7 Chapter 6 (1/2)

”Hey!” I greeted as I peeked in the slightly ajar door.

Lester and I had just gotten home from the amazing parade and I couldn't wait to see Lena. I knew she was in this wing somewhere. And hearing her voice when I passed this area just proved me right.

She didn't hear me though. Lena was facing the wall, her back to me. She was wearing jeans today, and another gray shirt, both stained with paint. Again, she was barefoot, her shoes are probably somewhere in this room under all the newspapers covering the floor. She was bobbing her head and softly singing along to something, I couldn't make out the words, I don't think it's even English.

She moved her head slightly and that's when I noticed the earphones attached to her ear. My earphones.

I couldn't help the smile that shaped in my lips, the warmth that grew in my chest, the weird sensation, joy, of seeing her using something of mine, of course technically it's hers since I gave it to her, but still. There was tingling. Good tingling.

I cleared my throat and tried again. This time louder. ”Hey! uhh.. Lena.”

She stopped and turned to face me.

There is no storm this time. Her eyes were so calm for a minute it could have fooled me that it was silver, even white. 2 orbs of clouds peacefully floating in the sky during a good day.

”Asher.” It was cool, calm, collected.

It didn't have the excitement that I have when I see her. But I'd take that over her shouting any time. Actually, I'd take anything from her.

I idled for a minute.

”Uhh. I just came from the parade. Did you watch?”

She took off my – her earphones before answering. Placing it on one of the empty paint trays on the floor. ”No.”

”Oh. It was pretty awesome.”

She turned her back to me and continued painting.

Is she done talking to me?

”Yeah, I heard. But I have a deadline.”

I blew a breathe of relief. She's still talking.

”Oh. That's too bad. I have pictures if you want to see?”

I didn't know why I offered. I knew she would say no, but I still couldn't help myself from hoping. Maybe because it was such a great experience for me, I wanted to share it with her.

She shrugged. I knew it.

”Sure.”

”Huh?” I must have heard wrong.

”I wanna see the pictures.” She turned to face me then sat on the floor right below her painting.

”Uh.. o-okay.”

”Are you sure you wanna show me? I mean, it's okay if you don't.” Her right eyebrow was slightly raised, her head tilted.

”No. I mean, yeah. I mean, I wanna show you.” I moved to seat beside her and handed her my camera, showing where to press.

I watched her as she watched the pictures. Later, a small curve formed at the corner of her lips, until it broke out into a real smile.

”You're good.” She commented, still looking through the pictures.

”uhh. Thanks.” It feels kind of weird how she's being nice instead of screaming and storming out on me. But I'm not complaining.

”Where'd you study?”

”Oh. I didn't.” I answered honestly. For some reason, I didn't feel embarrassed about that fact. I didn't feel like I had to lie, to make up a story to impress her.

”I didn't go to college. Well, I did, for a year. Then I stopped. So… yeah.”

”Oh. I didn't even finish Highschool.” She answered nonchalantly, like it wasn't a big deal.

And really, it wasn't.

”Oh.” I answered, hoping she'd continue.

”Yeah.” I guess that's it.

”I started too, but I didn't finish.” She continued.

”So I guess that's something we have in common.”

She shrugged.