Life in the Eyes of an Artist

Chapter 8- Travis's girlfriend.......maybe?

"That is the cutest thing ever!" Amber squeals.

"Try to keep your voice down!" I tell her but I'm smiling at the reaction.

We're in the girls bathroom with bathroom passes clutched in our hands. It's the start of first period but I couldn't wait til lunch to give Amber the details of my supposed date and anyway it's private or I at least want it to be.

The whole school knowing about my relationship or the possible start of one would not be the highlight of my sophomore year. Chelsys one wish seems to be to wreck havoc in any part of my life as possible and that's not something I want happening, especially if my love life got involved.

"This is so awesome I mean, my best friend actually has a BOYFRIEND!" Amber shouts the last part.

"It was one date, he's not my boyfriend"

"If you say that he's not your boyfriend or you don't think he likes you then I might have to punch you in the nose because it is so obvious!!!"

Typical Amber.

A squeak sounds from the bathroom door as it cracks open. A girl with mousy brown hair and glasses walks through and looks at us in a shy sort of matter. Even though this girl poses no threat, Amber and I shut up. Somethings are only for best friends ears.

"Talk to you later?" Amber whispers as we finish washing our hands and I nod my approval.

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I slide into my seat in art class and steal a glance towards Travis, hoping maybe something has changed between us. When I see him smile back, I can tell that it has.

I guess maybe I stared a little to long at Travis because I hear someone clear their throat and look up to see Amber staring at me with a knowing look.

The class continues but it seems that for the first time ever I'm not interested in what's being said about art. Even during our free sketch period I find myself doodling pictures of Travis as I relive last night on the hill.

The bell rings and I slam my sketchbook closed as my cheeks flush at the realization of what I'd done all period.

I follow the jumble of kids as they scramble out the door. I feel someone bump my shoulder and I turn and see Travis looking down and smiling at me. I smile back but before I can find anything to say, he's gone. Taken by the horde of kids trying to leave the school.

"You might want to watch what's in front of you Riley" I hear Amber tease behind me. I smile and stares at the floor.

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I finally get home and right as I throw my bag on my bed, my phone rings.

Not at all to my surprise, It's Amber.

"Hey" I say as I bring the phone up to my ear.

"YOU WILL NEVER BELIEVE WHAT HAS JUST HAPPENED TO ME!!!"

Amber yells so loud that I have to hold the phone a few inches away from my ear.

"Umm. Ok, what happened?"

But it's like Amber never heard me. I can still hear her yelling on the other end of the phone.

"ok, ok" she says, breathless from all her screaming.

"Alex just......ASKED ME OUT ON A DATE!!!"

" wait you mean the jerk Alex who left you at that party?"

"On the contrary, I actually left and he is actually really nice when you get to know him!"

"Ok" I say but there's that tone in my voice that shows I don't trust him.

"Can you please just be happy for me?"

"I am happy for you!"

"Good because you are totally helping me get ready!"

"Yes I know but I'm not as good at makeup as you are!"

"Oh whatever. Don't even try wriggling out of this!"

"Ok,ok" I mumble. "Hey I'll talk to you later. Got to do stuff"

"Alright, just don't work to hard doodling pictures of Travis!"

I roll my eyes even though I know Amber can't see me.

"Ok then I guess, bye"

"Bye"

I have a frown on my face as I hang up. Alex and Amber can only end with Ambers heart broken and her in a puddle of tears.

I do actually do exactly what Amber said I would do and that's doodle. And it his pictures of Travis. I just love the shape of his face, his eyes, the way his hair falls down in front of his face. The thought makes me feel all warm and happy inside.

Mom finally calls me to dinner and I eat and then get ready for bed. Finally I'm lay in bed with Lilly curled up in a ball at my feet, breathing slow and even breathes as she sleeps. I, however, can not sleep.

They say those with creative minds tend to stay up longer and I think it's true. We feel like we need to think about the world around us and how it functions and basically rethink out whole life.

Sometimes these little thinking sessions are useful as they can help us solve problems or brainstorm a great idea. They can also make things worse because we tend to overthink things and cause our selfs anxiety.

My thinking session tonight was the latter. I couldn't stop worrying about Amber and how Alex would treat her. Despite what some might think, Amber can be fragile and I don't want to see her have her heart broken.

I probably stayed awake for an hour just mulling over the possibilities of Ambers relationship with Alex. My mind soon began to wonder to other things and I started to doze as thoughts drift through my head. I eventually feel into a deep sleep with Amber still in the back of my mind.
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The next day I arrived to school early which was new for me because I normally arrive later so I don't have to wait for class to start.

When I walked in the front doors, Travis was there, leaning against the lockers with a nervous look on his face.

"Hey" he said as he started to walk along side me. I looked up at him and saw him bite his lip, a tendency that most nervous people have.

After only a few seconds he says.

"Riley can I talk to in somewhere more private?"

I suddenly become aware of the crowd of students in the hallway.

"Uh, sure"

He steers me toward a quiet hallway and I lean against a locker as he wrings his hands together.

"Umm, so Riley I was wondering.......do you want to"

Travis takes a sharp intake of breathe.

"Be my...girlfriend. I mean I understand if-"

But I cut him off.

"Yes! Yes! Yes!" I yell and grab my arms around his neck.