In your Arms

Chapter Twenty Two

Amity was startled when she heard continuous knocking on the door. It was already Monday and Franco will arrive in the afternoon which means whoever's knocking isn't him. It was just 9am in the morning and all of the students knew the studio's closed. She silently put down her brush and slowly went towards the door.

"Who is it?"

"It's me Therese."

Amity opened the door seeing her friend carrying take out food from Mc Donald's.

"I brought you breakfast." Therese told her with a smiling face. Amity let her in and led both of them to one of the vacant tables in the studio. "I know you haven't eaten yet so I took the liberty of buying you food." Her friend told her as she took out the food and placed it on the table one by one.

"Therese, you shouldn't have.." Amity told her.

"Duh, it's not like, a big deal or something. Besides, I haven't eaten breakfast yet. I'll have one with you." Therese winked at her. "C'mon let's."

Amity smiled and grabbed a cup of coffee not even minding to put some creamer and sugar and started to take a sip. It's still warm and it tastes strong which made her senses jolt.

"Mmmm.. It's so good.." Amity whispered with her eyes closed.

"Yeah I think you maybe at least need that. That's why I bought you two cups 'coz it looks like you haven't even slept." Therese looked at her worriedly.

"It's okay.. Don't mind me.."

"The hell," Therese uttered, "You should've even told me you've been here since Saturday so I could bring you some food and would've stayed with you while you're here."

"No, Therese, it would be too much--"

"Too much?! That's what friends are for right? What if something happened to you like, passing out or something because you lack sleep and doesn't eat? Sometimes you can be so hardheaded." Therese looked dismayed.

"I wouldn't wanna cause anyone trouble. And besides, I was only focused with finishing the painting I'm doing right now. I'm sorry if I made you worry, it won't happen again." Amity smiled at her friend.

"Well you better!" Therese raised and eyebrow. "Anyway, how was it? Are you finished?" She was referring to Amity's painting.

"Almost. Just a few more details and it's done." Amity answered her, "Wanna take a look?" She smiled at Therese and the latter looked excited.

"Sure!" Therese bolted up from her chair. Both of them walked towards her workplace and Amity showed her work. Therese opened her mouth and clasped it with both of her hands.

"Oh my God Jordin.. It's beautiful.." She whispered and touched the painting with her fingertips, "You managed to do it even for a short period of time.. You're amazing.."

"You think it's good? You think I did well?" Amity asked her friend, hands on her hips and also staring at the painting.

"Mmm hmm.. Nice.. Very nice.." Therese nodded still looking at the painting with an expression of awe on her face.

"But it's not enough for me to get chosen." Amity suddenly looked sullen.

"Who says?!" Therese shot her a disapproving look. "It has the same quality as your first one. I think it's even better than mine."

Amity punched her friend lightly in the arm, "Shut up. We both know both of us did good." Both of them laughed.

"So, are you going to spend another night here?" Therese asked her.

Amity shook her head vigorously. "Oh no, no, no. I'll leave before Franco arrives here. I don't want him to see I'm still here. He might worry that I've overworked myself, he told me not to."

"But you did."

"And it'll be our little secret." Amity winked at her friend.

"So it means you're going home?" Therese asked her. "Back to that place where the monster lives? Tss!"

"I have to. It's been days and I haven't even taken a bath and a good sleep." Amity answered. But the thought of seeing Alexander again made her stomach churn.

"You can just stay in my place ya know." Therese offered.

"No, Therese. You've done a lot already. Since yesterday you've been bringing me food and staying with me. Don't worry, I can manage. I just have to pretend he's not there. I can do that." She gave her friend a reassuring smile.

"He's such a dick. I swear if I'll see him he'll get what he deserve." Therese's eyes showed pure loathing.

Amity laughed, "Don't worry, if that time comes you'll have the opportunity to smack him anyway you want."

"The hell I will." Therese smirked. "Well, I gotta go. My mom wants me to do some household chores. I just stopped by to see if you're okay."

"Okay then, thanks again Therese. I owe you big time." Amity hugged Therese tight.

"It's nothing." Therese told her. "Call me if you need anything." She smiled.

Amity escorted her friend towards the door and went back to her unfinished painting. It was almost finished and it was really something. She had made it possible to finish it, she can't even believe herself. And it made her very proud. It wasn't as hopeless as she thought it would be.

It was 4 o'clock  in the afternoon when she decided to call it a day and pack things up. She took a last glance at her finished painting before covering it with a cloth. She decided to leave it there because of the fear that Alexander might tamper it again. Before she left Amity wrote a small note for Franco telling him she was so grateful for letting her stay at his place for awhile. After doing so, she left the studio and headed back home.