Chapter VI

Some days, Briella felt somewhat happy. But other days, not the same could be said.

It was also on those days that she hated the way she felt. She hated what she felt. She wanted to forget about him already.

She tried to forget him... but the more she tried, the stronger the pain kicked back.

This inner turmoil of hers would have continued until she was the first one to give in. She was always the first to give up. So she let it be.

Today was that day. Today, she felt like all of her hope has been thrown out into a huge body of water, an ocean. She felt like all of her hope sunk, sunk like a rock... deeper and deeper until it reached the seabed.

And today, it just so happened that both Nadia and Liam remembered to bring in their money.

They both asked Briella. Hoping that them three would take off all together down to their favourite shop. Briella's respectful decline had only Liam and Nadia go downtown to get food.

Briella stayed seated on the bench, a page and a pencil in front of her. She tapped her fingers on the blank page, making up some random beat to help her creative juices flow.

But she sighed with disappointment when nothing came to mind.

It was only recently that her bubble of ideas began shrinking.

Eventually, whenever she tried to search for new ideas, the ideas she already had down on paper simply wouldn't leave her mind.

"Is this what a writers' block really feels like?" She asked herself.

She gave herself one more shot.

Now, taking her pencil into her hand, she tapped it and pressed it against her lower lip. She tried to think of anything, anything at all...

Another sigh of disappointment marked the end of her train of thoughts.

She felt some sort of anger boil in her. She wanted to write something but didn't know what.

A few moments pass when she decided that it was enough for now.

Folding the page back up, she packed it back into her pocket.

And with that, she rested her head down on her forearms, on the table.

'Maybe I'm pushing myself a bit too much...' Her thoughts spoke. From there, she let her eyelids slowly close until a meeting point was reached. She took in a deep breath before letting it all back out.

'I just have to be patient. Things might not come to my mind in this exact hour, they might not even come to my mind by the end of school. Tonight? Maybe not tonight either. But one day... one day, something as small as a spark will cause an explosion... and until that day comes, I need to be patient.'.

"Why are you here all by yourself?". A familiar voice interrupted Briella's thoughts, frightening her ever so slightly in the process. She opened her eyes wide before turning her attention to the speaker.

She got pleasantly surprised when she saw it was Ryan.

"By the way, do you mind if I take a seat here for a bit?" he ushered.

"Oh of course, I don't mind at all. Please, sit.".

And he did just as he was told. From there, silence filled the air between both Ryan and Briella.

"So... where are Nadia and Liam?" Ryan broke the silence.

Taking in a deep breath, it seemed as if she was to begin a long speech. But, from that big, deep inhale, the only word that came out was, "downtown...".

Ryan furrowed his brows. Not at the fact that Nadia and Liam were elsewhere, but at Briella's tone. At her one-word reply.

"You know..." Ryan began, instantly gaining Briella's attention. "Ever since I met you, you have always seemed quite down. Is everything okay?".

"Yes! Everything is just fine! Thank you for asking and for your concern, but I'd really like it if you could mind your own business...". Briella's words caused Ryan to raise an eyebrow.

"I was just trying to see if everything was okay...". A pause. "I also want you to know that I'm not all that convinced with your claim of how 'everything is just fine'. I'm not bought with that lie in the absolute slightest. I can tell that you are hiding something.". Another short pause. It gave him a few moments to look at her face. Her expression changed ever so slightly. "But, I'll do as you please. I'll desist from further questioning...".

Once more, Briella looked up and into his eyes. "Thank you...". From there, her gaze travelled elsewhere, somewhere away from Ryan.

Silence followed...

Again, Ryan broke it first. He cleared his throat.

"I actually wanted to ask you if you can show me the way to the art room... if not, I can ask Liam when he comes back, or something..." he spoke.

Now, Briella was the one who furrowed her brows. "No, no, it's fine. I'd be more than happy to show you the way...". A pause. "When shall we start going?".

"Well... now, if possible?" he replied.

"Sure. Follow me!".

They both began their way back inside the school and headed up the stairs.

And a few seconds later, Briella decided to turn around and face Ryan for a brief moment. It was when their eyes met, that she lowered her gaze from his eyes and to the ground.

"By the way, I'm sorry for that outburst from earlier. Thank you for looking out for me...".

Briella didn't notice, but a small smile grew on Ryan's lips.

"Don't get too bogged down, it's all good. There is no reason for you to feel sorry. I understand," Ryan replied.

Not even a handful of seconds passed before...

"Here it is. The art room.".

"Ahhh, I knew it was somewhere here..." Ryan started. "I was here a few days ago. And looks like today, I forgot the way.".

Both Briella and Ryan stepped deeper and deeper into the room. A few new paintings decorated the workspace.

And just like expected, the strong scent of paint hit them. But they didn't mind it, if anything, it added to the applauding atmosphere the room portrayed.

Suddenly...

"Hey! I-it was Briella, right?" he asked. "It wasn't Britney or Bailey, was it?".

"You were correct the first time. It's Briella.". A small smile grew on her lips. "What was your inquiry?".

"Well... it was that, really. I wanted to ask you for your name so that I can be sure that I have the right person here with me..." Ryan spoke.

To which Briella raised an eyebrow. Upon noticing, Ryan did the same.

"Your words gave me a slight, very slight sinister vibe there, not going to lie," Briella replied. Her words were followed by one, single chuckle.

"Sinister?" Ryan questioned. "I just wanted to ask you - since your name is signed on this painting right here...". He paused only to point to the painting he was talking about. "If you wanted to help me out with something. Now, I know we both barely know each other, but I'd really appreciate some help. If you are down for it, great! If not, I understand.". A short pause. "I really like your style of drawing and the overall quality of how you paint.".

"Really? You do??" Briella asked.

"Yeah! It's just... something about your painting that makes it stand out from the rest...".

"Aww, you really think so?... Thank you very much. That really means a lot to me.".

Ryan chuckled at her words. "You are most welcome.". A short pause. "And? Are you in or not?".

From the ground, Briella looked back at Ryan. Another small smile grew on her lips. "I mean, sure... why not? I'd love to help you. It will benefit me too.".

Ryan's eyes widened with joy. "Wait, really?? Are you serious right now?".

"Yes! I'd love to help you!".

"I-I, oh my, that's awesome! Thank you!".

"No problem. Is it during school-hours that you want me to help you, or?" Briella asked.

"Well, I was actually wondering if Friday, after school would suit you?".

"Oh, after school?" Briella questioned.

"Yeah, if that's okay with you. I live not too far away. On Street 17, the first apartment complex. The Four Seasons apartment complex - student accommodation, whatever you want to call it," Ryan replied.

"Wait, Street 17? I live on that street too.". A pause. "On top of that, I'm in the Clio Apartments student accommodation.". Though Briella already knew, she still proceeded onto adding, "If I'm not mistaken, that's like a five-minute walking distance from my accomodation to yours!".

"Well, there you go! Sounds to me like this was all meant to be.". The slight, friendly, sarcasm in his voice and the chuckle he let out only seconds later told Briella that his words weren't to be taken seriously.

"Well, in that case," Briella began. "I'm down!".