a Piece of Art

9.0 T H E E N C O U N T E R

   "I saw something suspicious between Leah and Jackson the other day"

   I swear that didn't come out of my mouth.

   Naomi plopped in my couch with a cup of tea in her hand. We were having a girls night in. I invited them over so we could just relax. Mid terms were finally over and we could actually breath.

   "Don't mention that when Steph gets here."

   She had just texted us she was 5 minutes away.

  Naomi eyed me strangely. "What do you know, Lizzie?"

   I sighed. "Leah doesn't know I know."

   "C'mon, Liz, tell me."

  "Promise you won't say anything. It's not our place to come between them."

  "Oh my god..." she took a second but said, "okay, I promise. My lips are sealed."

  "I saw them kissing outside the coffee shop during Leah's break, last weak." It felt good not having to keep this secret to myself anymore. I was very discreet and would keep a secret forever if you asked me to, but this one still felt confusing to me.

   "Oh my god, you were right. That's why she wasn't at lunch that day. We saw Jackson talking to Louise between classes." She shook her head. "I can't believe she didn't tell me! I can't believe I didn't notice it!"

   "I think they are just figuring it out themselves. They seemed to be fighting and then he kissed her..."

   "Anyhow, that's so cute. I have always kind of shipped them you know."

   I laughed. Just Naomi could pull off something like that.

   "Don't press her about it, though. She'll tell us when she's ready."

   "Okay, okay, I won't."

   "And you won't tell anyone about it." I knew Naomi was a goner for gossip.

  She rolled her eyes. "And I won't tell a soul about it."

   Right after, the bell rang. Both Steph and Leah were outside.

   "Okay."

***

   I was particularly early that morning. I knew none of them would want to attend class after our girls night, so I left them sleeping in my living room.

   I got up early, used to the insomnia, took a relaxing shower and headed to the campus.

   Sometimes I think things are just destined to be. Maybe if I hadn't been early that morning, he wouldn't have catch up to me. Maybe if I had actually slept in, like my friends did, I wouldn't have even know he was here. But somehow that strange force that brought our gazes together that time long six years ago, seemed to bring us together again now.

   "Hey, wait up!" It was strange seeing him run the short distance that separated us in his formal suit. "You are the girl from the gallery the other night."

   I had to remind myself that that's all we were. Strangers that happened to exchange some words one evening. It surprised me then why he remembered me.

   "I am. You are the guy from the gallery the other night." I nodded.

   "I just wanted to apologize. I got dragged away before I could even catch your name."

   I considered whether or not it as smart to tell him any of my names.

   "You did. Those people seemed important." Avoidance. The easiest way to lie.

   "They were sponsors for the night." He nodded. His world so different from mine. "I wish I could have continued talking to you though. Ask you out, perhaps." He said with a sheepish smirk.

   He definitely didn't realize I was a student, less alone a freshman. I was surprised he thought that, even if he really didn't mean it.

   He saw my hesitation, "at least get your number."

   I laughed a bit at him, "that's usually how you get girls? At your gallery's opening?"

   "Not really, you would be surprised but I don't date a lot. Less alone incredibly beautiful young woman with a good taste in art."

   "Oh, you can't even imagine. I'm a huge art enthusiastic." I couldn't help but be a tiny bit sarcastic. He was surprisingly much like I've imagined, his cocky smile only completing the look.

   "Then at least let me get your name." He said when he noticed I was starting to walk away.

   "I don't think you want to know. I should get to class."

   "You are a student here?" He sounded surprise and I nodded. Indeed misinterpreted who I could be. "You intrigue me. You don't sound like your usual NYU student."

   "Oh, but I wish I could be."

   I walked a few steps before turning around, he hadn't moved an inch and continued to look at me. When he started to walk the opposite direction, too, I said quietly again.

   "My name is Elizabeth."