- Don’t be shy
Lila’s P.O.V.
As the art class came to a close, I felt a mixture of satisfaction and curiosity swirling inside me. The evening had been surprisingly enjoyable, despite the unexpected tension I’d felt being so close to Skye again. Throughout the session, I couldn’t shake the feeling that he was deliberately avoiding me again, yet every time I caught him glancing in my direction, there was a softness in his eyes that made my heart race.
Maggie, who was also teaching this class, clapped her hands to get everyone’s attention.
“Alright, everyone! Time to show off what you’ve been working on. Don’t be shy!”
One by one, the students lifted their drawings, each sharing a little about their process and inspiration. The room buzzed with the easy camaraderie of people enjoying their shared love of art. I showed my own piece, a simple painting of a tree with twisting branches and leaves that seemed to dance on the canvas. Maggie and a few others offered her kind words of encouragement, and I felt a warm glow of pride.
But when it was Skye’s turn, something strange happened. Maggie didn’t even glance in his direction, nor did any of the other students seem to expect him to share his work. It was as if they all knew better than to ask. Skye remained seated, his sketchbook closed on his lap, his expression unreadable. My curiosity only deepened. I couldn’t understand why Skye, who was so clearly talented, would shy away from sharing his art? The others didn’t seem to mind or even notice, but to me, it felt like a significant omission. When the class officially ended, I quickly packed up my things, determined to catch Skye before he could disappear on me
once again.
I found him just outside the classroom, heading toward the parking lot. His broad shoulders were tense, his movements deliberate as if he was already preparing himself to leave without looking back. I quickened my pace, calling out to him.
“Skye, wait!”
He stopped and turned to face me, his expression a mix of surprise and something else I couldn’t quite place-something guarded.
“Hey,” he said, his voice low and cautious.
“What’s up?”
I took a deep breath, trying to steady the emotions swirling within me.
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< 17. Don’t be shy
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“Do I have bad morning breath?” I asked him bluntly, and much to my surprise, he barked out a laugh, it was the most beautiful and sexy laugh I had ever heard in my life.
“What?” He asked me, his smile still wide.
“No.” He added, shaking his head.
“Then why have you been avoiding me all week?”
Skye’s eyes flickered as I said the words, and for a moment, I thought she saw a flash of guilt. there. But it was gone as quickly as it appeared.
“I haven’t been avoiding you,” he said, though his tone wasn’t entirely convincing.
“Yes, you have,” I insisted, stepping closer.
“You barely say two words to me anymore, and when you do, it’s like you’re holding something back. If it’s not for bad morning breath, why then?”
Skye looked away, his jaw tightening. He seemed to struggle for a moment, as if debating whether to answer me or just brush me off. Finally, he sighed, his shoulders slumping slightly.
“It’s not you, Lila. I’ve just had a lot on my mind.”
I frowned, sensing there was more to it than that.
“And what about tonight? Why didn’t you show your drawing to the class? Everyone else did.”
Skye’s gaze flicked back to me, his eyes dark and unreadable.
“I don’t show my work. Never have.”
“Why not?” I pressed.
“You’re obviously talented. I’ve seen the way you sketched on that napkin. They’re amazing.”
“It’s just how I am,” Skye replied, his voice hardening slightly.
“I don’t feel the need to show my work to anyone. It’s personal to me.”
I felt a pang of hurt at his words, though I couldn’t quite explain why. I had been hoping, maybe even expecting, that Skye would want to share his art with me again, especially after the connection we seemed to have made. But now, it felt like he was shutting me out, putting up a wall I just couldn’t climb.
“Can I see it?” I asked, my voice softening. Skye hesitated, his gaze shifting away from mine.
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< 17. Don’t be shy
“It’s not finished yet,” he finally said.
My heart sank at the rejection, even though I tried to hide it.
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“Oh,” was all I could manage, feeling suddenly small and foolish for even asking. I couldn’t shake the feeling that there was something more behind his reluctance, something he wasn’t telling me.
An awkward silence stretched between us, heavy with unspoken words and unresolved tension. Skye finally broke it, shifting his weight from one foot to the other.
“Do you need a ride home?”
The offer was kind, but it only made me feel worse. I didn’t want to be a burden to him, I didn’t
want to accept something from him, when he was clearly holding back so much. The last thing I wanted was to be pitied or to feel like a charity case.
“No, that’s OK,” I said, forcing a smile.
“I think I’ll walk. It’s a nice night.”
Skye looked at me, his expression unreadable once again. For a moment, it seemed like he might argue with me, but then he nodded.
“Alright. If you change your mind, you know where to find me.”
“Thanks,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper. I turned to go, but the heavy feeling in my chest made it hard to move. Part of me wanted to turn back, to demand answers or at least hit him on the head with my canvas, to tell him how much his distance was hurting me. But another part, the part that was still nursing the wounds from Brandon’s betrayal, told me to keep walking, to protect myself before I got too close to someone who might only hurt me all
over again.
As I made my way down the street, the cool night air brushed against my skin, I couldn’t help but compare Skye to Brandon. Where Brandon had always been open and eager to please, Skye was closed off, guarded. But where Brandon had been shallow and ultimately deceitful, Skye was deep, complex, a mystery I was still desperate to unravel.
And despite the hurt and the confusion, I couldn’t stop myself from wanting to be the one who figured him out.
