Artifice

Surprise Departures and Appearances

Psa: I don't actually attend college yet so if I get something wrong don't hate me.

Pratt was the school I've dreamt about attending since I could remember. Three years here and I still couldn't fathom I went here.

I would be in debt probably for the rest of my adult life but it was worth it. Everything about it embodied what I always had hoped and dreamed for.

I walked around the campus, staring at the withering trees. The ground was littered with different shades of brown leaves and people walked around bundled up in coats and scarves.

An empty bench was just ahead of me, I quickly went to occupy it.

It wasn't a strange sight to see someone just chilling outside here with a pencil and paper. I was one of the many that took the opportunity of the scenery around to create something.

My pencil drew soft lines, lifting my head up to the trees and back down at my paper. Drawing the outline of the tree was the easiest part, filling it in was not quite so.

I wasn't looking to be here for hours so I made quick strokes on the paper, messily drawing on the very little leaves that remained on the trees above me. Then outlining the brick buildings behind.

When I finished my sketch, the lines and details were messy but in their rightful place. Looking at it from a distance, it looked decent and I was happy with what I made.

I checked my phone and saw I spent an hour here just sitting alone and drawing. A text from Harry also appeared underneath the time.

Harry and I had hardly any communication the past few days. I was surprised, he seemed so keen on pursuing me and he suddenly disappeared for five days without notice. I kept denying to myself that I felt a bit disappointed.

*What are you up to?*

No hey? Or how have you been since I went MIA?

I ignored the text, I wasn't going to loose my dignity and pride by automatically jumping on this guy who I hardly knew and had a huge ego problem.

I held my bag tightly in my arms trying to gain any heat that I could, the temperatures were slowly dropping as the sun gradually fell. I needed to get home before the sun went down.

I drove up back into Manhattan, making it home after half an hour, luckily the traffic wasn't too bad. The only downside of where I went to school was the commute to it everyday and back, but I couldn't complain with how fortunate I've been.

Inside the lobby it was empty, besides the guy at the desk that greeted me everyday. The interior was fancy, white walls and even a damn chandelier hanging from the roof. If it wasn't for Lizzy, there was no way I could afford to live here. Lizzy carried some money from her family on her back and spent it as freely as she wanted, but she wasn't stuck up like someone I knew.

I walked into our apartment, soon finding that I was alone.

*Where are you?* I texted Lizzy.

*Liam's place, don't expect me to come home ;)*

I breathed out a laugh and set my phone on the kitchen counter.

I called in to work, asking if they needed any help tonight but they said no, so I would be spending my Friday night home alone.

Being alone meant I could put on whatever music I wanted as loud as I wanted and go around in my underwear all night.

And that's exactly what I did.

My feet carefully tapped around the room, avoiding any contact with furniture. I swung my arms around, spinning in circles.

A few songs later I was exhausted, I slumped down on the sofa and let my heart rate settle.

The song playing faded and the sound of knocking became audible. I rushed to the stereo and turned it off, then running to the door.

No one that could be coming over ran through my mind and I was sure it was Liz who might've got cold feet and ran back home.

"I thought you said you wer-" I stopped talking once I saw who was behind the door. "Harry!" I shrieked. "Oh my god." I jumped out of the opening and covered my body with the door.

"Hi," a smirk appeared on his face.

"What are you doing here!" I unintentionally yelled, being shocked at his surprise visit.

"You've been ignoring my text."

I pulled my hand up to my face and breathed in deeply.

"Can I come in?" He asked and I pointed a finger at him and closed the door.

I ran to my room pulling on the first pair of running pants I could find, then ran back to the door.

"Wait." I stopped him from proceeding inside. "Why are you here?" I asked again.

"Would it be crazy if I said I missed you?" He said and my pathetic stomach twirled with butterflies that I was desperate to swat away.

"Yes."

"Can I come in?" He smiled and my mind was screaming no.

Never mind the self battle I had going inside of me, I ended up moving to the side to let him inside.

He walked straight to the living room as if he's been here before, I had completely forgotten he has.

"Can I get you something? Water? Lemonade? A cupcake my friend cooked this morning?" I asked and he took a seat on the couch.

"No thank you." He eyed the apartment, then me. There was something about when he looked at me that made me feel uncomfortable, maybe even intimidated. I moved to the kitchen to retrieve water for myself. "Your roommate bakes?"

"Hardly, she's practicing to impress her boyfriend." Maybe they weren't actually together yet, but the past week they have been hanging together enough for me to assume they are together. I came back and he was sat comfortably with his legs resting on the coffee table. "Feet off." I said like a strict mother.

He obliged and I took a seat fairly far away from him on the couch.

"You disappeared all week and now here you are in my apartment on a Friday night." I stated.

"I've been busy with work, plus I got the feeling you didn't want to see me anyways." I looked away from his gaze.

I think he was right but I honestly wasn't sure.

"Isn't there a million other things someone like you could be doing on a night like this?"

"Someone like me?" He tilted his head, holding an amused smile. "What do you mean darling?"

I took a long gulp of water, feeling his eyes on me.

"Rich, lady's man, player." I said and he sighed loudly. "I can keep going if you want?"

"If you only knew." I had no idea what he meant by that, he didn't elaborate and let me make up the possibilities in my head. "Is this yours?" He reached to the coffee table and picked up one of my sketchbooks. Before I could dive forward to get it, he already had it in his hands.