Run

Chapter Twenty-One

I wake up the next morning to find Alex dressed and ready for the day.

"Hey!" He smiles when he sees me sit up, "You want to go find a good art spot after some breakfast?"

I feel like a statue, my whole body is so stiff and here he is acting like a kid on Christmas, "Aren't we chipper today. How long have you been awake?"

"Twenty minutes, I woke up and felt wide awake so I figured I would get a start on the day. So, why don't we go get breakfast and then go find a spot where you can draw?"

I nod as I slowly rise off the floor, when I'm standing up I feel my back pop all the way down my spine. It's painful. I miss the bed.

Grabbing my clothes, I disappear into the bathroom and get dressed. It's not very cold here right now, in the mid 70's it seems, so I elected to wear some dark shorts and a white t-shirt. I tuck my shirt into the high waist of the short shorts, I think I look good, artistic. Putting on my light makeup and pulling on my boots, I strut into the bedroom.

"Wow, you look.... Wow," Alex is stunned staring at me, he stares so long I'm afraid he can see through my shirt.

My palms start to sweat the longer he stares, "A-are you ready to go?

He nods, he keeps nodding as he pulls his shoes on and grabs his wallet. Together we head to the door, he keeps his head down as he opens it for me.

We walk down the road and head into town, it's not busy but there are people out and about trying to find sights. I can't help but feel pulled in too, there are a lot of shops and boutiques to look at.

An hour and a half later, we come to find a street that has a constant flow of people with an open curb in front of one of the stores, there's a nice little bench on the sidewalk for people to sit on while I draw.

"What about here?" Alex stands on the corner, looking at me hopeful.

I look around, "I think this could work, we can come back tomorrow and I'll get started."

He smiles, "Ok, so is there anything you'll need besides the obvious?"

Shrugging my shoulders I squint at the sun, "Maybe some samples of my work and something to put them on. I've never done this Alex."

I can see him thinking as his eyebrows furrow and he bites him upper lip, "Ok, well how about we get some food and head back to the hotel and we'll go from there."

Coming back over to me, he throws his arm over my shoulder to walk me back to the motel. We pick up some food on our way back so we can just relax all day. With no chance of blackouts and a new beautiful city, we just want to spend one day in peace.

Alex manages to find some game shows and we binge for most of the day. We bounce from eating, to talk about tomorrow, to me creating sample art.

He sits starting at my hands while I draw samples of him and pictures of Jen, "I think it's amazing to watch you draw, you get so focused and your hands move so precisely and gracefully."

I glance up at him, stopping my drawing. I don't know what to say, I'm lost staring into his mesmerized eyes while I try to find some words.

"D-don't, just don't move," I feel like my brain is shutting down when he does this. I lose all composure.

His gaze stays fixated on me and my hands, I try to ignore him to focus on drawing.

Nothing changes until I've finally decided to stop, it's seven o'clock and my hands are sore and I'm running low on sketchbook space. Alex rises from the bed like its painful to still sit.