Emotions are a Funny, Complicated Thing.

|art|

Art
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Usually our rides in the car together aren't this quiet. I don't know if today is just an acceptation or if it's going to be like this every time. The radio played quietly while Rose looked out the window, not saying a word. I don't know how much I could take without hearing my favorite voice. We've been together for a while now; I can usually know what she's thinking. But right now, sitting in my passenger seat, I couldn't understand the riddle beside me.

"Rose, what are you thinking?" I asked looking at the road ahead. The raven-haired wonder sighed and looked at me.

"Not much. Life. You. Us." She responded.

We passed the green park filled with joggers and kids flying kites. I took my gaze off the road for a second and to my girlfriend. "What about us?" I asked hoping to keep the concern away from my voice.

Rose eased from her stiff posture by the window and grasped my hand from the steering wheel, intertwining her soft fingers with my rough ones. "I was thinking about how blessed I am to have you Andrew." I sensed she was able to read my relieved expression. "Baby, if you were thinking that I didn't want to be in this car, sitting next to you, holding your hand, then you are the stupidest boy in the world."

I laughed lifting our hands and kissed Rose's softly. "I wasn't thinking that at all sweetheart. What would give you the idea?"

"You're easy to read." She responded, leaning down to change the radio station to a more upbeat melody. She's my favorite song I wouldn't dream of changing.

Reaching the edge of the city, we stopped at the last stoplight before reaching our destination. I made it my top priority for Rose to not discover our date for the day. "Well, have you found out where we're going yet?" I asked turning to her while we stopped.

Rose put her slender finger to her chin. "Let me think, you brought your camera and we're in the city. So, does that mean we are going on another spontaneous photo shoot?" my love asked.

The light turned green and I began to accelerate, slowly passing through traffic and by the bases of metal mountains. "Nope, I thought you said I'm easy to read?" I joked.

Rose hit my shoulder. "You're not that easy, but easy enough. Where are we going?" she finally asked.

I shook my head. "It's a surprise my love."

...

The look on her face when we parked was the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. Every date we've gone to is a present in itself, but I felt that today being with the girl I love would be the greatest gift of all. I took Rose's hand in mine and we walked up the white stone steps of the city's art museum.

The main room smelled of old paint and passions of the past. Tourists and elementary school field trips gathered in patches around the room. Some people drifted around, shuffling their shoes as they walked on the dark wooden floor. Right in the middle of the room, stood a magnificent copper sculpture only the best of imaginative minds could understand. Of course Rose comprehended what it was right when we walked in.

Hand in hand we ventured up to the second floor, the area consisted of paintings filled with desire and abstract colors painted onto the white canvas. We were quiet for most of the time, only a few mumbles of admiration came from Rose. I simply observed in silent thoughts. She was always more passionate about art than I.

"Hey Rose, does life imitate art or does art imitate life?" I asked interrupting our silence, both staring at a masterpiece of two people dancing in a lilac vineyard.

"I think art imitates life, without life art would have no purpose. No inspiration. I'm impressed Andrew, you should write a book." She told me, fascinated by my philosophical thought. It was kind of amusing because I was just quoting my fortune cookie from last night's dinner takeout. But I continued to play along.

"You know I've tried, but you know of my commitment issues so it didn't work out that well." I joked. She laughed making me to do also. I joke about it but in reality, I planned on being with her forever.

"Andrew Baker you are something that's for sure." She took a step towards me so were almost chest to chest. I stayed in my spot wondering what was going to happen next. We just stared at each other and I couldn't help but admire her. Trying to figure anything else about here that I didn't already know. We didn't talk, it was a comfortable silence not awkward the slightest like earlier. I took this chance to gently cup here face in my hands. I truly loved this girl; there was no doubt about it. I leaned closer so our lips were only breaths apart.

"Public display of affection is not tolerated here so if you would like to smother your girlfriend then please leave the museum." An old security guard whispered appearing next to us interrupting our action. I laughed and let go of her and held her hand.

"I'm sorry sir, my girlfriend just can't help herself. I bet you can understand." Rose hit my chest and scoffed. "But it wont happen again I assure."

The security guard arched his brow and walked away to his next victim of lovebirds.

"What crawled up him and died this morning?" She joked and I laughed as well, shaking my head. We continued down the hallway to admire the art, but even in a room of art, I can only stare at her.

Reaching the end of the hallway we stopped at the last masterpiece hanging on the wall. A woman lied on a velvet red blanket, outside in a meadow of an array of colorful flowers. She seemed upset, or sad. I couldn't tell the difference.

"She probably was really beautiful. Sadly the painter didn't give her any justice in his work." Rose said a few moments later, captivated by the painting on the white museum wall. It was funny why art museums always had boring colored walls with beautiful paintings on them. How something so bland could be paired with something so contrasting becoming harmonious. They corresponded perfectly. Bringing out each other's strongest parts about them. I've dreamed of a relationship like that. A love where they could lift each other up and bring out the best of them by being true to themselves. And I truly think I've found the right person.

I started at Rose, examining every part of her face. By far she was the most beautiful work of art in this museum. "Same for you Rose." I told her.

"What do you mean?" she asked me. I forgot that I was silent for a while so my sudden statement would be confusing.

"Rose you are by far the most amazing person I've ever met," I began. "But me saying that doesn't give you any justice." Rose smiled and stood on her tippy toes to kiss my cheek.

"You my dear are wonderful. I love you, you know that right?" she asked hopefulness in her eyes.

"Without a doubt." I told her. Without the care that anyone would see us I grabbed her face and kissed her with all the love I knew was in my heart. Releasing her from our embrace I took her hand and we continued along the pathway of art and facts of the past.

We began to walk down back the stairs, heading to the first floor that was home to the three dimensional pieces. Time passed and the undecided conclusion that our day has come to an end rested between us. We walked out the museum door to continue our journey for the day. Venturing towards the silver car I stopped for a moment.

"Hey love?" I said to get her attention.

"What's up Andrew?" she asked concerned.

"I need you like an artist needs paint." I said smiling.

She laughed and I felt like the luckiest guy in the world.