Stars

11

I woke up early the next morning. The sunlight came into my room dimly, so I assumed that it was closer to noon. Caitlyn was sprawled out on my bed, her face in a state of total relaxation. I was usually the first one up, so I quietly walked out of my room and down to the kitchen to get breakfast.

My feet softy padded across the tiled floor. I climb on top of the counter and grabbed myself a bowl and a box of cereal. I poured myself a bowl and poured milk before sitting down at the table, eating quietly.

Last night felt like a dream. I felt as if I asked Caitlyn about it, she'd look at me as if I'd gone crazy, and tell me that my date with Gray never happened. The way we clicked seemed surreal.

My feelings for him were anything but that. My feelings for him made me smile way too much and made me want to dance and sing. But they were also terrifying and oppressive. I felt as if I couldn't breath when I thought of him. The onslaught of emotions that crashed into my was too much, and it was scary.

My phone vibrated. I picked it up to see a text from Gray, and I smiled despite my previous thoughts.

"I'll be over in a few. I want to see you," it read.

I took a calming breath as my heart began to race.

"Just come into the backyard," I replied.

I finished my cereal and put the bowl in the sink. I headed upstairs and tiptoed around my room. I gathered the materials needed, all without disturbing Caitlyn from her slumber. I softly shut the door behind me and walked to the back door. I slid it open, set my brushes and paints on the patio table, and shut it behind me.

I took a seat on a chair and let the sun warm me as I painted. I let the brush swirl and dab at my legs, letting my mind a moment to wonder.

I was grateful that Mom had taken Jace and Jonathan with her to a baby shower. It made the house all the more quiet, and I craved the silence. It was rare that my house was quiet, because it usually echoed with screams and yelling. Jace and Jonathan weren't the most quiet of people, and neither was my mom.

"What at you up to?" His voice said from right above me.

"Relaxing. What about you?" I asked without looking up from my work. I had painted a lovely sunrise on the front of my thigh, and I was too focused to look away.

"Sun bathing," he said.

That I did look up for, because faster than I thought possibly he stripped off his shirt. He set his dusty rose shirt, finally something other than black, on the back of my chair and laid down on a lawn chair after pushing it all the way forward. He lied on his stomach, flexing his back muscles and arms occasionally. Probably for my benefit.

I couldn't look away. It was easily one of the prettiest backs I've ever seen, and I loved his golden skin. His back was the most open spaces of his body as well; no tattoos. It was too good of an opportunity, and I'm pretty sure he'd be more than willing to let me do it.

"Hey Gray. Can I paint your back?" I asked.

He opened one eye suspiciously, gazing at me. "Why?"

I shrugged. "I feel like it. It'd be a great canvas."

He smirked. "Never thought you'd be the one to check me out."