Blank Canvas

●Chapter 25●

I was tightly clutching the bouquet of purple tulips in my hands as I leaned against my bike. As I stood outside Atlas's huge house, I contemplated whether to give him these flowers or if it was a lame idea. Biting my lip in deep concentration, I tried to come up with a quick decision. Thinking it through, I went with the former one.

Director Hale had suggested that before she departed to New York, she wished to have a look at my paintings. She was gobsmacked when I showed her my works. I must say that I was flattered beyond imagination because her compliments were genuine.

After she'd left, I roamed around the town to go on a gift hunt when I stumbled across a cute and amiable flower shop. Giving flowers could be a very unoriginal way to thank someone but I'd still say that it's the best way too. 

The other reason might be because my brain never seems to cooperate with me when I need it the most. It just comes up with an empty search. And since I was contacted by a world renowned art institution, Atlas deserved more than my gratitude. It's because of him that everything is coming true, things are being possible for me.

Which is why, here I was, standing in front of his house and biting my nails anxiously. "Here goes nothing," I mumbled to myself.

Taking deep breaths in, I walked up to his porch steps and put my hand on the doorbell but not actually ringing it. 'Do it, do it, do it, do it,' were the words playing in my head. And so I did. By accidentally applying too much force.

I quickly hid the bouquet behind me and rocked back and forth on my heels. I had everything planned out in my head like a chain. 'I will give him the flowers, say thank you, show him my gratitude and get lost. Yep, that's it. Very easy. But guess what? It is not.' 

My nerves didn't seem to understand my pep talk and rebelled against it by heightening their presence.

The door flung open and I saw Atlas looking at me with a confused expression. 'Expected,' I thought. Smiling widely, I waved at him like a maniac. 

He was in his sweatpants and a t-shirt like the last time. His hair was standing in all directions though he still managed to look handsome. I smacked my head internally and blinked my eyes to come out of my daze.

"Hey, there," I chirped with a huge grin.

"Hi. I didn't expect to see you," he said awkwardly, gesturing towards his attire and laughed shyly.

"You still look good," I told him and realized how stupid I sounded. 'Geez, Aria.' If I were in his shoes, I am sure I'd have resembled a stray human.

He just chuckled. "Come on in," he said, making way for me to enter. 

He led me towards his living room before leaning against the arm of a couch. Folding his arms, he stared at me expectantly. 

Copying his actions, I stood opposite him to hide the flowers, trying my very best to not seem so obvious.

Thankfully, he didn't seem to notice it and asked me, "So… what brings you here?"

"Um, I just wanted to, uh… actually thank you?" I spoke nervously and berated myself when it came out as a question.

"All right? Okay. What for? And are you hiding something? Behind you?" His tone was skeptical but he looked really cute as he tried to get a glimpse behind me.

"Oh, well yes. Here." I extended my arms and held out the bouquet to him. 

He was taken aback after seeing the purple tulips and I saw a faint blush coating his cheeks. It was unobtrusive, making me squint my eyes.