Where The Light Doesn't Reach

18.

"A gazebo...?"

I stare at the old wooden structure, wider and larger than ones I've seen in movies or tv shows. It hasn't been used in awhile, the white paint chipping away as dust lines the top of the sides. It's lit up nicely by string lights, those of which are also weathered by age. Quite a few bulbs are shattered or missing, but despite all of that, it's somehow beautiful—

A painting come to life.

It stands alone in the middle of a circle of trees, the space wide enough so that those who make it up the small hill can enjoy sitting and gazing out at the stars, yet hidden so well that you could pass it by completely without even noticing. I'm certain that without the lights I wouldn't have seen it, although it seems as if Gray brought us here purposefully with prior knowledge of it's existence. I wonder how he'd found it, since this isn't a well-known hiking spot, though clearly he'd taken the time to explore the area at some point. He'd just moved here not too long ago, so it's pretty impressive that he already found someplace like this.

It's like a set from a movie, or a romantic novel—

Not that I've read much of those.

I turn to the taller boy, only slightly startled to see him already watching me. A smile dons his face, and my heart leaps as I notice how the warm yellow glow of the lights catch his features beautifully.

He's gorgeous, as usual. It's nothing new, yet somehow my brain always acts like I'm seeing him for the first time.

He's always throwing me off.

"What d'you think?" Gray asks, gesturing to the place in question. I blink, pulling myself from my thoughts before glancing between the gazebo and him.

In my opinion, he's much more interesting to stare at, but I don't think that's the answer he wants to hear. Well, maybe it is, but he's never going to get it from me.

Not out loud, anyways.

"It's gorgeous." I breathe, and Gray lets out a small relieved sigh. "But..." I start, turning my full attention back to the wooden structure. "Why a gazebo...?"

Gray's facing it as well. "I wasn't sure if you'd want to come out here, actually. It was a guess." He shrugs.

I nod, agreeing. It's not the usual place I'd visit, but then again, I don't really go anywhere.

"I wanted to be alone a bit longer tonight, and since you're not really up for crowds or loud noises, I figured this would be a good spot. Here we can sit and talk, or smoke— anything really."

I turn to him with a quirked up eyebrow, lifting my hand to wave my new art supplies.
"Like making some art?"

He chuckles. "Exactly."

He's right, of course - it's the perfect place for someone like me. Here we can be outside without anyone else there to distract us, the stillness of nature and the buzzing cicadas more relaxing than anywhere else I've been before. I'd never gone out into the woods like this, but I think perhaps I like it.

"Well, come on then." I tell him, "I just got these metallic watercolors and I'm dying to use them."

Gray agrees and we both step into the gazebo, wiping away some of the dirt with our sleeves before rolling them up and placing our materials around us. Luckily Gray brought some napkins and water bottles from the car, so even if it's not the ideal art station, it's functional and more than anything I'd had before.

I place my drawing pad on my knee, sketching a basic outline of what I want to create. It's only going to be a bust, not to mention much less stylized than my usual stuff, as it's meant to be different than my other drawings.