Gifted

Chapter Eleven

Thankfully, my old routine was falling into place by the weekend. Saturday morning I surprised Iris with a trip to the Art Museum. Surrounded by the exquisite pieces and array of colors, you would have thought it was Christmas morning to her. Her face lit up the moment I told her where we were going.

I followed behind as she walked from piece to piece in awe, gushing over every stroke. No moment was wasted on her. It felt great to be able to bring her such joy. After she was satisfied she had seen everything there was to be seen we decided on grabbing an early dinner before we headed back to school.

We sat in a quiet deli, devouring croissants while Iris happily prattled on about the exhibits. It was the first time I didn't have to pry a conversation out of her. She was downright bubbly. It was also the first time, I realized, she did not hide behind her hair. Her shiny black mane was pulled back in a ponytail. Her eyes were wide and bright; the grey didn't seem washed out at all, there almost seemed to be a sparkle to them.

She took a sip of her soda and lost a little of her smile. "What's wrong?" I asked worried.

"I just realized I haven't stopped talking! It was just so wonderful." She was lively and animated, something I had never seen in Iris.

"No, I'm glad. It's usually me doing all the talking anyway...well, no, I take that back. It's usually Kenzie doing all the talking." We both shared a laugh over that, Iris nodding in agreement. I decided to use the opportunity to press Iris for personal information.

"Do you paint?"

"Um, I try. I'm nothing like the artists at the museum, but its fun for me."

I picked at the remaining croissant. "Can I see them sometime?"

Iris took so long to answer; I had to look up to make sure she was still sitting with me. "I guess so," she finally said.

"If they're too private I understand-"

"No, that's not it; it's just no one's ever seen them before." She played with the straw in her drink. "No one's ever asked."

"Well, I would love to; if you don't mind."

"I don't mind." She smiled shyly, and I knew I had broken down a small barrier in Iris. I had a feeling her paintings were something that comforted her. I was excited she agreed to share them with me.

We took a cab back to school and were crossing the courtyard when I heard my name called. The day was gloomy, but still warm; and the campus seemed busy with people enjoying their day off. Nolan was coming from the boys' dorm and called my name again. As he closed the space between us, he called out, "Do you have a second?"

I gave Iris an apologetic look, but promised I'd be up to her room in just a moment. She waved a greeting to Nolan and hurried off to the girls' dorm. I turned my attention to Nolan and asked, "So what's up?" I eyed him curiously. We'd talked more lately; it wasn't as if he had been giving me the cold shoulder, things were just a little awkward between us now.