Page 19 of White Room Virgin

What a waste.

I just couldn’t stop wondering what his lips tasted like.

His full, shapely lips.

When I imagined drawing Jonah, the sketch became much easier. And when I finally got down to the details, I became completely absorbed in the work. I shaped his lips, nose, and eyes, then worked out the upper body and shaded in the muscles. When my attention fell on the bulge in the tight underpants, I couldn’t help but wonder what Jonah was shaped like.

Oh man! Get a grip!

Fortunately, the bell rang at that moment and I was able to pack up my stuff.

“Gilliéron! A word,” Seeger called out as I moved to exit the room with Steven.

“I’ll wait outside,” Steven said, pulling the tobacco pouch with the weed out of his pocket to roll the next joint.

I cautiously approached Seeger, who was organizing our sketches into a folder.

“What’s up?”

He glanced up and regarded me with a pensive expression for a moment. “Well, the application deadline for next year’s semester abroad is in a week. Don’t you want to apply?”

“Do you want to get rid of me?” I asked with a charming smile.

Seeger’s face darkened. “That’s not what I meant. I just thought it might be something for you.”

Now I regretted saying that––it hadn’t been my intention to provoke him at all. But somehow it became a habit over the lastyear. Every time Seeger had wanted something from me, he’d just ended up grumbling about some unimportant crap. The fact that he was now reminding me of the registration deadline was unusual and very thoughtful and nice.

“I … I won’t be able to do a semester abroad.”

“Why not?”

“Well … I … can’t afford it.”

“Oh. I didn’t expect that. I thought you came from a respectable family—though at times, your conduct leaves something to be desired. But well, if that’s the case.”

I stood there paralyzed and just stared at him. As my heart raced, I experienced a rollercoaster of hot and cold. I felt the urgent need to explain myself. “It’s not that I don’t want to. But I … I make a living by selling my paintings, but at the moment I only have enough money until January. If I don’t sell something again soon, I don’t even know if I’ll be able to afford the next semester here.”

Seeger furrowed his brows, scrutinizing me intently. I didn’t care if he thought I was a liar. At least I had diverted the conversation away from my family.

“I don’t know whether to offer you my condolences or congratulations,” the professor said. “It would be a real shame if you didn’t finish your studies. So make sure you make some money.”

That made me breathe a sigh of relief. “I … I’ll do my best.”

Seeger’s face even cracked into a smile before he nodded, indicating that I was dismissed.Thank goodness.I promptly turned on my heel and hurried out into the fresh air.

“What did he want?” Steven asked from amidst a cloud of sweet grass near the entrance, waiting for me.

“Nothing important. So? What are we doing?”

“I’d say an after-work beer is in order. Or do you want to go straight to the studio?”

“No, an after-work beer sounds wonderful.”

10

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Jonah

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