•••

I was stepping into this modern, building, it was quiet and calming, every step you'd take, it would echo through the place, "hello, how may I help you?"

A soft deep voice came out of nowhere, I turned around and saw a middle aged man standing, there with a black turtle neck, and some jeans, "I'm here to submit my painting" I said softer than ever.

The mans face lit up, "ah, yes, here I'll take it, we will call you in a week or so to tell you how it went, thank you for taking your time to come here, feel free to look at the paintings here"

I nodded and walked away, the place was full of pictures and paintings, it was like an art museum. The only people who were here, were me and some couples.

I walked around slowly, observing all the paintings, and inspirations.

I was too into the paintings, that I lost track of time, it was already noon, I had to get back home in time for my little birthday celebration, even thought it would just be me and my mother.

I took a train back, and it was hell, at this time a day, normally it would be packed with people coming back from work. I was squished and uncomfortable. When I finally made it out of the train, I walked back home, here in the suburbs it was more chilly than the city. I live on the outskirts of New York, it was more quiet here, and more stable.

I hissed as a huge breeze came, and the leaves flew away, I decided to stop by the park again. Today it was more quiet. Strange.

I sat down on the park bench, and made myself comfortable, getting out my sketch book and pencil, I looked at what I could draw, there were a lot of things happening. People walking by, dogs running around, and the park was huge I didn't know what to draw. But one person caught my eye.

This person looked familiar, even though I don't really associate myself with people. This person looked like a male, his broad shoulders, thin waist, and masculine arms and legs. They just stood there. Perfect.

I sketched out his body, it wasn't accurate, but i was glad he stood still. I then started to draw the amazing view in front of him. The trees, and grass, it fit perfectly with him. I shaded in his clothes, and the sky, I was lost in my own world. I didn't even know why I spent so much time on drawing this dude.

"Yes" I whispered as I finished my shading. It would've taken hours if I were to colour the whole thing, but I guess I would call this, a quick sketch.

I stood up, packing my pencils into my bag, when a group of kids on skateboard came and knocked me over, causing my pencils to fall out. "Sorry, ma'am" one of the boys yelled out. At least they were respectful.

My pencils had rolled a few metres away from me, I got up and went to pick them up. Counting my pencils I noticed one was missing. I sighed walking back to my bag, when I saw someone pick up my book.

It was that guy.

I walked closer to him.

"M-May I help you?" I asked, face palming myself in my mind for stuttering. The man looked up and boy, was he handsome. It felt like the wind knocked my breath out.

"You drew me" was all he said, his voice was heaven.

I looked down and his hands were holding my book, specifically caressing the drawing.

"Oh, yea, sorry it's a bad habit" I laughed

It really wasn't.

"You draw people as a habit?" He raised his eyebrows.

My mouth slightly opened, "n-no that's not what I meant, I mean-" he cut me off chuckling.

"Hey, chill I was just playing with you, plus it's a nice drawing" he said, and gave me my book.

I took it and started to pack, noticing he was still there, I looked at him.

"Yes?" I smiled.

"Oh, here, you dropped it while those punks knocked you over" he said. I looked at his hand, and he was holding my pencil, I grabbed the pencil unintentionally touching his hand. "Thanks" I whispered.

"I'm Nate, by the way" he said, and shoved his hands in his pockets, before taking a seat, on the bench, I zipped up my bag, and sat with him, making sure there was distance between us.

"Althea" I replied.

He hummed in response.

"You live around here, never really seen you around?" He said, not looking at me, "Yea, I actually live like five minutes away from here, you?".

He chuckled, "I move from town to town, but since I met you, people here seem nice, I might decide on staying here" he said. I blushed.

"So do you have somewhere to stay?" I asked, getting really curious.

"Yes, my uncle offered me his apartment while he's living in Atlanta" he replied deeply, I nodded my head understanding.

"I hope you don't mind me asking personal questions, despite us just meeting, but how old are you" I asked.

"Nineteen" he said, I was shocked, he was only a year older than me.

"You?" He looked at me.

"Eighteen, todays my birthday" I sighed. "Oh, well happy eighteenth, Althea" he said, my name rolling off his tongue so smoothly. I didn't thank him, instead we sat there in silence. "Let's be friends" his deep voice came back.

I looked at him, and he looked at me. I smiled, but it soon faded.

"I don't think you'd want to be friends with me" I said to Nate, but he moved dangerously closer to me, but I tried moving back.

"Oh why?, I mean I'd love to make at least one friend here, on the outskirts of New York, it's quiet here" he kind of whispered.

I took a breath in, and it almost felt like I stopped breathing. "Sure, one friend wouldn't hurt" I smiled.

"At it girl" he smiled, I noticed Nate had a small dimple on his left cheek.

We spent that afternoon talking and laughing, I couldn't believe Nate was such a nice guy, I told him about my life story, my mum, dad and school , I was comfortable about telling him about it straight away.

We bid our goodbyes, and I went home.

•••

They finally meet...