i smile as i politely thank the woman behind the desk. i walked into the large and quiet building, my shoes clicking against the tile floor. i looked around before deciding on where to start and picked an empty corner.
as i slowly walked over, i pulled up the loose straps of my backpack. my bottom lip trapped between my teeth, i looked up at the piece i chose to start at.
it was a beautiful painting on a large canvas. i stuck my hands into the pockets of my sweatshirt and admired the art, reading the small plaque about it before walking onto the next. a lot of my weekends were spent like this, walking through galleries for inspiration. i walked through the different rooms and exhibits that i thought would be interesting.
i stop and glance behind me to see a boy slowly walking towards me, but turned back to the sculpture i stood in front of. he looked about my age, and like someone who wouldn't usually be in an art gallery. his curly locks were dark brown with a faded streak of red. tattoos were scattered along his arms.
i walked past him and towards the next sculpture in the room we were in. i hear his heavy footsteps follow me and he stands next to me. his head turns away from the sculpture and towards me.
i feel his eyes on me, it felt like they could bore a hole straight through me. feeling a bit awkward, i begin to rock back and forth on my heels and finally decide to walk onto the next piece, but of course, he follows close behind me.
i swear, if i get stalked and murdered.
i glance over at the boy, my potential murderer, and smile lightly. he sends a smile back, his teeth barely showing and small dimples appearing on his cheeks.
i sigh and bite the inside of my cheek as i try to focus on the painting in front of both of us, but it's difficult knowing i'm being watched.
"why are you looking at me like that?" i finally speak up laugh awkwardly, turning back to the boy.
"i'm just admiring the art, princess." he smirks.
i shake my head and can't help but laugh, "really? princess?"
"yep, you are a princess."
"is that so?" i cross my arms over my chest.
"yep." his arms cross over his chest, mocking me.
"well, if anyone's a princess, it's not me. sorry." i frown sarcastically.
"you're one stubborn princess, you know." he chuckles.
"sure." i mutter as i walk slowly to the next painting.
"listen, uh, how about we go and get some lunch, learn more about each other." he shrugs as he follows me.
"i don't even know your name."
"ethan."
"elle. but, how do i know you're not a murderer, ethan?" i raise my eyebrows.
i watch as his tongue swipes across his bottom lip, "i don't know, i guess you just have to trust me, princess."
my eyes are glued to him as that same smirk appears on his face.
"okay."
he smiles and starts leading me out of the gallery. i hesitantly followed him and thought of ways to escape just in case i'm about to get murdered.
"why are you so nervous? i'm not a murderer, i promise." he laughs before holding out his pinky.
"really?" i giggle and hold out my pinky too.
a pinky promise is definitely not the best way to make sure someone's not a murderer, but it'd have to do for now.
our pinkies intertwined and i heard ethan let out a small chuckle at the size difference of our hands.
"anywhere special you wanna eat?" he raises his eyebrows as we left the gallery. i simply shrug and he lets out a small chuckle.
"i know a place."
