Chapter 4: Sketches & Blushes

~“You danced with the devil and got lucky.”—Chase Atlantic.~

Chapter Theme Song: “Swim” by Chase Atlantic.

HARMONY

“He used your straw?” April holds a black dress against her body, checking her reflection in the mirror. She tilts her head, considering.

The dress is daringly short and leaves little to the imagination.

The sleeves are covered in lace, and the neckline and back plunge dramatically. One wrong move and she’ll be showing off more than she bargained for.

She seems to be getting ready to go out, and I silently hope she doesn’t try to drag me along like last night. I’m not in the mood to meet any more good-looking, unsettling boys.

It’s as if she’s just processed my words. She spins around to face me, her eyes wide. “He used your straw?!”

I nod. ~Welcome back to reality.~

With a sigh, she flops down onto the bed next to me, the dress spread out on her lap.

“I keep telling him to leave you alone, but he doesn’t listen.” She shakes her head, frustrated. “Blaze can be so stubborn.”

I remember how easily we connected over his drawing, and how Mr. Jones had warned me to stay away from him. I’m torn because the picture they’re painting doesn’t match what I’ve seen.

I rub my arm. “Uh, he doesn’t seem that bad...”

“Bad?” She sighs, turning to face me. “Listen, Harmony. You can’t take Blaze seriously. He’s never genuine with anyone. It’s not that he doesn’t want to be...he just can’t be, even if he tries.”

~I’m not sure I understand that last part.~

I furrow my brow, tucking my feet under me. “What do you mean?”

Before she can answer, the door swings open, interrupting us. Tia and Yuna walk in, a cloud of sweet perfume following them.

They’re both wearing short dresses, their hair styled and makeup flawlessly applied.

“Ready?” Yuna asks, and Tia turns to me with a smile.

“Are you coming, Harmony?”

“Coming where?” I glance between her and April, who’s rubbing her forehead and shaking her head.

“I forgot to ask you. We’re going to a party down the street. One of the frat guys lives there. Want to come?”

I shake my head immediately, no thought needed. “No, I’ll just stay here. Parties aren’t my thing.”

She frowns, nudging me. “Come on, it’ll be fun.”

“Another time,” I promise, instantly regretting it.

I hate parties. There’s always smoke, which is bad for my asthma.

Plus, there are usually creepy drunk guys at these things, and I don’t want to be the target of some frat party assault. It’s just not for me, and the whole idea makes my skin crawl.

“Okay, next time then!” Yuna grins, and I fight the urge to say, ~‘Don’t hold your breath.’~

Sometimes my thoughts can be pretty sassy, but I never seem to voice them. I haven’t found the courage to speak my mind yet.

April stands up. “I need to change. Give me a minute, guys.”

She heads to the bathroom with her dress, leaving me alone with the others. They give me awkward smiles, and I return one just as awkward.

I don’t know what to say to them. I only met them last night and they’re not as chatty as April, so I just press my lips together and run my hands over my thighs, keeping my eyes on the pink bedsheets. ~Talk about awkward...~

April doesn’t take long in the bathroom, and when she comes out, I’m relieved.

I look her over and realize my earlier thoughts were right. Her dress leaves absolutely nothing to the imagination.

If my mom saw me in something like that, she’d send me straight to a convent after having Pastor Dennis douse me in holy water.

The girls start talking again, mostly about things I know nothing about. Finally, they’re ready to leave, and I let out a sigh of relief. I could use some alone time.

April waves to me and tosses me the room key in case I decide to leave the dorm. That’s not likely, but I take it anyway in case I want something from the snack bar.

They close the door behind them, their chatter fading as the room falls silent. I smile, enjoying the peaceful quiet. I love being alone.

Deciding to take a shower, I kneel on the bed and pull my duffel bag toward me. I bite my lip as I unzip it, the familiar scent of Snuggle fabric softener greeting me.

It smells like a freshly bathed baby, and I smile, thinking of my mom. On Sundays, she’d do everyone’s laundry while I got the food ready for dinner.

Then we’d cook together, eat, and watch a movie on Netflix until we got sleepy. I miss her already.

My mom and I weren’t always close. I was a daddy’s girl, but since his death, I’ve been leaning on my mom more to distract myself from the painful memories.

We’re each other’s comfort. Spending time with me keeps her from becoming a grieving widow.

I pull out a large yellow T-shirt and a pair of white shorts, then head to the bathroom.

I step into the shower, my toes recoiling from the cold ceramic floor. Goosebumps cover my skin as I turn on the rusty faucet, cold water splashing down my back.

I grit my teeth, bracing myself as I hurriedly lather soap onto my washcloth. There’s no such thing as a warm shower at Homewood, so this is my reality for the next four years. I might as well get used to it.

I rinse off, shut off the water, and reach for a towel from the rack. Stepping onto the plush mat, I dry myself off.

Exiting the bathroom with damp hair, I flop onto my bed. I run my fingers through my tangled hair before hastily tying it up into a messy bun.

It’s in quiet moments like these, when I’m alone and at ease, that I can indulge in my talents. So instead of reviewing the notes I took today, I decide to sketch something.

Seeing Blaze’s drawing had sparked my passion for the art, and since things might get busy after today with all those AP assignments looming, why not spend the night reveling in my creative abilities?

You could call it a sacrifice of freedom.

I retrieve my sketch pad from my backpack and grab my 3b pencil from my pouch. I lay the book flat on the bed, pulling one knee up to my chest as I contemplate what to draw.

Almost immediately, a pair of oceanic eyes flash across my mind, and my cheeks flush with embarrassment at my own thoughts.

It’s not that I’m interested in him, it’s just that his eyes are captivating, and I’ve never seen anything like them. It’s not just their color, but also the way they sometimes seem empty.

I can’t quite put my finger on it, but they’re different from anyone else’s I’ve ever seen.

My desire to draw his eyes is completely innocent. I’m sure of it.

My pencil hovers over the page, and I bite my lip in concentration as I begin to sketch the eyes of my English class desk-mate.

BLAZE

“Oh, shit!” I laugh as Cole spews alcohol onto the hard table, unable to keep it down as the liquid streams from his nostrils. I scoot away from the puddle of vomit as the brunette on my lap shakes her head in disgust.

“I give up, I give in,” he gasps between breaths, and I grin.

“I can see that. My money?” I extend my hand, and he sighs, digging into his pants with a pained expression. James stands next to me, laughing his ass off while chewing on a straw.

Would you believe me if I told you that I hate being here, at this party, surrounded by all these people? I can’t identify a single person in this room that I genuinely like.

James is okay, but I don’t feel that brotherly bond that others feel for their buddies. My heart is just empty, and all I can think about right now is how this brunette’s ass is crushing my dick.

“You sons of bitches should know that you don’t challenge Blaze-fucking-Xander!” James bellows with open arms, glaring over the room of gawking people.

“He’s the champion of gambling! Please remember that. Who else wants to challenge him? Who?!”

I chuckle. “Shut up, you idiot...”

The only reason I come to these parties is to make some easy money by betting with fools who have too much cash to burn. We do this thing called ‘The Beer Challenge.’

Yeah, the name is dumb as fuck; I didn’t come up with it. We bet on who can drink the most alcohol in one go without throwing up. Cole just lost to me, so he owes me two hundred dollars.

This is the only reason why I’m here among all these irrelevant people.

“Fifty more, fool.” I shake my palm, and he sighs before weakly reaching into his pocket, pulling out a crumpled bill.

He hands it to me, and I smirk while unfolding it, holding it up under the bright living room lights to check its authenticity.

“Thank you. Pleasure doing business with you,” I say, and he can’t suppress the weak smile creeping onto his lips as his friend guides him over to the couch.

He’s practically hunched over, and I gape at him in mock sympathy. Jesus, it’s just alcohol, not a lethal injection.

The crowd disperses since the fun is over, and I can feel my junior starting to doze off. This girl needs to get up now.

“Get up. Have a good night,” I tell her, and she swings her face around.

“Really?”

~Did I speak in a foreign language?~

My brows furrow as she tucks her hair behind her ear seductively. “I just thought we were going to go up to one of the rooms and—”

“Do you have a condom?”

Her face turns red. “No...”

“Exactly. You’re not gonna try to trap me with a baby. Now get up, my legs are falling asleep.”

She frowns, climbing off my lap with a disappointed expression. I notice she’s still standing next to me with her arms crossed tightly, and I ignore her as I stuff the money into my pocket, looking over at James.

“Where’s my cousin?”

“That’s what I’m wondering.” He pulls out his cellphone, the blue light illuminating his face as I stand up.

I see the brunette finally stomp away out of the corner of my eye and I smile in amusement, biting my lips to suppress a chuckle.

~What was she still standing there for?~

The party is loud and crowded, and since my purpose is fulfilled, I’m starting to get pretty bored. I haven’t seen my cousin all night, and truth be told, I’m secretly hoping she brings that shy girl with her.

It’d be fun.

“Goodnight, you two idiots.”

A voice sounds from behind us, and we turn our heads to see April standing there with a hand on her hip.

“Speak of the devil and she shall appear.” I smile, and she rolls her eyes, stepping into my arms for a hug. I kiss her head and step back as James eyes her outfit hungrily.

Tia and Yuna are standing beside her, and Harmony...

Not here.

I lean against the wall, pressing my head against the surface. “Where’s Mary?”

“Who?” April scrunches her face up, and I chuckle.

“Harmony, obviously.”

“She’s at the dorm,” Tia replies.

“Blaze, for heaven’s sake, give the girl a break.” Yuna throws her hands up in exasperation, and I casually sling my arm around her, pulling her into my side.

“Feeling jealous? We could always head back to my dorm.”

She recoils and pulls away from me, making a face of mock disgust. “Nice try, but your charm doesn’t work on me.”

“April, darling. You’re looking particularly stunning tonight.” James licks his lips, and my cousin visibly cringes, shifting her gaze from him to me.

“Yuna’s right, Blaze. Leave Harmony alone. Find another freshman to pester this year.”

“See, April, that’s where you’re wrong. When I set my sights on something, I don’t stop until it’s mine.” I turn on my heel and start to leave the room, leaving her frowning in my wake.

“Where are you going, Blaze? We just got here!”

I lift a finger, pointing towards the front door. “Bathroom break!”

~Yeah, right.~

I’m off to find Ms. Innocent. She’s far more intriguing than any party.

HARMONY

I set down my pencil and crayons, satisfied with my creation. It’s been a while since I’ve indulged in my artistic side, so I’m pleasantly surprised to find my skills haven’t faded.

I smile to myself, tilting my head to admire the detailed piece.

I’d planned to draw just a pair of blue eyes, but somehow Blaze’s entire upper body ended up on the page.

My photographic memory captured his image so vividly that I couldn’t resist the urge to sketch more than just his eyes.

The accuracy of the drawing is almost eerie, and I feel a flutter of butterflies in my stomach. I gaze into the eyes of the sketch, my cheeks heating up once again.

~“Stay away from him.”~

~“You’ll regret it.”~

I shake my head. Just because I drew him doesn’t mean I’m interested in him. I’m sure of it.

Now that I’ve reassured myself that my artistic talent is still intact, I should get rid of this.

I pick up the sketch, ready to tear it in half, but a soft knock on my door makes me pause.

~Is April back already? It’s only been about forty-five minutes. Maybe the party was a bust.~

I put off tearing the page, setting it on my bed as I rise and head for the door.

I open it, and my body tenses instantly when I see a familiar pair of ocean-blue eyes. Not on paper this time, but in the flesh.

“Hi, Harmony.”

“Blaze?” My brow furrows in confusion, and I’m sure I must look like a deer caught in headlights. ~What is he doing here?~

He’s dressed in a gray T-shirt and ripped black jeans, and instead of his usual silver hoop earrings, he’s wearing gold ones. Judging by his outfit, he must have been at the party.

He looks amused as I gape at him, speechless. I manage to find my voice. “Uh, April isn’t—”

“I’m not here for April,” he cuts me off. “Can I come in?”

He doesn’t wait for an answer, brushing past me and filling the room with his intoxicating scent. I can’t tell if it’s body wash or cologne, but it smells divine.

I close the door behind him, deciding not to lock it in case he tries anything. I’ve heard enough warnings about him. What if he’s dangerous? I don’t want to find out.

“W-why are you here?” I ask, turning to face him and tugging my shorts down to cover more of my thighs. He notices and gives a small smile, turning away to examine the wooden nightstand.

“Just checking up on you,” he says, picking up a framed photo of my mom and me. He studies it, and I watch him nervously, fiddling with the sleeves of my T-shirt.

“How old were you in this picture?” He looks at me, and I swallow hard.

~Why is he in my room? This feels wrong, and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t scared.~

“Fourteen.”

He nods slowly, looking back at the picture and tilting his head thoughtfully. “You were beautiful even then.”

I blush furiously, and he sets the picture back down, continuing to survey the room like he’s on a mission.

~Please, just leave.~

He walks over to the bunk bed, and I see his eyes narrow as he focuses on something. I follow his gaze, and a gasp escapes me as he picks up the sketch from the bed.

~Oh no.~

“Is this m—”

I snatch it from him, hiding it behind my back as I step away. A smile tugs at his lips as he turns to face me.

“Can I see?”

I grip the sketch tighter. “No...”

“Why not? I’m your muse, so I should get to see what I look like in pencil.”

“It’s not you.” I lie, and he crosses his arms over his muscular chest, his biceps straining against the fabric of his shirt.

“Really?”

“Yeah...it’s just a random person...”

~God, forgive me for lying. I’ll promise to pray about it later.~

He shrugs and nods, and I think he’s going to drop it. “Okay, no problem...”

He turns as if to leave but spins around suddenly, snatching the sketch from my hands before I can react.

My eyes widen, and I reach out to grab it back, but he twirls away, laughing as he takes in the drawing.

“Wow.” He grins. “This is good. I look even better as a drawing!”

“Hand it over!” I demand, tugging at his arm, but it’s like trying to move a mountain. His muscles are rock solid under my touch. I scowl up at him. “Blaze!” I stretch up on my tiptoes, reaching for the object he’s holding just out of my grasp.

He’s grinning like a fool, clearly enjoying my discomfort.

~If I don’t get that back, I might as well start drafting my goodbye note.~

In a moment of desperation, I leap for it, but that only results in us both tumbling onto the bed.

I land on top of him, my chest pressed against his firm one. A small gasp escapes me at the contact, and he looks up at me, a smirk playing on his lips.

My stomach flips at the intensity of his gaze, his teeth biting into his flushed lower lip.

I blink, trying to pull away, but he places a hand on my back, holding me in place. My eyes widen, and his smile grows.

“Don’t give up so easily,” he murmurs. “Try again...reach for it.”

He’s still holding the picture above his head, his gaze locked on mine. I stare back, lost in his captivating eyes.

But then I remember the sketches I made tonight. The thought of him seeing them is mortifying. So, I stretch my arm up again, frowning when I realize I can’t reach as high as he can.

He chuckles at the frustrated look on my face. “Try harder.”

I extend my arm again, my desperation to retrieve the sketch making me forget how close our faces are.

My shoulder is starting to ache from the effort, and just as my fingers are about to touch the paper, he pulls his hand back.

I frown at him, and he chuckles. “What? Try to get it.”

He’s being unfair, but I don’t have time to argue. I need that sketch back now, or I might as well jump off a cliff.

I make another attempt, but stop when I realize that one more move and our lips might touch. Each time I reach, we get closer.

Our faces are now just inches apart, and he’s looking up at me through half-closed eyes. I realize that this was his plan all along.

He wanted us this close; he wanted our faces just inches apart.

I see through his game and try to pull away, but he flips us over so that I’m lying on my back and he’s hovering above me.

My eyes are wide as I glare up at him, and he chuckles at my shocked expression, his teeth gleaming in the overhead light.

“Don’t worry. I’m not making a move on you, green eyes.”

He pulls away, a soft smile on his face, and I can feel my cheeks burning. He straightens his clothes, biting his lower lip, and I sit up, subtly moving away from him.

He hands me the sketch, and I snatch it before he can change his mind. He chuckles, and I look away, embarrassed.

“Thanks,” I mumble, folding the sketch and tucking it under my pillow. When I look up, he’s still watching me, and I fight the urge to squirm under his gaze.

“What?”

He smiles. “Want to tell me why you drew me?”

I shift uncomfortably. “I already told you, it’s not you. You’re not the only one with blue eyes.”

“True, but you also drew my shirt.” He nods toward my pillow. “That green shirt is exactly what I wore to class today.” He grins.

“You’re not the only one with that shirt either,” I retort, and he leans back on his hands, chuckling.

“Okay, you win.”

I smile, relieved, and we fall into a comfortable silence. Then he turns to look at me again. “I have to confess, I kind of drew you too.”

I stare at him, surprised. He did? I’ve seen his Naruto sketches and they’re really good. I’m dying to see what his drawing of me looks like.

“Really? Where is it?”

His smile fades, replaced by a serious expression that makes my stomach flip. When he’s not smiling, he can be a little intimidating. ~Almost scary.~

“In my mind,” he says, holding my gaze. “I drew your face in my mind, Harmony.”

I stare at him, my face a mirror of my emotions. ~He drew my face in his mind? What does that even mean?~

“And you should see how you look...” His voice is barely a whisper, like we’re sharing a secret. “The image is so accurate...if you saw it...it would scare you.”

I swallow hard, the tension in the room thickening.

“Everything is perfect. Your eyes, your nose...” His gaze drops to my lips, and my breath quickens. “And those pink, sexy lips.”

My heart pounds as I grip the edge of the bed. His head starts to move closer, and I dig my nails into the mattress, my shoulders hunching.

~What is he doing? Is he going to kiss me? I’ve never kissed anyone before, and this doesn’t feel right.~

But I can’t move, as if he’s cast a spell on me. This must be some kind of witchcraft; why else would I feel so paralyzed?

I try to speak, but all I can do is part my lips as he rests his forehead against mine, his minty breath mixing with mine. He’s doing something to me, and I don’t know what it is.

Suddenly, the door swings open, and I snap out of his spell, pulling away from him as April freezes in the doorway.

The room falls silent, and I look away, embarrassed. Blaze grins, getting up from the bed and walking toward her. “Party’s over already?”

She glares at him, her eyes following him as he walks past her. “Really, Blaze? You need to stop this.”

“What are you trying to stop?” He laughs, and she rolls her eyes in response.

“You’re so damn misleading.”

He doesn’t argue with her. He gives me a quick wink before turning to leave. I lower my gaze as he walks out the door.

The moment the door shuts behind him, April gives me a look that screams disappointment. I can’t help but feel small under her gaze.

“Harmony,” she sighs, tossing her purse aside. “Why is Blaze here? With you—alone?”

“He...”

~Why was he here again?~

“He—I’m not sure.” I let out a sigh, and she runs her fingers through her hair, looking worn out.

“Did he try anything with you?”

I remember the suggestive words he whispered and the way he pressed his forehead against mine. I’m about to answer when she interrupts.

“Harmony, Blaze is a smooth talker. He can’t help it, okay? He’ll flirt with you, say all the right things, and then as soon as he walks out that door, he’ll do the same with ten other girls.

“He’s my cousin and I love him, but you’re a good person and I don’t want you to end up like someone else I know.”

~Someone else she knows?~

I want to ask who she’s talking about, but I’d rather end this conversation as soon as possible. I guess I’m just trying to ignore the harsh reality about Blaze.

“Okay, I understand,” I say, and she gives me a small smile.

“I’m going to take a shower.” She heads toward the bathroom, closing the door behind her.

I’m left alone, trying to make sense of what just happened. Harmony Skye would never let a boy—one she’s only known for a day—kiss her.

After he whispered all those words in that eerie, silvery tone, like he was casting some sort of spell, I was left frozen—from the brain down.

I should probably keep my distance from him; he doesn’t seem like a normal person at all.

I reach under my pillow for the sketch, intending to tear it in half. I stare at it for a moment, but instead of ripping it apart, I fold it and tuck it into my bag.

^~”The tide has been crashing over me again and again. And I’ve been drowning for a while, your body keeps pulling me in.”—Chase Atlantic.~^