The Me You Stole ✔

Beauty 15

Walking back to her bedroom after Rene's departure, Andrea felt numb. Gara was equally miserable. Andrea hadn't even noticed where she was going until she heard Gara gasp.

Slowing in her stride, Andrea focused on the door; it wasn't far from the portraits. Going there to think was almost automatic. She would have urged Gara farther down the hall to look at them, but Grandfather's portrait was gone, so she was in no hurry.

The smaller woman trembled, and Andrea understood. She nodded in agreement as she looked up at the carefully crafted images in the steel door. It was her grandfather's private study. The plaque above it read Suffering for art is the only true beauty in the Colony.

"I miss him, too," Andrea said.

Gara stared at the words, and Andrea turned to match her stoic posture.

"He always talked about you, that you were his favorite student. Just so you know," Andrea assured her.

Gaze cast low, Gara said, "I honestly hope not."

"Why?"

"Because that would be the worst thing anyone's ever said to me," Gara muttered.

"What?" Andrea asked, feeling numb.

With a heavy sigh, Gara glanced at her. "Nothing."

Andrea decided she couldn't allow this disrespect—she'd already allowed so many other instances of it. "You know, you didn't even come to his funeral. Nobody did. After all he's done for you.... He allowed you here when it was still an all-boys school. I wanted to let you know that I think it's very awful of you not to show more appreciation."

For a long moment, Gara wrestled with something she wanted to say. Eventually, she sucked in a deep breath and muttered, "I can say with all honesty, I owe what I am to your grandfather." Her eyes misted until she blinked them back. "That I can say without a doubt."

The words had a strange edge to them, and Andrea thought to inquire just what the smaller woman meant but bolts sounded at the door, drawing their focus.

The door creaked open, and Dom's dark hair appeared as the boy peered out. He was startled at the sight of them but said nothing as he slipped out and walked away.

He'd left the door ajar, and Andrea frowned. Grandfather hated that.

Before she could go to close it, Gara hurried to overtake her. "Hey, do you mind if I hang around here for a minute? I'll go ahead and head to bed when I'm finished. I just...I just need to get something."

"Get something? Like what?" Andrea asked.

"No...nothing. I just...." the smaller woman's body drooped finally. "To be honest, after what just happened to poor Rene, I just wanna be by myself, and this room holds a lot of memories for me. Is that okay?"

Glancing at the engraving again, Andrea read the message once more: Suffering for art is the only true beauty in the Colony. If Gara meant that Rene had suffered, then Andrea could understand. She would have gone in, too, but she didn't want to associate her grandfather's memory with anything negative.

Relenting, she nodded. "Sure. I'll see you later then. I need a walk, too."

"S-sure," Gara said, slipping into the room.

After she was gone, Andrea stared at the closed door and then turned and walked away. The air was still, the halls barren. Someone sat on the wall bordering the courtyard, and when Andrea spotted who it was, she decided to sit down beside him.

She hefted herself up after three attempts and hoped Tanner wouldn't notice or comment.

"Good night, ja?" Tanner said.