Page 113 of Eye of the Hurricane
There’s a full minute of tense silence. I don’t know which one of us looks more surprised that he said it. I can see the entirety of the whites in his eyes. My pulse is hammering in my ears. Every cell in my body is screaming at me to run.
This is all so new to me. I feel like we’re sprinting into this. I just told him that I finally have the time for this. We haven’t even decided what this is.
I haven’t said anything. If I’m going to do the right thing and not run I have to say something. Anything will do.Just spit something out, Katherine.
“Thank you,” I reply. It’s a stupid response, I know that it is. I don’t know what the hell else to say though.
I expect him to look offended, maybe evenbeoffended. I don’t expect him to crack a smile at my words.
“I have to be really honest, you took that so much better than I thought you would,” he says with a relieved sigh. There’s an overwhelming feeling of being known.
“I’m sorry it’s just new—I don’t know what to say. This is new to me,” I explain.
“I know. You don’t have to say it. I didn’t even really meanto say it—not that I don’t mean it—shit. I just know you’re not in a position to hear it yet.” He stops, taking a breath and collecting himself. “We’re on your time, Kat. No rush, no pressure,” he assures me. I want to say he’s such a patient man. He isn’t though, he just happens to have infinite patience for me.
Chapter 32
Ares
Today isthe first day of being on campus that Katherine won’t be here. She finished her last course and is now full time with The Sea Dragons. While I miss the anticipation of hoping I’ll run into her, the knowledge that she’s living out her dream definitely tops that.
It doesn’t hurt knowing I’ll see her tonight. I thought maybe seeing her almost every day would make the excitement of seeing her taper off. It doesn’t though. I still feel like a giddy little kid getting to meet their celebrity crush.
Except now I get to kiss mine. And take mine to bed. And fall asleep with mine every night.
I’m taken out of my own head when someone who I assume is a freshman bumps into me. No apology, no excuse me, just a dirty look before going back to his day. Dick.
It’s cool outside, not enough for a coat but definitely enough for the hoodies everyone has on. It’s 65 degrees and sunny in November.
When I walk into Vines’ office she’s all smiles. The yellowand orange covering her office is a comfort, it feels like being in Katherine’s light.
“Thank you for meeting with me on such short notice.” she extends an arm, gesturing to the seat across from her.
I take the seat across from her desk and she folds her hands in front of her.
“Of course, is everything okay?” I ask.
“Yes, everything is just fine. There’s a big art show happening downtown Charleston next week and I was hoping you’d participate in it.”
“Oh I knew about that. It’s one of the biggest in the U.S. I can’t imagine they’re letting college students in to such a big event,” I tell her.
“Well, you’re not entirely wrong. It’s invite only.”
“And there’s no way I get an invite. Especially on this short of notice.”
“You have one. An old colleague of mine is one of the organizers for it. There’s a spot for you, if you want it.” My heart is racing and what was once steady hands, are now trembling. This is life changing.
“Are you sure my work is up for it?” I ask. She smiles softly.
“If you asked me over the summer, I would have told you no. Your work was beautiful and you were filled to the brim with talent, but something was missing. I don’t know what changed between then and now but you’ve filled in the missing pieces, your art makes the viewer feel something. You’re ready,” she assures me. She’s unsure of what changed but I’m not. I know that the thing tying my work together with a bow, is Katherine. She’s all things bright and warm and loving.
For some reason every time I touch a paintbrush with heron my mind, magic happens. It doesn’t even have to be her. One of my best pieces to date is just an oil painting of the candles we had in her house for the hurricane.
“It’s the woman in the paintings. She’s what changed,” I admit. She chuckles slightly to herself.
“I figured as much. Love is one of the strongest emotions we can feel as humans. It doesn’t surprise me that it’s the one driving your work.”
Her mention of love is a flashing light reminding me that I told Katherine I love her last night. More so it’s a reminder that she didn’t say it back.
