The Switching Arrangement

Chapter 8

I didn't sleep a wink last night. My mind replayed the event that happened so many times that when the clock stroked 4.00 a.m, my eyelids still hadn't budged.

Once, I took a look at Cameron who was sleeping on the bed next to me. The low murmur of his slumber kept me calm.

He had slept next to me for three years now. No matter what, he always manage to get in the same dorm as me every single time.

My best friend. He would want only what's best for me - I thought. Maybe meeting Poppy that night was no coincidence. Maybe life is trying to tell me something.

Maybe, just maybe, I should paint again and I should move on.

Now, however, I'm still pacing back and forth in front of Art Club, replaying the decision I made at 4 in the morning. How did I even end up here?

Usually, when it's Friday and basketball is off, I would either go back to hostel early and hang out or go find an odd job I can work at for a few hours.

How do I go inside? Just barge in and ask for Indiana? Whatever it is, I need to make up my mind now. There's only an hour and a half  left.

It's now or never.

Suddenly, the door in front of me swings open and a short-haired girl holding a cup walks out. Immediately, she makes eye-contact with me.

I recognize her. She's one of the girls Poppy always hang out with. What's her name? Lisa? Laura?

Unintentionally, we stare at each other for a second too long and when she realize this, she blushes before promptly turning left.

Here's my chance.

"Wait!" I shout, which stops the girl in her tracks.

I half walk, half run towards her. "Hey, are you a club member?"

The girl turns around and her face seems scared for some reason - like my face means trouble. Hesitantly, she nods to my question.

"Um, is Indiana Fulmer in there?" I point at the club door.

She nods again. Is this chick mute or something?

"Uh," I look directly at her eyes. "Can you bring me to her? I kinda want to be an honorary member."

Suddenly, her grey pupils dilate at my request. "You... you do?" She ask, biting her lips. Then she looks around awkwardly, like she doesn't know what to do. "I... I was just about to..."

Then when her eyes locked with mine again, she promptly looks away and says "Nevermind."

News flash: she's not mute, just somewhat awkward.

The cup in her hands is placed on the floor. "Here... um, follow me." She says while turning her heels towards the door.

I do as told and follow her inside.

🙊🙉🙈

The South Cross art room is a spacious area filled to the brim with artworks, ranging from mediocre to straight up Leonardo Da Vinci. The walls are tainted with paint and doodles while racks and racks of art supplies surround the 20+ people sitting in a circle in the middle of the room in front of canvases, painting away.

One of the them is Poppy. Immediately after I walked in, she spotted me and gave an enthusiastic wave, grinning.

I just smiled in return.

The short-haired girl leads me to another dark-skinned, stern looking girl in glasses. I assume her to be Indiana Fulmer.

She taps the spectacled girl lightly on the shoulder. "Indi, this guy wants to be an honorary member," she says before quickly walking away.