In your Arms

Chapter Fourteen

"Jordin.." Therese nudged her and it brought Amity back to her senses.

"H-Huh?" She looked at her friend like she'd just been woken up from a deep thought.

Therese looked at her gingerly, "Are you okay? You've been staring at your canvas for almost an hour.." She added.

"Really?" Amity looked in disbelief.

"Yes." Therese answered, "You're just.. staring.."

Amity suddenly looked at her watch and realized it was true, she bowed her head. Therese had put a hand on her shoulder.

"You didn't find it?" Therese asked her in a soft voice, it almost made Amity cry. She could feel the concern on her friend's tone and it makes her feel more pitiful for herself. She managed to nod in response and bit her lip, she couldn't utter a word. Amity heard Therese sigh.

"You won't be able to finish your work you know, if you can't pull yourself together." Therese told her. "I'm actually optimistic that you're one of the three students who will be chosen. Isn't that your dream?"

"It is.." Amity replied in an almost whisper.

"Then why aren't you doing anything? It's so unlike you, Jordin. You're always focused."

Amity looked at her friend thoughtfully. Therese was right, she shouldn't let the unfortunate thing of losing her necklace ruin her. She's miserable, yes, but does it have to be the reason for her to lose such a great opportunity? She's a focused, driven, persevering girl. She doesn't easily give up in hardships, she's not a loser. Amity suddenly had a grip on herself.

"You're right." She told Therese, "I wouldn't want to miss the chance for my work to be placed beside Elise's. It's my ultimate dream."

"And?" Therese asked her, "What do you have to do to make it possible?"

"Stay focused and try not to mind a single thing." Amity suddenly had her game face on.

The corner of Therese's lips curled into a wide grin. "Then you better get your fine hands do the work." She motioned her head to the paint brush Amity is holding in her right hand. "Get yer sorry ass to work Missy!"

"Aye!" Amity responded with a smile that was finally spread on her lips. She looked at Simon's portrait and started the strokes the canvas had been waiting for.

Amity only had her focus on her work and with the occasional talking with Therese. It's only five days left before judgment day, and she can see herself being called by Elise in front of the class as one of the chosen ones. Amity didn't believe in luck, and so she realized she had to work her way up if she wants to succeed.

"I wouldn't let anything get in my way. Not my lost necklace, and not that annoying Alexander." She thought while her hands work on her painting.

The recent mishaps that happened to her will not bring her down. Her lost necklace and Alexander's abrasive presence will not be enough to lose her sanity and affect her work. "There's always a good in every bad situation. There's always a bright side in every misfortune." That was her motto and she kept on repeating it over and over in her head. Nothing can stop her now, although somehow, her encounter with Alexander this morning still irks her a bit.

She couldn't believe how insensitive Alexander is. She didn't even feel the tiniest sincerity in his voice when she told her she had lost the one important thing to her. She even noticed a hint of mockery in his tone as he spoke. Can't he see that she's already miserable for him to give her such drastic remarks? How evil could he be?

The thought of Simon being more sensible and concerned entered her mind. Every time she feels bad or a little bit frustrated with something he would always comfort her and make her happy. Simon would always had a way to make her feel good even through simple things as long as he could see her smile. That's what makes him different from Alexander. They were totally opposites.

Amity then remembered that it's been a few days since she hadn't texted Simon and the latter hasn't contacted her as well. Her heart stirred at the thought, she didn't even mention to him yet the arrival of his brother. Amity made a mental note that she'll text him by the time she'll get home. But it also made her a little sad that he didn't had any attempt for communication towards her. She just told herself that he's just busy and try not to make it a big issue. Right now she has to concentrate on one thing, she has to make use of the remaining time and the moment he returns home there would be something she could show to him that would make him feel proud of her. It made her more driven.

Amity doesn't want to go home yet. And so, after their art class she told Therese if she wants to drop by at her cousin's coffee shop. Her friend gleefully agreed and both of them went straight to La Belle's.

Nikolai was there when they arrived and accompanied them to a booth and stayed with them to chat. Amity had suddenly forgotten about the stressful things that's happened to her and enjoyed the company of her friends. They talked, ate, had coffee and laughed a lot and it made her not realize that it was already late and she has to go home. They said their goodbyes and she went straight to Simon's place, at least now she feels a lot more better.