Unexpectedly

Chapter 35: Inspiration

Silence filled the air. It's a comfortable silence for Arianne, but kinda awkward for Erick. So he decided to change the topic.

Erick: "s-so.. do you already have a thing in mind? For your artwork?"
Arianne: "no... hehehe.. I couldn't think of something.."
Erick: " because you're being such a drama queen."
Arianne: "how about if you take my place? With all the pressure, do you think I co-"
Erick: "okay...okay, you can stop scolding me now."
Arianne: *pouting her lips* "hmph."
Erick: "do you have an inspiration for your piece?"
Arianne: "I don't actually know.. hehe"
Erick: "really... hmm.. what are your inspirations? What inspires you to draw?"
Arianne: "I'm not sure.."
Erick: "umm... how about places? What are your favorite places to go?"
Arianne: "uhh.. the park, the carnival, and the beach, especially when it's already sunset."
Erick: "ok.. so, are you willing to cut classes?"
Arianne: "what?! Are you crazy?!"
Erick: "oh come on, it's for the sake of your artwork."
Arianne: "but.. what if we get caught?"
Erick: "pff! Leave that to me."
Arianne: "if something bad happens to us, especially our grades, I'll tell your mom."
Erick: "yeah... yeah, whatever. Let's go."

Arianne followed Erick downstairs, down the hall, then they entered the clinic. She have a confused expression on her face, while Erick is so proud of what he's doing.

Erick: "ms. Philip, Arianne needs to go home."
Ms. Philip (school nurse): "why? Did something happen to her?"
Erick: "she's having a headache."
Ms. Philip: "where is she?"

Erick signaled Arianne to start acting like she have a very painful headache, and Arianne's a good actress.

Ms. Philip: "does it really hurt, dear?"
Arianne: "yes... o-ouch, my head.." (shit I'm so bad at this..)
Ms. Philip: "just stay here in the clinic and rest."
Erick: "but, she really needs to go home."
Ms. Philip: "it's just a headache."
Arianne: "o-ouch..."

She clutched her stomach and showed an in pain expression on her face as if she have a stomach ache.

Ms. Philip: "what's wrong? Are you okay?"
Arianne: "my stomach hurts, I really need to go to the bathroom."
Ms. Philip: "you can use the school's toilet."
Arianne: "I feel like I want to vomit.."
Erick: "please, she really needs to go home."
Ms. Philip: "but she can-"
Arianne: "ooouuuwww!!!"
Ms. Philip: "u-uh.. okay.. just go home, I'll just give an excuse for you to your teacher."
Erick: "thank you."

Erick and Arianne went outside the clinic and happily head for their lockers.

Erick: "yes, finally we're getting out of here."
Arianne: "I'll gonna regret this..."
Erick: "I don't think so.."
Arianne: "so what's your plan now? In order not to get caught."
Erick: "easy." *gives her his sweater* "just wear this.*
Arianne: "wait, you've been bringing your clothes?"
Erick: "well, I'm just prepared for this.", "go. Change your clothes, before one of our classmates sees us."

Arianne wear his sweater and Erick is done changing his clothes.
After that, they sneakily go out of the campus and went to the park.

They stroll around the park, then explore it. They head to the seaside carnival that they went before. Just like what they at the park, they just stroll around the place.

Finally when it's already sunset, Erick and Arianne sit on a bench facing the sea.

Arianne: "wow... the sunset is so beautiful."
Erick: "yeah..."

Arianne's thoughts while staring at the sunset.
"Inspiration for my artwork.... what does inspire me?..... how do I feel right now.... I feel.. great.. Was it because of the sunset? The park? Or the carnival? I-I don't know, everywhere I go.. I feel happy. I don't think this is because of the places.. I mean, I've never felt like this before in my life. My life in the past few years was all black and white.. but this year was different. I feel like colors start to come back in my sight."

She looked at Erick.
Arianne's mind: "Erick.... when I first met you, I didn't expect all of this will happen. You made me do things I've never did before. I don't want to say this but, you've made me smile like the way I use to when my life wasn't ruined.. That's right..you. You're my inspiration. Well, it's kinda weird to have someone as an inspiration but.. this is really happening. You woke me up from my nightmare that I've been living for years."

Erick: "uh.. are you okay?"
Arianne: "h-huh? What? Oh..uhh, yeah.. hehe"
Erick: "is it just me or are you staring at me?"
Arianne: "what? N-no.. I just have something in my mind."
Erick: "oh.. is it about your artwork?"
Arianne: "yeah.."
Erick: "so.. do you have an idea already?"
Arianne: "y-yeah... I do."