A Hippie Love Story

Chapter One

Chapter One.

My favorite time to paint is when the sun is gently hitting the round, worn tables in the art room.

I have a clear view outside from my favorite table and the trees look extra green today. I hear a faint lawnmower in the distance and I'm smiling because I love that sound.

With my canvas and paints in front of me, I dip my brush in the red and start to design. I love to start with nothing in mind and surprise myself with the outcome.

My thoughts drift to my mom. With summer here and produce fresh, her market should be bustling. I love this time of year. Business is good and that means extra money.

"That looks really good." A voice says.

"Go away, I'm painting." I reply while waving a hand in the general direction of the voice.

"What is it supposed to be?"

I look at my canvas of red.

"I don't know," I say, rather annoyed now.

Curiosity has me glancing turning toward the voice and it's a boy, probably seventeen or eighteen. He has shaggy brown hair and happy gray eyes framed by black Ray Ban's. The sprinkle of freckles across his nose and cheeks remind me of a sky full of stars.

How romantic, Audrey.

"Hi," he says, "I'm Elliot."

I stare at him dumbly.

He's smiling now and I notice a very nice dimple making an apperance. "And you are?"

"Audrey Skye Gardenia," I blurt. Smooth."You have a really nice dimple." Even smoother.

He's laughing now, "Well, thanks, Audrey Skye Gardenia. And it's very nice to meet you."

I'm laughing now, too, and I gesture to the seat next to me. "You can watch if you want."

He takes a seat, still smiling.

"I like to paint without something to paint, if that makes sense." I say and pick up my brush.

"Yes, I think it makes sense," he nods very seriously, "I wish I could paint."

"I'll show you."

And that's how everything began.