Until Her...

Chapter Nine

As the weeks go by I've been trying to ignore Gabriel as much as I can, but he keeps finding ways to vex me and make sly remarks. While I walked to class this morning I decided that I'm going to talk to my lecturer about transferring into a different group so I don't have to see him in class again. I can't stop feeling like an uncomfortable and oversensitive mess, and he's made me feel that way.
"Mrs?"
"Yes, Norah?" she gives me a soft smile.
"I was just wondering if there was any chance I could possibly switch to a different Senior Studio group?" She looks at me, her eyes kind and warm, just like she is to every one of her students.
"Oh, I'm so sorry Norah, I don't think that's going to be possible. We've already got the line up for the final year exhibition approved, and there isn't any room in any of my other studio groups" she looks at me hesitantly, seeing the disappointment on my face.
"But if you really want to leave this group, I can ask one of the other teachers if they could fit you in there's? Or if you're finding it too overwhelming, we can move you into a less difficult class?" No, I don't want that. Everyone keeps gushing about how she's the best lecturer that the art department has, and she really is.
"Oh no, I don't want another lecturer. It's fine honestly, I can stay in this class. Please forget I even asked you" I'll just have to learn to endure.
"How has your internship with Enzo going?" she asks.
"It's going really well, he's asked me to stay on permanently with him"
"Yes, I'm aware. Do you mind if I give you a little advice" she says hesitantly.
"Sure"
"Make sure you keep some distance from him, Enzo is a very charismatic man and he knows a lot about the industry. But I just want you to make sure that he doesn't... how should I put it... influence you"
"I'm not sure I get what you mean" I say and she pulls me aside from the group of students into the corner.
"You are young, and somewhat impressionable still. I don't want anything or anyone to affect your work in art. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Mrs. I understand" I reply, but really I don't. I feel like there's more to this than just him affecting my art style. I timorously walk back to my seat.


GABRIEL COMES INTO the studio looking around the room. The girls in class have started wearing more makeup and doing their hair, ever since they saw Gabriel in class. I don't understand why these girls make so much effort, their clothes are gonna get ruined anyway. But I start thinking that maybe I should start putting more of an effort into my appearance outside class. I usually just wear the same stuff over and over again. I usually just wear my painting clothes wherever I go, as most of my wardrobe is full of old clothes. I don't really care about the clothes I wear or having perfect makeup and hair. I'd rather just be invisible, to blend in the background. He's walking through the studio looking for something, and his eyes hit mine. I feel a rush of panic deep within me. He's going to come and annoy me some more, all he does is yell or make fun of me, constantly trying to make me feel like shit. I've apologised numerous times, and I'm not going to do it anymore, he needs to get over it. I'm tired of playing this little game with him. If he isn't willing to forgive me for one stupid comment then he can just leave me alone. But he's coming towards me, his eyes focused on mine. He ignores the room of girls that are trying to get his attention. Doesn't he notice the way they gape at him, or maybe he doesn't care? I silently beg to that he doesn't sit next to me, but now he's in the little corner I've commandeered for myself. Pushing the chair and easel closer, until it's joined my small corner.
"Can I help you?" I turn brashly facing him with my whole body, raising my eyebrows in annoyance.
"No, I'm good thanks" he says placing a huge smile across his face.
"Are you going to stay like this the whole class?" moving my hand between our bodies showing the lack of space between us.
He doesn't say anything, instead, he just leans back in his chair with his feet up on another. His sketchbook is in his hand and he is looking right at me. Even as the class starts up he doesn't move, his eyes shift from his book and to me. Like he's doing his work and annoying me at the same time. And it's working. His mood swings are giving me whiplash, constantly back and forth all the time. I'm getting more and more aggressive with my charcoal as my frustration grows, I push and push until it cracks in my hand ruining my drawing.
"Seriously? Are you gonna keep staring at me" I gruff, showing my hatred for him. His face is pointed at his book, but his eyes lift up to look at me, not saying anything.
"Are you?" He then pulls his legs down and shuffles himself closer to me. My legs press together in front of me, pulse quickening as it radiates through my body. He gets closer to me, and his legs slowly wrap over mine. So close to touching, and I can feel his warmth radiating over me.
"What... are you ... I, umm..." my words coming out more static than I meant them too. Can he sense my nerves at this moment? He leans forward again resting his elbows on his knees. Fingers locked together, his chin gently resting on them. His eyes are darker than the last time I saw them. He searches my face again, it's like he's trying to find something that just isn't there.
"I was wrong... I can't figure you out" his voice is smokey and my eyes shoot up to look into his. My body starts itching forward so slowly I don't even know I'm doing it. Until our art teacher snaps me back into the room, I knock my drawings and chalks to the ground, making a huge crash. I fumble trying to grab them from the floor. Gabriel starts laughing at my clumsiness, but he helps me.
"Extreme way to get my attention" he makes fun.
"Shut up" I snap completely mortified and angry, pushing his body away from me. His muscles were strong and prominent underneath my hands, and I fight the urge to touch him again. And I really want to touch him again. I sit back in my chair, and I try to ignore Gabriel. But he's shuffling through something next to me and I can't concentrate. I look over to see what he's doing, and he's going through some of my artwork.
"Don't" I snap at him, quiet enough so only he hears me. I don't like people touching my stuff without permission or looking at my private things. Who the hell does he think he is? I try to grab it off of him but he moves them into his other hand and extends them out of my reach. I hate this boy with every fibre of my being. I can't stand his arrogance, superiority or his stupidly perfect face.