Choice

Chapter Six: Curiosity, The Notebook, and Decisions

Chapter Six: Curiosity, The Notebook, and Decisions

I was stunned after hearing Nick shout back "SORRY MARK! I THOUGHT YOU WERE GAY!" and saw Nick running away from me as possible. I rose an eyebrow, why oh why would Nick, my best friend think that I'm gay?

Then the couple who's living in the apartment just beside me opened their door and looked at me with such curious expressions "Who thought who was what?" Jackie asked in her sweet voice, she is Nico's wife, she's in the mid thirties, read head, black eyes and has a nice personality.

"Uhm..i-it was nothing Mrs. Wallace, it's just my stupid best friend Nick, remember Nick?" I asked, stammering.

"Who is he again?" Jackie asked his husband who's just behind her.

I saw Nico hesitated and thought for a minute "I remember him now!" He exclaimed. "Darling, he's the boy who asked for milk two days ago." Nico said, reminding his wife with his baritone voice, Nico has black hair, tall and has the most greenest eyes I've ever seen.

I flushed with embarrassment and scratched the back of my head "Y-yeah, sorry for disturbing you Mr. And Mrs. Wallace" I said smiling.

"It's okay Mark" Jackie assured with a smile. 

As I saw them return inside their apartment, I closed my door and slid down behind it, feeling so embarrassed. I took a deep breath and closed my eyes, after a couple minutes, I stood up and asked myself when did Nick ask for milk from the neighbours? 

I shrugged off the thought and walked back to kitchen counter, only to trip on my face flat "What the?" I mumbled to myself trying to get up. I looked back at the 'thing' that I tripped on, it was a black leather notebook. I picked it up, it's heavy, I began going for the couch and sat with the notebook on my lap, and remembered that Nick dropped it while rushing out of here. I raised an eyebrow, when did Nick start carrying such heavy and expensive looking notebooks? I wondered. I shook my head and opened it without hesitation.

What welcomed me are drawings, random sketches, notes, and cut out magazines on every page, this is definitely not Nick's notebook, I thought. I found myself getting entertained so I just kept flipping each and every page, wow these are pretty good, I told myself. I made myself more comfortable on the couch by lying down and lifted the notebook just above my face and read the notes on each drawing, trying not to miss a thing. I analyzed each drawing and when I was about to turn to another page, I felt something light fell on my face.

It was a three-framed white strip of photo booth pictures with two cute girls doing wacky poses on every frame, one was short haired and the other has long hair. I raised my eyebrows with amusement "I guess one of these girls is the owner" I mumbled to myself. I carefully put back the picture in between the notebook's pages. 

"If these flat, colorless sketches, and clothing designs are to be sown, they would look beautiful." I told myself.

And a random memory entered my mind;

It was break time in our office and I was eating with one of my co workers, Nicole in the building lobby's cafe.

"I think it is time for you to really consider getting an apprentice already Mark, anyone would die to be one." Nicole said, she was across the table, and is in her mid thirties and a brunette.

I just rested my chin on my hand and sighed. "But I haven't found anyone yet, and I'm looking for the right person." I looked at her with a bored expression.

"But, your famous now!" She exclaimed.

And I just kept looking at her. "Don't let that opportunity go to waste Mark." She told me.

Looking down, I frowned "You don't understand." I said crossing my legs and played with my food.

"What is there to understand? Many fashion designers are lining up to be under your mentorship." She said flinging her arms in the air.

"I agree with Nicole." One of our fellow workers said while passing by our table.

"See? Even other people are starting to admit you need one! Think about it!" She kept on telling me.

I slammed my hand on the table and stood up swiftly. "Why is it that you have this dire need of me to take an apprentice already Nicole?!" My voice bellowed. And I walked out of the cafe leaving her alone. 

I heard Nicole come after me and got a hold of my arm "Where are you going off to Mark?!" shouting with a hard expression.

"Somewhere, I just need to cool off Nicole, please." Her face softened "Let me go." I whispered. And she let go, and I just kept walking out of the building. 

Shaking off the memory, I thought of what she told me during those past weeks. I think it is already time for me to take someone as an apprentice already. 

As I smiled at the thought, I've decided that, the person who owns this notebook is the one and I am going to mentor her.

I realized, I've been grinning like an idiot for almost five minutes already. I shook my head and glanced out the window "It's already dark outside, what time is it?" I uttered to myself. So looking at the black wall clock; quarter to eleven, guess it's time for me to sleep now, I told myself.

After I set down the notebook, I immediately got up, went straight for the bathroom to brush my teeth. And after, I made way for my bedroom, changed into my sweats not bothering to put on a shirt for I am sleeping anyway.

Turning off the lights, I got into bed, removed my glasses and fell into a deep slumber after.