Naked (Wattys 2022)

Part 11

I couldn't bring myself to speak whilst Calhoun drove. I tried my best not to look at him but alas my eyes drifted towards the side of his face consistently.

"Hey Eli! We are here." Calhoun said as he squeezed my shoulder.

"mmm okay." I'd forgotten about orientation day whilst staring at him.

"I'll be with you all the time, don't worry."He said but I couldn't help but be uncertain about his statement. He had friends as well, and I realised that they needed his attention as much as I did. That being friends meant you needed to give them your time as well. Not only one towards one, but many in his case.

I sighed and got out of the car, I was over analyzing way too much. My eyes widened as I scanned the scene in front of me. There were so many people.

"Let's go." Calhoun said bumping his shoulder into me. I definitely liked that he didn't bring up my anxiousness again. His happy go lucky mood affected me in a good way. Making the first step a little easier.

As we walked I came to realise that everyone was nervous as well. Fidgeting, sweating and being one sided. I felt as if I weren't alone anymore. That there were people just like me.

For the first time I didn't feel like the abomination they made me out to be.

"Hey Eli! Over here!" I looked to my left and saw Wendy walk towards me along with someone unfamiliar.

"Want to get some cool aid and sit under the tree with some of my friends?" I looked towards Calhoun.

"You go hang with Wendy. I'll find my friends back at the entrance and meet you in time for orientation, alright?" Our studies were different. So orientation would be opposite for the both of us. I was an art student whilst  Calhoun was a med student.

When Calhoun asked about my artworks I refrained from showcasing them to him. Eventually when I was ready Id show him the abuse that I came to love, the deceit that I bared and the emotional pain I'd gone through.

I stared at Calhouns retreating figure with an immense amount of doubt.

"Do you like him?" Calhoun was attractive but he was also more than his looks. However, I was unsure of whether I liked him or not but for now it seemed good to have a friend.

"This is Greyson." She knew that I couldnt answer so she changed the subject. I smiled at him and he reciprocated.

As we walked towards the art buildings cafeteria my stomach growled. I forgot to eat breakfast. Wendy chuckled as she stared at me with a knowing expression.

"Let's get you some food too."

"Since when are you so nice Wendy?" Greyson asked in a serious tone. Wendy ignored his cryptic question and eventually Greyson walked away. I didn't want to ask. It was none of my business.

We spoke about getting some art supplies together before stepping inside. It was warmer in the building which made me sigh in relief.

"I'll go an order? Go find us a seat?" I nodded as she walked towards the short line. I searched for a place that had good sunlight and smiled once I got a spot.

But before I could reach for the chair someone else decided to do so before me.

I was bummed, that was the only spot that had a good amount of sunshine.

"If you're going to keep that bottom lip jetted out I might just give you the moon." I looked up and didn't know how to answer him. He sat down with his guitar case watching me.

He had hazel colored eyes and dark brown hair. He had a mole on the middle of his bottom lip that instantly caught my attention. He was attractive.

"You have it." He smiled softly at me before walking away. My eyes couldn't help but follow his every movement.

"oh! I like your eyes!" He complimented, turning around briefly. I had two different coloured eyes. One blue and one green. I wasnt considered normal in some households. So when he said he liked them it took me by surprise.  He didn't look at them as if they were empty.

"Who were you talking to?" Wendy asked and I shook my head with a slight smile. I couldn't quite accept the compliment, but the feeling that came along with it was something I would've liked to feel once in a while.

For some reason I wanted to meet him again.

After breakfast we rushed towards orientation. All the students in the building had name tags around their necks.

The gathering wasn't too long, it was just some basics and what we would expect from the overall process.

"Remember to express yourself in the truest form possible. This is your canvas. This is your creation. This, is you."

The ending line gutted me.

Who was I?

"Hey blue." I turned around and it was the hazelnut eyed guy. I figured that he'd be in the art department as well.

I couldnt question the name he gave me and rather accepted how well it fit.

"Aren't you going to have some?" I looked down at the strawberries and apples on the platter and I grinned.

"I'm Kai."