reach for the clouds ✰ c.h

iii. LENTICULAR

chapter three — lenticular
stationary clouds that form mostly in the
troposphere; often comparable in appearance
to a lens or a saucer.

「 "warm with you, feel brand new, time
too few, can't get enough of you."  」
bbgirl by BP VALENZUELA

Astrid and I ended up at a nearby park a few blocks down from the apartment. I sat on the grass, while Ash played with the other dogs close by.

I opened my sketchbook and pencils and looked around for inspiration, but after a few minutes, I still had no idea what to draw. My gaze shifted back down to the blank sheet of paper resting on my lap. I picked up my pencil and just decided to do a free sketch.

The lead of the pencil met the paper, and I began to fill it up with light strokes, which soon became faces, then small portraits of women, each with different hair colors, hair textures, hair lengths, skin tones, and facial features.

Sooner or later, my dog got tired and joined me in the shade, nuzzling her furry head on my leg. I decided to start eating the food I brought, taking out the fruit, chips and soda. I ate with my non-dominant hand as I continued to draw, now starting to get into the details.

I got my phone out, deciding that some music would be great as I sketched. I connected it to my headphones, watching as the sun gradually went down.

I don't know how long I had been drawing for after that, but before I knew it I looked up and saw the sun was barely as bright as it was before. I checked my phone for the time, and it read 5:47. Shit, time flew by.

I paused my music and got up, stretching my legs, then packing everything back into my bag, picking up my trash and throwing it out. I closed my sketchbook and clutched it to my chest as I began to untie Astrid's leash, waking her up from her nap.

Her eyes shot open as she jumped up, only before realizing it was only me. She relaxed, yawning as she stretched her tiny hind legs. I put my bag over my shoulder, smiling at her cuteness as I began to stroll towards the exit of the park, finding my way back to the concrete.

Ash and I continued at a steady pace as I looked up at the beautiful sky. As I turned the corner, Astrid suddenly fell behind, stopping to mess around with the flowers on the grass. We didn't have anywhere to be so instead of rushing her, I took a quick break as well, still looking at the blue and yellow gradient hues surrounding me.

After about half a minute I began moving forward a bit, pulling her leash to urge her to keep walking. She finally did, so I picked my pace up, but not before I bumped into someone, causing my sketchbook and all of the loose papers inside to the fall to the ground.

"I am so sorry," I said, scrambling to pick everything up, fumbling with Astrid's leash in my hand.

"It's okay, I wasn't paying attention either. Here, let me help you." I looked up to see who the voice belonged to and realized it was the man I saw at the ice cream shop yesterday. I smiled politely as our eyes met, him returning it as he bent down to my height, beginning to grab the papers that were slightly lifting off of the ground.

The setting sun colored everything warm, not missing his tanned skin and dark hair that was long enough to start curling the tiniest bit, peeking out from underneath his hat. I noticed a faint stubble peppering the skin around his lips and across his strong jaw as he moved closer to grab a paper by my right foot.

Forgive me for noticing him in vivid detail. All I have to say in my defense is that I'm an art major.

I glanced at him as he shuffled to my left side, but quickly averted my eyes when his met mine. I noticed that he was studying me, as if trying to gauge my reaction for something. I awkwardly stood up, realizing he got all of the papers and grabbed Ash to hold in my arms.