Chapter 8

Chapter 8

Elizabeth's phone woke her up a little before noon. Her eyes opened and groaned out loud. She glanced at her door and saw that it was still closed and locked. At least Sarah left her alone the rest of the night. She looked to her right and grabbed her phone.

"Sarah messaged me and told me you got home okay. :)"

Benji was already chipper.

"Yeah. Sorry I didn't message you earlier. When I got home all I wanted to do was sleep."

"I didn't do that when I got home. XD"

Liz couldn't help but smirk and chuckle a little.

"Really? What did you do? ;P"

She got up and went to change her clothes. After a quick pause at her closet, and a sniff of her hair, she got dressed in some sweats and a t-shirt. Already with the mindset of painting, Liz grabbed her phone and headed to the kitchen. She grabbed a mug and filled it with coffee quickly and almost ran to her studio. She didn't want another run in with Sarah this morning.

She felt her phone vibrate in her hand. She put her mug down on her table and opened the message.

"OMG. Seriously the best night of my life. We talked for a long time and cuddled and kissed! Why didn't you introduce me to him sooner?!"

She smiled. At least someone had a nice night. After everything Benji had been through he deserved to be happy.

"First off, didn't know he was gay or even curious. Second, I went out on a date with him recently and we decided just friends. I'm happy for you!"

She put her phone down on the table and took a big gulp of her coffee before turning to her easel. The painting was a mixture of happy and sad. She couldn't help but keep thinking about the sad and happy moments with Sarah as she painted this one. The others ranged differently. Depending on the colors she used she conveyed what she wanted. Sometimes she conveyed things she didn't want to see at all. She was getting read to pick up her paints and brush when her phone went off again.

"Really? He's the one you went on a date with? He told me before he was married he thought he was bi but now it's confirmed. We like each other a lot. Do me a favor? Talk me up to him?"

She smiled again. That was always habit with Benji. He could make her smile anytime, whether she was angry or sad.

"Of course. Why wouldn't I? You're awesome."

"^///^"

She laughed loudly. Liz looked back at the painting and, in the present mood she was in, set it aside and grabbed an 11x14 canvas. She started painting.

A couple of hours later she called the painting finished and put it with the others she'd done. She looked at the paintings and saw the amount of work finished. Smiling she picked her phone back up and called Marcella.

"Marcella, speaking."

"Marcella, it's Elizabeth."

"Hello, bella! What is up?"

Liz laughed at the slang that Marcella tried to use.

"I've finished some more paintings. I wanted to know when I could drop them off at the gallery?"

Marcella paused, Liz assumed that she was checking her schedule for the day.

"You can come by in an hour? There will be a lull then. How many have you finished, bella?"

Elizabeth paused and counted, enjoying the suspense she was giving.

"Almost ten."

Silence followed. She imagined Marcella gaping like a fish and laughed softly.

"Ten? That's amazing, Liz! Bring them by! We'll make room in the showing for them! Are they similar to the Untitled one?"

"Yes."

"Si, bring them over! I can not wait to see them! I'll see you then! Ciao!"

Elizabeth heard the tone and disconnected the call. Carrying her phone with her, she walked to her room and dressed in a skirt and regular shirt. She grabbed tennis shoes that looked okay with the outfit. She called Benji.

"Hello my beautiful fantastic friend! What can I do for you?"

She laughed again, feeling the happiest she'd felt all month.

"I need to borrow you and your truck today, if you're free."

"Of course! When?"

Liz looked at the clock.

"Thirty minutes? I have to take some paintings over to the gallery in an hour."

"How many are there?"

"Almost ten."

"What?!"

"Yeah. That's why I need you and your truck!"

"Okay. Well I'll be over in fifteen. You'll need the extra time. Do I need to bring some tarps with me?"

She thought about it.

"Yeah. Probably four? I have five here so that should be enough."

"Awesome. I'll be over soon."

Liz hung up the phone and walked back to her studio, pausing near Sarah's door. She didn't hear a sound from within. Shrugging she went and got the paintings ready to be moved.

Twenty minutes later she heard a knock at the door and answered it. Benji was standing there with Charlie.

"Hey guys! Thanks for coming to help. I promise I will pay you in food or beverage."

They laughed about it and she led the way to her studio. She opened the door and propped it open with a stool. She walked in and moved out of the way, waiting for them to start moving the pieces.

"Elizabeth, what happened?"

Liz felt herself straighten her back and cross her arms, waiting for a fight.

"What do you mean?"

"These are magnificent! They're completely different from your other work. Something had to trigger you to make these."

She felt herself relax and smile a little.

"You know why. So does Charlie. I had to do something will all of those emotions."

She walked over to the painting she finished today, it was still drying and propped up in a corner. She gestured towards it.

"This is yours, Benji. I did it after talking with you this morning and, as soon as it dries, you can take it home with you."

He blinked and was clearly taken by surprise.

"Really? For free? Why would you do that-"

Charlie put his hand over Benji's mouth.

"He means thank you."

Benji playfully glared at Charlie over his hand. They smiled at each other before turning back to Elizabeth.

"Thank, Liz. I will never sell it, always love it, and pass it down to my children."

He walked over and gave her a huge hug. Liz held him like he was the one thing saving her at that moment. She held on for a while and Benji didn't pull away because he knew she needed it. This day was just one of the reasons she knew it was such a great choice of friendship. She felt tears spring up in her eyes and quickly blinked them away.

Liz pulled back and smiled at both of them.

"Now let's get this show on the road."

(A/N: *unedited* Vote and Comment below! :D)