Gray Skies

Blake & Cane Part I

This is the story of Anora (Gray) Blake's Parents told from Eric's point of view.

This story alone is deserved  of a chapter

It was summer when I met Bethany and to be honest I really didn't notice her as much at first. It wasn't because I was trying to be a dick or anything I just had expectations to meet. My Father... Your Grandfather is a very powerful man. Geoffrey Blake. Controlled most of what happened within the Blake Corporation. Because of his sheer status he took in a handful of the latest up and coming talent from different industries and allowed them to attend a better education and stay in our house. I being the first born was told exactly what was expected of me from the moment I learnt to walk or talk. But one summer it all changed.

I remember being dropped off house just expecting the usual riff-raff to come through the doors and set up. While going on and on to me, how lucky I was to be in such an amazing place. They were there expected to grow their potential in their chosen area. Me, I was expected to live a certain way become and live in a certain career. So I wasn't as lucky. And in some ways I was envious of the freedom these people had to do what they loved. I didn't get to meet everyone that came through the house because most of them didn't survive the first year and don't come back, so I mostly only knew the scientists. 

After about the first term I started to notice one of the fashion students. Bethany Cane. I realised why I never saw her around enough to notice her earlier, she spent all her spare time getting homework done so that she could sketch and execute her fashion ideas. She made all of her own clothing never bought anything. But being so hell bent on succeeding made it very difficult for her to socialise with anyone. It might sound stalker-ish, but I admired her from a distance. I saw her once by the town fountain, she was sketching. Her hair was loose and free-flowing and she was in a navy cardigan and a white dress. She looked so contempt. Like nothing phased her. I remember sneaking up behind her and she was designing a dress based on the Ancient Greek goddess statues that adorned the fountain. I hate things to do with fashion, but for the limited things I did know her designs were amazing. 

I remember that she tugged my scarf and said almost as shocking as anything else, "you know you could just say hello rather than being weird about it" she said in her accent. I couldn't quite put my finger on it back then, I just remember being in shock. Not knowing really how to react. I was a complete idiot that didn't know what to say. Talk about cat got your tongue. "So you're Mr. Blake's son?" I heard her say while continuing to sketch. "Yeah... I mean yes... Blake..." I began to stutter, shit I was making a complete idiot of myself. Then she turned to meet my eyes. I remembered seeing her luscious brown eyes look at me and I froze. Yeah, I know. Big and wealthy rich boy is a complete loser. I remember feeling like a cool guy when she smiled at me and said "I know you're a Blake. Why don't you take a breath and then tell me your name?" I remember laughing like a git before I said "Eric. My name is Eric". She smiled and laughed a bit patting the free seat next to her, asking me to sit. She pulled the sketching pad out of my view for a bit and tore a piece of the sketchbook before eventually putting it to the side. 

"Eric..." she said looking at me, "Miss..." "Miss Cane. Bethany Cane" she finally concluded. I smiled. Bethany. The name suited her. "So Bethany. This is the first time I've actually seen you talk to someone" I begin to say gaining confidence the second I knew her name. "What can I say? I'm a determined person" "That's not anything to be ashamed of" I say. She glanced over at me and said "What are you doing out here? I'd expect you to be with Tahla and the rest of the science geniuses" I was slightly shocked that she knew who I hung out with most of the time. I gave her an awkward sideways glance " How do you..." "Tahla's my tutor and roommate... I trade custom made items for help in science" she says tucking strands of hair behind her ear. Gosh, I thought she was a rare and amazing person. She was honest, smart and hated to cheat. She managed to tell me she was 15 and that her parents agreed to this because it could be a good opportunity. She told me how she dreams of being a top level designer and go to all the latest fashion shows in London, Paris and Milan.