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"Oh, okay," Nate replies, but I can hear a hint of sadness in his voice that I hate to know I put there.
"But how about this? I'll do you another one instead?" I've never drawn a picture, especially for anyone, before. Sure, I've drawn and shown my mom and Nana, but never directly for someone before.
"I would love that," Nate says, practically leaping off the chair.
"So, what do you want to draw?" Nate asks, moving and sitting himself on the seat not far away.
Feeling a lump of anxiety form in my throat, I throw caution to the wind. "I’d like to draw you, if you'd let me."
"Me? Why me? All this beautiful scenery, and you want to draw my big head?" Nate jokes.
"As you said, I like to draw beautiful things, and you're the most beautiful thing in this garden. To me at least."
I wait patiently for his reply. After all, drawing people has always been my favorite. I'd often sit for hours during long business trips with my parents, drawing the people I saw on the streets.
"I'd be honored," Nate replies with a broad smile. "Where shall I sit?"
Looking around, I spot the perfect backdrop. "Put your chair just there." I point.
***
NATHANIEL
I do as I'm told, move the chair to where Bella points, and sit down. I'm not really sure what to do or how to sit, but I do my best.
"Nate, you are allowed to breathe, you know," Bella teases.
"Okay," I mumble, still not daring to move much in case I ruin the pose and picture.
"Nate, relax." Bella giggles.God, I love that sound.
"Naate." She giggles just a few seconds later before getting up and walking over to me. "You look as stiff as a board, relax."
"I'm trying," I reply, still not feeling very relaxed. That is, until Bella leans forward and kisses me. Instantly, I melt. I feel her push me back slightly and move my leg, so it's bent as she pushes her body against me. I reach my arm out to wrap around her, but she moves it and places it against the arm of the chair before pulling back. "See, now you're relaxed," she smiles.
"No fair, you tricked me." I gasp.
"All's fair in love and art." She giggles as she turns and walks back to her chair. "Now just stay like that."
I watch in awe as she twists her hair round and round on the top of her head, then uses one of the pencils to hold it in place.How does that even work?
I continue watching as her brows furrow and she becomes tense as her hands make quick work of drawing. She uses multiple colors, often placing whichever one she's not using between her lips.What I wouldn't give to be kissing those lips right now.
Small, loose strands of her hair fall out and frame her face as she continues to sketch. At this moment, she looks more beautiful than I've ever seen her. So calm, carefree, and alive. It's as if her whole body comes to life when she’s drawing. It's a beautiful sight to see. Her happiness radiates throughout her face.
I continue staring until she finally lifts her head up, and we exchange glances.
"Sorry," she grumbles. "I tend to get lost in my own world when I'm drawing."
"That's fine, I've been more than happy looking at you," I reply sincerely.
"You must have been so bored," Bella replies, and I watch the carefree look on her face begin to fade and become replaced by her usual insecure one.
Standing and making my way over to her, she instantly closes the book before I even have a chance to see it.
"Don't do that, baby, please don't close me out."
"I don't mean to," she admits shyly as she twirls her hair around her fingers.
