Catcher

Chapter 2

Hey, guys! This chapter isn't really edited so if you see any mistakes please don't hesitate to point them out! Also, I should probably say that my updates for this won't be consistent as I have a lot of other commitments, but if I gain enough viewers then maybe I can try to make updates more regular! Maybe. Anyway, I really hope you enjoy this chapter and feel free to shoot me a message any time you like if you have any questions xx

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Two weeks later, Ty came home from a skills enhancement class, his happiness penetrating the barriers of Cahira's own mind. He felt light, excited, his emotions reminding her of her own the day she felt the sensation of running water. The creases beside her eyes had felt tight, her cheekbones sore, her smile seeming to be tugged by the living ball of bliss tightening in her stomach.

The second she felt him coming, Cahira sat up and tossed her book to the side. A few seconds later, light filled her small room and her brother bounded in. He slid to a crouch in front of her so quickly that she was sure he must've formed holes in his jeans. His smile couldn't be contained and neither could hers until she let go of his mind.

Her own remained nervous as she waited in anticipation for what he'd say. After he didn't speak for a while, Cahira spoke up. 'Ty, what's going on, I could hardly recognise you?' She tried to keep her voice neutral but it wavered mid-sentence, her own excitement showing through.

'I have something for you,' Ty said. Reaching into his pockets, he produced some long wooden sticks with fine bristles attached to the end. The wood was smooth to the touch, each tip pointed elegantly with different thicknesses. From his other pocket, he withdrew small bottles. Colour. As he settled them down on the floor between them, he pointed, to each naming a word as he did. 'Blue. Red. Yellow. Brown. White. Black.' He peered at her as she picked up the wooden sticks, trailing her fingers along the length of one. 'Those are paintbrushes. I realized in enhancement today that I never told you about them. Or painting for that matter.'

Cahira was speechless. Just seeing such vibrant colours in front of her was something entirely new. 'What do I do with them?' She felt stupid for asking, as though she was further proving how alien she was. He didn't hesitate though, didn't point out how she knew so little. He simply explained.

'Just like how people draw pictures, they also paint them. You can use these colours on their own or mix them and make a picture or whatever you want. I just thought,' now he did blush and Cahira could feel his embarrassment, 'maybe, you could paint the outside or something. I can show you pictures or something and maybe you won't feel so... trapped.' His fingers were scratching haphazardly at his pants, the scraping noise a symbol of his discomfort. Gently putting down the brushes, she reached across and softly grasped his hand, halting his movements and easing his embarrassment.

'Thank you, Ty.' Her throat contracted and any other words she had were lost. Fighting back tears, she smiled and opened one of the bottles. A thick smell wafted through the air. The smell of red. She decided. 'So, what do I paint on?'

"Just the walls I guess. I couldn't get to the shelf to take some paper for you, and a canvas would've been way too hard to sneak out of the supply room.' Cahira pivoted on her backside so that she was facing the wall. Hesitantly, she dipped the paintbrush into the red before pausing.

'The sun,' she whispered.

He didn't need to ask what she meant. 'Gold.'

'Which one is gold?'

'You need to mix, add a little red to some yellow, not too much though.' She did what he said until she was happy with the colour.

The brush nearly hit the wall when she paused again. 'What's wrong?' he asked.