Jayden
Two months and two weeks had passed since I last saw Allison. The ache within me still lingered, a constant reminder of what I had lost. It felt like a piece of me had been ripped away, leaving a gaping hole that could never be filled.
But I knew it was for the best. We had to sever ties, for I was toxic to her happiness. I was the guy who could never have her, and it was better for her to stay away from me.
I stood in my small exhibition, surrounded by vibrant hearts and canvas artwork that seemed to pulsate with life. The air was alive with the gentle hum of conversation, the soft laughter of strangers, and the occasional gasp of admiration. Couples strolled hand-in-hand, their eyes scanning the artwork with wonder. Children pointed excitedly, their tiny hands grasping for their parents’.
Just then, a young woman tapped my shoulder, jolting me from my reverie. “Hey,” she whispered, her voice husky.
I turned to face her, forcing a smile onto my lips. “Hello,” I replied, my voice low. “How may I help you?”
Her eyes sparkled as she spoke, her voice filled with infectious enthusiasm. “I saw a beautiful artwork, and I would love to have it. I wonder if you could sell it to me? I’ll pay any amount you want.”
I smiled and replied, “Of course, but may I see the artwork you want to purchase?”
The woman nodded and led me to the piece, which hung on the wall, almost at the center of the exhibition. Our eyes met, and I felt a jolt of electricity run through me.
The artwork was a stunning pair of eyes that seemed to bore into my soul, conveying two emotions at once: love and…lust. The black and white pencil strokes were delicate yet bold, capturing the subject’s essence with haunting precision. My gaze lingered on the eyes, and a pang of sadness washed over me. I sighed deeply, reluctantly tearing my eyes away to face the woman.
“I’m sorry, but this is not for sale,” I said, my voice firm but gentle.
The woman’s eyes widened in surprise. “But why not? It’s so beautiful.”
I chuckled. “I know, right? I get a lot of people asking to buy it, but I won’t be parting with it anytime soon. It’s special to me.”
The woman’s curiosity was piqued. “I’m curious, what do you mean it’s special to you?”
My eyes drifted back to the artwork. “This piece is actually my muse,” I said, my gaze locked on the beautiful eyes I’d captured. “I was able to perfect them here, but not the others. That’s why I won’t part with this piece. Just looking at them brings back memories of her.”
I paused, my voice cracking with emotion. “I had to cut myself away from her for reasons I’d rather not disclose, but this artwork makes me remember her. What I miss most about her is her waist, her back… but I abused that, so I guess I’ll have to hold onto the memory of her beautiful eyes, which I feel so sad about not seeing up to this day.”
The woman’s eyes sparkled with curiosity, but I could sense a hint of restraint. She nodded graciously and said, “Wow, I have a lot of questions, but I’m sure this is your personal life, so I’ll keep them to myself.”
She thanked me and wandered off, glancing at the other artworks on display.
I stood there, frozen, as the woman walked away. My gaze returned to the eyes, my mind consumed by memories of Allison. Suddenly, a soft voice whispered from behind, “Is that me?”
I swallowed hard, my heart racing, and slowly turned to face Allison. She stood before me, her eyes fixed on the artwork, her hand grasping a walking stick for support.
“Allison, what are you doing here?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper, my eyes scrolling down to her leg. “And what happened to you?”
She turned to me, her eyes blazing with intensity. “I asked a question. Is that me?”
I hesitated, unsure of how to respond.
Allison’s gaze dropped to the floor, her shoulders sagging. “Why did you draw me? Why did you…?” Her voice trailed off, overcome with emotion.
I took a step forward, my hands raised in a placating gesture. “I’m sorry, Allison. I’ll take it down right now.”
But before I could act, her eyes narrowed. “Wait, you’re supposed to be in Spain, right? What happened?”
My gaze flicked to the door, where my Dad stood, watching us with an inscrutable expression. He nodded curtly and departed, leaving me to face Allison’s questions.
“Why don’t we go into my office so we can talk?” I suggested, my voice soft.
Allison nodded, her eyes still flashing with anger and hurt. She followed me, her walking stick tapping softly on the floor.
We walked into my office, and I offered her a chilled soda from the mini-fridge. She took it, placing it on the table as she sat down. I followed suit, my eyes locking onto hers.
“Are you going to tell me now why you never went to Spain?” she asked, her voice tinged with a mix of curiosity and accusation. “I thought you promised to go there and stay out of the location that I live in.”
I shifted uncomfortably in my seat. “I couldn’t go.”
Allison’s eyes narrowed. “Why not?”
I shook my head. “Because I felt like staying. I changed my mind.”
Her gaze turned skeptical. “But you promised you would stay away from me. That’s what we both wanted, right?”
I nodded, feeling a pang of guilt. “I’m sorry our paths crossed again like this. I didn’t plan for this to happen. You just appeared, and…”
My expression softened slightly and my brows furrowed. “But wait, how did you know this is my place though?”
“I called your father, and he told me you were around,” She replied, rolling her eyes. “Anyway, I called you, but you weren’t picking up.”
My eyes widened in surprise. “You called me? Sorry, I changed numbers because I thought we needed space. Wow! Can’t still believe you called, Allison.”
Allison closed her eyes, her voice barely above a whisper. “Excited much?”
“Hmm… just confused,” I replied.
“Better then,” she nodded.
“But why did you call?”