“—As you all know, many artists throughout the centuries have found art as a release, or an escape from the dark world they live in.” Rob, my painting teacher spoke with a deep, attractive voice tone that caught the attention of everyone in class easily. Especially Sophie’s. “Others, might have found it as a mere hobby to kill time with.” He leans on his desk, in khaki dress pants and a button down dark blue shirt. He looked really attractive today, I had to admit. “And all the same, some used art as a therapy for the soul. I like to think of art as a way of living. To live with art in your life is to live appreciating and observing every detail of the world. Capturing memorable moments, representing feelings deeper than we could imagine. Living with art is living in happiness. Art can find beauty among the darkest places, as it can find darkness in the brightest.”
“I can’t anymore Sam, I just want to push him against a wall and make out with him so badly!” Sophie groaned next to me and did a humping motion under the table. I stifled a laugh and concentrated hard on breathing properly.
“Hush woman, I’m trying to listen.” I whispered to her, though it was not exactly true. I was still thinking about my encounter with Mike earlier that morning. The mere thought of having him in front of me made my legs go weak and my body to tremble horribly. Was it a dream? It didn’t seem real, it was too good to be true.
I’d met the drummer from my favorite band of all time Pierce The Veil. I’d met the beautiful Mike Fuentes in person. I was drinking a coffee paid by Mike himself. I pinched my skin tightly and registered an acute pain. No, not a dream.
Oh but I was so stupid! How could I have not asked for a picture with him or an autograph! Stupid stupid stupid! I was so going to regret this for the rest of my life. I groaned and put my head in my hands, tears threatening to escape. This was so ridiculous, I didn’t even know the guy! Oh but it really hurt, knowing he’s out there and not being able to speak to him again or get coffee from him.
“Samantha, are you okay?” A deep voice said from above me. I snapped my head up, startled, to see Rob in front of me, eyeing me worriedly.
I quickly composed myself. “Oh yes, I’m fine.” I said. “I just didn’t sleep well last night.” Lie. I slept like a baby every night.
“Well, alright then.” He sighed. “Did you hear what I just said a couple of minutes ago?” He asked.
What? He was talking about living with art, but I wasn’t exactly sure what. “I’m sorry, no.” I looked down, ashamed.
“I gave you all an assignment.” He ran a hand through his hair. “You have two weeks to make a piece representing your life with art in it. How it’s changed it, how it makes you feel. Just try and make it transmit the impact art has in your life.”
Oh, that sounded pretty cool. “Great, any kind of media?” I asked.
“Yes, but I’d rather it’d be a painting or a drawing, coming from you. It’s what you do best.” He gave me a wink and walked back to his desk, as the bell rang signaling class was over.
Sophie and I quickly picked up our bags and headed towards the door.
“Sophie, wait.” Rob called after us. “Could you stay back a bit? I have something I’d like to discuss with you.” His smile was casual , but I knew Sophie had a million things that were crossing her mind.
“Sure. I’ll see you later Sam.” She winked giddily at me and I closed the door to the classroom as I left.
Fifteen minutes later, I sat under a tree in a small park, a couple of blocks from school. Children ran around happily, people walked their dogs and couples shared food on spread blankets on the grass. I smiled at the scene. Everyone looked so happy and………alive. I looked down at the sketchbook propped on my legs, a half completed sketch on the paper’s surface.
The sketch was simple, it was of a couple who sat in a blanket, both reading their own books. Comfortable with each other, not minding the silence, just each sharing the feeling of being absorbed in a story that made you forget the real world. The girl was lying down on the boy’s lap, book held in the air. I added details to her hair with a 6B pencil, highlighting the darker areas. I then proceeded to add texture to their clothing, including the way the material folded according to their position. I sketched abstract lines around them, resembling the grass around them.
About thirty minutes later, I finished. Holding up the sketchbook, I regarded my piece. I loved it. Taking out my phone, I snapped a picture of it and got up. I approached the couple.
“Hey guys um, I don’t mean to be a creep, but I’m an art student and I was sitting over there by the tree.” I pointed towards where I was as the boy and girl looked at me with curious eyes. “And well, I ended up sketching you guys.” I held out the piece of paper with the drawing on it, and saw as their eyes grew wide in their sockets, regarding my art.
“This is……..this is amazing.” The girl whispered, smiling up at me. “You really have a gift.”
“Thank you.” The boy said sincerely, he pulled the girl to his side and kissed her hair as she still looked at the drawing, dazed.
“It’s really nothing. I liked how it turned out.” I shrugged and waved them goodbye.
After a few steps, my phone started buzzing in my jeans. I took it out and pressed the answer button.
“Samantha you are not going to believe this!” Sophie exclaimed into the phone.
I sighed and smiled to myself. “What is it?”
“Rob asked me if I could stay after class for a couple of minutes every day for the next two weeks because he was moved with my paper about ´the meaning of art´, and wants to discuss it in detail with me.” She breathed quickly, and continued. “He says I have a pretty good shot at getting it published in this artist’s magazine he knows and wants to help me edit it!” She squealed loudly.
“Wow Sophie that’s huge!” And it was. “Congrats.” I said as I walked on the sidewalk.
“I know right? Not only does my writing get recognition but I get free alone time with Robbie Rob!” I laughed at her genuinely cheery tone. I loved this girl.
“Sophie, he’s your teacher.” I stated.
“I know that, duh!” She said from the other end of the line. “Oh, and about that teacher stuff. He also said that today was the last time he was going to cover for us being late.”
Crap. “Alright, I’ll make an effort to wake up earlier.” I mumbled.
“Great! Thanks Sam.” She said. “Where are you right know?”
“I’m walking up the stairs of our building, why?” I respond.
“Oh, okay. I’ll be home soon.”
“Okay, bye Sophs.” I hang up.
I unlock the door to our small apartment and inhale the familiar smell of old and fresh paint, cinnamon and chocolate. Our place was clearly an artists’. The walls of our living room were hand painted murals made by me and Sophie. When we’d first arrived here four years ago, we’d both thought the place looked plain and boring. So, after weeks of saving up for supplies we bought a ton of paint cans and started to work. The murals were splashes of multiple colors, shapes, figures and concepts. In one place you could find quotes written in different fonts, and in other places you could find human figures, a sun, a moon, a dream catcher, random figures and patterns, simple paint splatters, and several more things. It really did look amazing, and artsy.
I walked into my room and threw my bag into an armchair. My room was a whole other story. Black walls with red and white patterns painted on them by yes, me. On one corner of the room, stood an enormous book shelf with over 300 of my favorite written works; from science fiction, to romantic novels, to classics, to art books. A plain desk with a lamp on it and several sketches strewn across the surface was next to the bookshelf. On another corner stood my easel, empty for now, right under the wall shelves that held my several bottles of paint, paintbrushes and several other supplies. Finally, in the middle of the wall opposite of the bookshelf and easel, was a queen sized bed, with black and white checkered comforters. Above the head board was the phrase ´Another night, another dream wasted on you´. Lyrics by Mayday Parade, one of my favorite bands, surrounded by several sketches that I’d pinned up on the wall.
My bookshelf called to me. I approached and took out a book, ´Thirteen Reasons Why’ by Jay Asher. I was so into it and was dying to dive back in. I lay down on my bed and read until night fell, falling asleep eventually and dreaming about my encounter with Mike Fuentes over and over again, a smile plastered on my face.


“Samantha I am so not doing this again. Get your sorry ass up! Rob said we wouldn’t get another chance so COME ON.” Sophie slapped my butt as I groaned and reluctantly got up.
After a quick shower and a simple gussy-up, I was walking down the street to school, as I did most every morning.
“Ahh, I love Fridays!” Sophie exclaimed with a smile on her face. “Don’t you just love Fridays?”
“I certainly love Fridays.” I responded, smiling with her.
“I still can’t believe you got to meet Mike Fuentes just a couple of days ago!” She said, poking my ribs.
I laughed. “I know! It’s been three days and it’s still all I can ever think of! His face is permanently plastered on my brain.” I said.
She poked me again. “I’m sure your face is on his mind too Sammy, he was totally checking you out that day.” She giggled.
What? “You’re crazy.” I muttered.
“Alright, don’t believe me.” She tossed her hands up in the air and announced she’s get the bagels again. I agreed and stepped into Starbucks.
I approached the counter and asked for our regular order. As I rummaged through the back for my wallet, I heard a familiar voice behind me. A voice I’d been dreaming about for the last few days.
I sucked in a breath.
“Didn’t forget it again did you?” The one and only Mike Fuentes said from behind.
I stopped dead in my tracks and stood there with my jaw slack-open. He stared at me with amused eyes and slipped a bill to the impatient cashier. That snapped me out of my trance.
“Oh no no, I’m not letting you pay again.” I said pulling his hand down to his side and quickly paying with my own money. Oh God, I’d touched him.
“So modest.” He chuckled and asked for his coffee.
We waited for our orders in silence, where I sneaked a couple (okay, a ton) of glances in his direction. Gosh, he was so attractive.
The guy behind the counter gave us our cups and smiled at us. I sipped a bit of my cup and licked my lips.
“So, what are you doing here again?” I blurted out. I’d meant to ask him a question regarding his presence here for the second time this week, but it’d come out as an accusation.
“I’m drinking coffee.” He smiled and drank from his cup.
Just that? I’m pretty sure Mike freaking Fuentes had access to any kind of coffee he wanted. But, why come to this exact Starbucks twice in a week?
“Obviously.” I said. “I meant, why are you here again?”
“Should I not be here?” He asked with raised eyebrows.
My blood turned cold. “NO! I mean, no, you should. I mean, of course you can go get coffee wherever you please—“ I rambled. “I just find it extremely odd and unlikely that I’ve ran into you twice in a week.” I shut my mouth closed with a noticeable cluck. Shut up Sam!
“Any other person wouldn’t question it and simply enjoy my presence.” He teased.
“I’m not questioning! And I do enjoy your presence I just—“ I cut myself off and clamped my mouth shut again.
He chuckled. “You’re cute. Sam right?”
“Samantha Martinez.” I said. CUTE? My toes curled and my whole body turned warm.
“Martinez?” He asks.
“Yeah, I’m from Mexico. I just came to the States for college. I got a scholarship.”
“Oh nice, a fellow Mexican!” He says with a smile.
Of course I knew everyone in Pierce The Veil were of Mexican descent. That was one of the thousands of reasons why I loved them.
I laugh nervously. “Yeah, that I am.”
He sighed lightly and looked out the window and then down to his watch. “Well, I better run.” He said.
Cold disappointment flooded my body. Why? “Oh.” I just said.
“I’ll see you around Samantha Martinez.” He simply said and left with one last smile directed to me, leaving me staring after him, longing for him to come back.
I looked down at my hands. Shaking. This was just too good to be true.
I ran outside and told Sophie about it, shrieking loudly as I entered the breakfast place, startling plenty of people.

Notes

Sorry it's kind of boring at the beggining but please keep reading!! I have a really good feeling abot this story :)
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