AllFreeNovel
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I’m the first to look away. What are we playing at, this game of ours? Is that what Leyna meant the other day when she said,You like games? I’ll give you games?
Despite my meandering internal monologue, the drawing is taking shape. I’ve saved her hair for last. I’ve done the entire painting in charcoal but I’m going to do her hair in magenta. I love the colour contrast and how the purplish-pink pops off the page. Then a thought springs into my head. I take the magenta pastel and colour in her nipples to match her vibrant hair. I’m pleased with the effect.
As though she knows what I’ve done, she catches my eye and I drop the charcoal like a guilty boy caught stealing sweets. Yes, I feel guilty standing here, taking liberties with charcoal and pastel, tracing the smooth curves and dark contours of her body and I hear her words again,Are you ashamed?Possibly, but I feel fucking energized.
We are both well out of our depth with whatever it is we are playing here.
I’m so wrapped up in the drawing and my thoughts that I barely notice Karinna. She’s already walked towards Leyna and is ushering her out of the room.
Karinna returns and says, ‘I’d like to thank everyone for coming once again. Unfortunately, our model won’t be able to continue and so this will be our last class for the foreseeable future. I will start the search for another model but, as you know, there is no guarantee. Make sure I have your emails and I will send out a message when I’m able to secure another date for the art class.’
Immediately I feel like all the air has been sucked out of the room and I stand there staring into space like a complete idiot. This can’t be it. I’ve only just started. Leyna is my inspiration, my muse. Ever since I’ve started coming to these art classes, I’ve felt like a completely transformed person, finding meaning in the beautiful and happiness where I never expected. What am I going to do if I can’t see her? Can’t see her like this?
I can’t go back to the way things were before the art class, before I saw Leyna, before I felt inspired. My mind races, searching for a solution because I can’t go backwards—we can’t go backwards.
I know the answer before the thought even finishes forming in my head.
I pack up my stuff, throw on my scarf and jacket, grab my bag, and head for the door.
Chapter 17
Leyna
So, my stint as a nudemodel has come to an end. It was fun while it lasted, and the money was decent. I’m proud of challenging myself to do something beyond my normal, but it’s time to move on. Time to find some other hair-brained scheme so I can save up for my art gallery.
I’m in the room adjacent to the one the artists use. I’ve kept the wig on because it’s too much of a faff to take it off here. Plus, it’s cold outside and it keeps my head warm. I take my time so as not to run into anyone, especially Jack, now that I know he’s been coming to these art classes for weeks. He’s the reason I’m leaving, after all.
Finally, I exit the room and follow a long corridor that eventually leads to a different car park on the opposite side of the building. I walk down a set of stairs and head towards the back entrance when I hear a voice behind me.
‘Excuse me...’ The familiar deep voice lets the words hang mid-air.
I know it’s Jack even before I turn around.Fucking hell. I’ve been caught. I scrounge around in my bag and put on my sunglasses. I know I look ridiculous, but I don’t care. I tell myself I’m like one of those celebrities who hide behind their shades in interviews.
I turn around very slowly, careful not to say anything. Would he recognise my voice if I spoke? I recognised his, after all.
‘Hi, sorry to bother you like this, but Karinna said you won’t be modelling for the class anymore, is that right?’
