Blank Canvas

Chapter One (Rewrite)

"Apartment 2B," I mumble to my own reflection. I can clearly see myself in the golden tin that's nailed into the door crooked. My eyebrows and hair are perfectly trimmed. I can even spot my $124,000 Tesla Model X parked behind me. Usually, these things would give me great comfort. And yet, I can't stop tapping my black Bolvaint loafers against the concrete. I can feel the anxiety rising and crashing down like waves inside my body. Although my worry for scuffing my shoes is large, my anticipation for what is coming next far outweighs it. If only Britney would open the door.

New anxiety comes to me as I see someone walk past my car. If she doesn't let me in soon then someone might try and steal it. This neighborhood is the shittest place I've ever been. There's random garbage rolling in the streets like tumbleweeds and men with guns hanging in their grossly large pants. It almost makes me wish I was back home. Watching TV on my huge flat screen in my king-sized bed covered by luxury silk sheets. Just the thought soothes me, but I need to get this over with.

I slam my knuckles down on the door for the third time. She has made me wait far too long. I'm about to knock for a fourth time when it suddenly flings open. Britney sticks her face into the small open crack of the door. Her eyes light up as soon as they look up at me. Which is an impressive feat considering the dark bags under her eyes and the way her eyelids droop. If only she wore just a dash of makeup. It would greatly improve her face.

"Jonah! What are you doing here?" She smiles with her lips clenched together. Before I can answer, she shuts the door again. I hear several clicks and tiny clangs as she undoes her dozens of locks. In a flash, the door is wide open with Britney standing in the way. Her hair is straight, long, and a beautiful deep black. I have to resist the urge to run my hand through it. "Sorry, it took so long. I had headphones in," she lightly grabs my hand. Britney slowly pulls me into the apartment and I spare one last glance at my shiny black car before the door clicks shut.

As soon as I swivel my head back to Britney, she's against me. She pulls me down by the neck for a kiss. Her lips are like the Sahara and her hand feels like sandpaper against my flawlessly moisturized skin. I don't even close my eyes as I wait for her to tire of my listlessness. I see her tight-lipped grin shrink for a second when she pulls away. The little spot of concern in her eyes makes me shiver with excitement. Unfortunately, she quickly hides the worry in her expression. "I wasn't expecting you tonight. Not that I mind," She searches my face. I'm assuming she's looking for a sign I feel the same. It's almost cute how she tries to read my emotions but I can't feel anything. Much less for a girl like her.

"Do I have to have an excuse to spend time with my girlfriend?" I force a chuckle and move a strand of her hair back into place. Luckily, my leather Brioni gloves keep me from making true contact. "Girlfriend? I didn't think we were quite so official yet," Britney tries to bite down her joy unsuccessfully. "Well, why don't we make it official tonight and celebrate with a drink?" I take a small step back to pull my $1,790 trench coat open. The inside pocket carries a small bottle of Jack Daniel's Whiskey. I picked it up at a rundown gas station on the way here. I personally despise whiskey. The eye-watering sting just isn't worth the numbing effect, but on our first tinder date, she told me Jack Daniel's was her favorite.

Britney immediately reaches for the bottle but I pull it out first. "You go sit down and I'll fix us a drink," I start for the small kitchen connected to the living room. "Jonah Viel! If this is what you're like as a boyfriend then I should've made it officially days ago!" She yells as she goes for the couch.

I simply ignore her as she rambles about some idiotic topic while I search for glasses. She's probably going on and on about how crappy her cashier job is or how everyone she's ever cared about has abandoned her until I appeared. She's such a hopeless romantic. I've learned to tune her out easily over the week.