all my money. I had fifty dollars and I spent it all on painting supplies. I was suppose to get a present for... someone." I querulously whined. "I went a little over board with the supplies."

"Oh." John grieved. "Would you like me to lend you some money?"

"No thanks. It wouldn't be the same." I sighed. I took off my coat and sat on the arm of the chair.

"I've got an idea! Why don't you sell your paintings and earn enough money to buy the present?" John suggested.

"That's brilliant, John! I haven't sold my paintings in months. I better start now." I cheered. "Yay!"

"Yay!" he cheered back.

I ran through the hallway and slowly turned around. John was sitting on the chair reading the newspaper. I walked back to him and gave him a hug from behind. He was shocked and received the hug. I whispered "Thank you."

"You're welcome." he smiled. I ran back to my room and started painting away.

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The past three days I've locked myself in my room and only focused on my paintings. I've been surviving on my bathroom sink water and saltines, I hide them in my draw for a midnight snack. I'm a mess. I got paint all over my clothes and hands, I have a red smudge across my face, I haven't slept, I haven't showered and I have bags underneath my eyes. As my final results, I made twelve various different paintings. Some small, wide, large. Some with primary colors, secondary colors, mixed colors. Sometimes when I paint, my most creative and distinctive paintings take the shortest times and some could take forever. I was thinking of selling my paintings two dollars each and all together I would hopefully make enough money for the gift. I aspire the gift wont be too much money, I need a little too. I put a sheet on the floor so paint wouldn't stain it. I begin to work on my thirteenth painting. This one will be small but remarkable.

Two Hours Later

I'm exhausted. My head hurts, I have abdominal pain and my back is aching. However, I don't want to stop, I am determined to finish this painting. I hear footsteps from outside the hallway and someone trying to open the door.

"Hazel? Please open this door." John ordered me. I put my paint brush down and open the door halfway. John walked passed me and admired my paintings. "Oh my gosh, Hazel. These are beautiful."

"Thanks." I said embarrassed. I watched him as he esteemed my paintings. His eyes looked at me and he started giggling. "Why are you laughing?"

"You're untidiness. You've got red paint on your face." he laughed. I ran to the bathroom and dampened a cloth to clean my face.

"What's up? Why did you knock?" I inquired. I cleaned my face and walked back into my room. I sat on my bed and looked at John, John bent down and scrutinized a painting.