The Boy Who Paints Me (SAMPLE OF PUBLISHED BOOK)

The Boy Who Paints Me - Chapter 5 (SAMPLE)

Chapter 5

Frustrated, was the only word that could describe how I had been feeling for the past three days. It was Monday morning, and my mind refused to forget about what happened at the waterfall. After our awkward moment, Leighton had driven me home in silence. I hadn’t known what to say or do, so I did, and said nothing. He walked me to my front door, said goodnight and that was it. I haven’t seen him since. I was tired, annoyed, and above all, confused. For the first time in my entire life, I actually wanted to be kissed. I wanted to be touched. I wanted to know what it felt like when two people wanted the same thing. It was stupid, really because I should know by now that I never get what I want. I've never been that lucky. My world doesn't include such luxuries. I guess it was a good thing that Leighton didn't kiss me because it's not as if I intend to stick around. It's not as if I have a choice. That's what I keep telling myself but it didn't make me feel any better.

Leighton had been avoiding me ever since Friday night. Three days he has been avoiding me, and each one has gone slower than the last. I watched him painting a couple of times. I watched as he drove to and from his house without even glancing at my aunt's house. I had no idea why it bothered me so much but it did. It hurt.

Megan, Layla and Caroline came to visit me on Saturday. I didn't invite them, of course but I was glad of the distraction. I had fun but my mind was still focused on feeling rejected. I think the girls sensed that something was wrong but they never asked, and I never told. Some things are better left unsaid. That was what Mitch always said. He said that secrets and emotions belonged to us because they were ours, and if they were ours then we had no business sharing them. Even with him gone, his rules still followed me, still controlled me.

Megan also dropped off my uniform for the diner. It consisted of a pleated, blue skirt and a tight red t-shirt with the words 'M & M' printed in the left hand corner. She explained that her dad had named the diner after her and her brother, since they were the only children he had at the time. She said that her brother's name is Michael but he has everyone call him by his middle name; Callum. Their dad decided that 'Michael & Megan's' was far too long, so they agreed on 'M & M'. 

 So, here I am, stood, staring at myself, wondering how on earth I let her talk me into doing this. I didn’t know the first thing about waitressing. The past three years didn’t give me many opportunities to test out my people skills, and the moments that did, well, I wasn’t there, not mentally anyway. I tried to ignore the negative thoughts in my mind and stay positive. I may not be able to keep this life but I can at least try and enjoy it, can’t I?

I had thirty minutes until my shift started, and so I slipped on a pair of flat, black shoes. I showed my shoes to Megan on Saturday, and she said that they would be appropriate, since I would be on my feet all day. I took a deep breath and made my way to the front door as I prepared myself for the day ahead. As I twisted the handle, I gasped in surprise as I looked at the tall figure in front of me. This was the face that had invaded my mind all weekend. The face that frustrated me after leaving me alone with so many unanswered questions, the face that I should have been mad at. Instead, as his golden brown eyes locked with mine, I got lost in them and all feelings of anger and hurt just disappeared. Was I going crazy?

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you,” he said as a smile slipped onto his smooth lips, lips that I almost kissed just a few days ago. Stop it, Rainie!