Total pages in book: 75
Estimated words: 71915 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 360(@200wpm)___ 288(@250wpm)___ 240(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 71915 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 360(@200wpm)___ 288(@250wpm)___ 240(@300wpm)
Dad would say this was a waste of my time. That having a fine arts degree would lead to the unemployment line. It was true that I didn’t know what I’d be doing after graduation, but I loved creating things with my own hands and getting messy in the process. Where that might steer me, I had no clue.
Passing by Bailey and Alex’s dorm, I squinted at the third-floor window and winced. I tried to be useful the day they moved in, but Bailey had blown me off. Don’t need your help.
When I texted Mom next, she’d agreed. Alex’s parents are here too, and we have it all under control.
Mom stopped by my place afterward to take me to lunch, making excuses for Dad because he had a prior work thing. Story of our lives. He was always busy, which made sense as the CFO of a large insurance corporation. And he was banking on Bailey joining after graduation. That was Bailey’s plan, too, promising Dad he would work toward his accounting degree. I sure hoped it was worth it for him—all that hero worship.
Heading inside the art building, I planned to finish an assignment for my painting class. I grabbed a smock from the hook, then went to the sink to prep my paintbrushes. I wasn’t alone, and as I passed by a transfer student named Levi, we fist-bumped before he returned his attention to a senior molding clay into a sculpture. When I first met Levi, I thought he screamed money, but I couldn’t exactly put my finger on why—maybe the meticulous haircut and the way he carried himself? I was surprised to find out he was down to earth and shy…maybe insecure. And not so much about his sexuality—which I’d picked up on right away, queer people usually did—but more about his art and social life. So we’d been friendly ever since.
Before long, I got lost in my work. My brush swiped across the canvas as I let instinct take over. I hoped I’d get a good grade, which was so unlike me. I’d struggled through high school and bucked the system for the most part. But this mattered to me.
I stood back and studied the slightly misshapen trees I’d painted in the background. My style could be best described as surrealism because I couldn’t help adding magical flair to contemporary ideas. Some of the best artists in our program were realists, their paintings resembling photographs, which was like a trick of the eye and way cool. But I liked to interject some messiness into my art, emotions that a camera couldn’t capture in still pictures.
Still on campus? Derek texted a couple of hours later. The studio had cleared out by now, Levi offering a shy smile on his way out, and it made me curious if he’d made any friends yet. A new school setting could be tough, especially across the country, if you didn’t already know anyone. At least Bailey and Alex had each other and their swim team.
Yeah, just finishing up. I’d already washed my hands and stored the supplies.
Wanna grab some food and drinks?
I looked at the time. It was late, but I needed to eat.
Sounds good.
I lifted my backpack and left the studio. I met him in front of the student center, and we walked across the road to Shenanigans. The campus bar was a decent place to hang out and had good food.
Once we showed our IDs at the door, we were given wristbands to prove we were legal and allowed to enjoy some drinks. After we found a booth and ordered beers and burgers, I noticed a hot brunette giving me the eye from across the room. But I wasn’t interested, at least not tonight. I’d hooked up a bit in college with men and women alike, though I’d discovered I preferred guys a little more. No one’s sexuality mirrored anyone else’s, which was why I couldn’t stand the stereotypes. Thankfully, I had my friends’ and family’s support, even my dad’s, who’d joked that I had the best of both worlds. Another misconception, but whatever.
Derek was straight as hell but cool with whomever I brought home. I wasn’t looking for anything serious anyway. Didn’t think I ever would after what I witnessed with my parents. Relationships were messy, and I didn’t know what I’d do if someone cheated on me. I was still angry at Dad for ruining Mom’s trust. As far as I was concerned, it was a huge fucking deal.
“I don’t blame you, son,” Dad had said in the most patronizing tone I’d ever heard as if I were a child who’d made a mistake. But I couldn’t forgive him that easily, unlike Bailey, who swept anything painful under the rug. Their relationship hadn’t missed a beat, which didn’t surprise me. Dad never understood me as much as he did Bailey.