The Artist: A Dricki Fic

Chapter 7

September 5th 2012...

Nicki opened up her laptop as she sat by the breakfast bar. She had just finished making Derrick his morning coffee since she didn't have anywhere to be today and had no decided to catch up on reading some of her favourite blog posts.

She was just waiting for one to load when Derrick walked in and picked up his coffee. She looked over at him with her nose turned up slightly. "What's up?" he asked upon taking in her facial expression.

"What cologne are you wearing?" she asked.

"The usual one,why?" he asked.

"It smells different. And significantly stronger," she said and he just edged closer to her with a confused look. "Please stay where you are, unless you want my cereal to be on your uniform," she added, starting to feel slightly nauseous.

"Don't forget, it was you that picked it in the first place," he said with a look before blowing her a kiss. "I'll see you later babe," And with that he was on his way.

She took a few moments just dwell on the situation before she returned to what she was previously doing.

She opened one of her favourite bloggers' page and was slightly surprised to see this first post being lead with a picture of her and the man nicki had been avoiding. It was this blogger in particular that had put nicki on to drake's artwork so it was no surprise that she had made an effort to see him on his ventures in europe.

She decided to read the post and was taken a back slightly at what mentioned. As she scrolled further she was met with a picture of the particular painting that was being discussed and once she saw it, she had to agree with everything she had read. It was beautiful. There was something about it that was alluring and gave her a sense of familiarity, but she refused to give into it; that was until she read a little further and heard what it was he had to say about the painting.

She bit her lip as she just thought for a moment. She was convinced it couldn't possibly be about her and she wanted so badly to ignore it, but something wouldn't let her. So instead she opened up her messages app on her laptop and scrolled the small distance until she found his name.

For a moment she just looked at their last few messages. She didn't quite know what it was she wanted to say to him, but she knew she at least wanted their friendship back. And if she ended up with more, then she'd just have to deal with it.

Hi -Nicki

She waited and even watched as the 'delivered' changed into a 'read 9:41'. She continued to wait, although the three grey dots never appeared. She decided to press further and see if she could get a response from him.

I never got to see the painting you did of me -Nicki

Any chance I can stop by sometime and see it? -Nicki

She watched as he read it again and this time the three dots appeared, lifting a small weight off her shoulders.

You know where I live. Drop by when you want. -Aubrey

She read the message and could already feel the detachment from it. Nevertheless she decided to go and get dressed and make her way to see him....

-

When she arrived at his apartment complex, she made her way up to his floor and walked the short walk to his door. She knocked and shifted her weight onto one foot as she waited. To say she was nervous to see him would be an understatement, especially since she didn't know where they stood, even though it was her call.

After a few moments of waiting he finally opened the door and wore a fairly neutral expression as he did so. He wore a fitted pair of grey sweats and a white tee. And even in an outfit so simple and casual, she could already see why she had distanced herself initially. Nevertheless, her eyes continued their trail up his body and stared back into his piercing gaze. His curls had grown out more, and his beard was a little longer. The scruffy appearance made her weak in the knees and she knew when she heard the Canadian accent they were paired with that she would lose all resolve.