Chapter 14

CHAPTER 14

Riley

I casually sketched out a bust on my paper, if only because I needed to keep my hands busy while the rest of my students worked on their still-lifes.

I’d stared at the current set up of flowers and vases and reflective objects long enough, not to mention my brain kept replaying last night over and over. That moment on my porch, where Eric looked up at me with hope and wonder.

Like he could see me. And not just the me that towered over him, but the me I hadn’t realized I’d lost.

Slowly, I shaded in the clavicle, adding shadows to the neck and side of the head, cross-hatching the bust into more of a silhouette.

By the time the bell rang, I had Eric’s facial features sketched in, albeit they were mostly visible via the shadows.

“Remember, your projects are due Friday!” I said, assuming my authority again as everyone started packing up.

“So, those of you who need art passes, make sure you see me no later than tomorrow morning!” I announced, though as usual, no one took me up on the offer.

I turned around to clean up the remains of my lunch, when a voice pulled me from my thoughts.

“Did you... uh... have a good time last night?” I turned around to see Trevor, tugging on his bookbag.

“Trevor, hey... I, uh... yeah, I had a great time. With... my... friend. My friend, Eric,” I said awkwardly, almost word vomiting.

Trevor shook his head with a grin. “I know it’s none of my business but, uh, it’s just... I didn’t think you were into guys...” he said hurriedly, recovering with, “Like Eric. I mean, it’s cool if you are but, like, I just...”

“Trevor, I?—”

“I mean, you seem like a really nice guy—for like, an old guy?—”

Old guy?

I’m only thirty-eight for fucks sake!

I’m not dead!

“I’m thirty-eight!” I said in alarm. “I’m not?—”

“I know. I mean, I don’t know, but I know, I mean... ugh, why is this so hard?” Trevor said, his cheeks turning red.

I wasn’t sure what Trevor was getting at it by his comment, and a part of me was surprised he’d confronted me in general. Though he was a great student with a lot of artistic potential, we didn’t talk about his social interactions or things outside of school during his study hall sessions when he’d come in to work on his projects.

The flush on his cheeks, the chewing of the lip... the way he was dancing around the topic... Suddenly, I realized the subtext of what he was saying.

Trevor himself was gay. And likely hadn’t told anyone.

“Trevor, if this is about what you think you saw... If you are feeling... some sort of way?—”

“Oh God, no!” Trevor said shaking his head. “I mean, I like you, but not like that, obviously. Not that you’re not attractive, or... Oh my God, what I mean is just...”

I swallowed harshly at his trail of compliments, because even as nice as they were, they were certainly misplaced.

“I just wanted to tell you to be careful, that’s all. You seem like a good guy... I think, and I just don’t want to see some asshole hurt you.”

My heart sank at his words.

For starters, Eric was the furthest thing from an asshole, and why on earth would he hurt me?

“I appreciate your concern, Mr. Klaypas, but my personal life is just that. My personal life. There is a reason I don’t share it. Because I value my privacy,” I said as politely as I could.

“But if you need someone to talk to about anything, you know you can talk to me,” I said as nicely as I could. I knew how hard it was growing up in this town, after all I’d been a lot like Trevor once myself.

Trevor sighed, nodding. “Yeah, right of course, my bad. I just... I’m sorry, can... can we pretend this never happened?” he asked, his flush returning to normal. A part of me understood his desire to forgo the awkwardness, and clam up. Perhaps whatever was truly bothering him, he wasn’t ready to divulge to himself.

“Of course,” I said, for I too, wanted nothing more than to forget this equally embarrassing moment.

“Okay, well... um, in that case, I’m gonna go...”

I wrote him his art pass, sent him on his way, and tried to shake off the odd encounter.

Glancing at the clock, I knew I only had ten minutes left until the buses would clear out, which meant if I wanted , I could leave early.

I usually stayed around till at least six, working on curriculum and getting everything organized for my professional development and the upcoming field trip as well as organizing my things for next week’s project. But as I looked out the window at the sun shining down on the pavement, as I watched the kids walking outside, goofing off, I felt a need to shirk my adult responsibilities and just do something fun.

Maybe I’d catch a movie—something I hadn’t done in awhile—or swing by the cafe for a coffee or even just go for a walk.

The world was full of endless possibilities, and so I didn’t waste a moment as I grabbed my phone, my jacket, and headed out into the world anew.