How To Paint Love [✔]

🖌 19. Free Falling

Having both Sid and Maize in our group, it was impossible to have dead air. I take a glimpse at Terrence who is busy eating like me.

He has ordered some pasta and his posture makes me feel as if I'm eating in a high-class restaurant, not the school cafeteria. I can totally swear he is the most graceful person I have ever seen to behave with proper manners, even when we were children — only if he shuts his mouth.

"Sure it is. Look it up." Maize's tone raises a little higher.

"You're kidding," Sid says but he still whips up his phone before his gaze falls on me. "You're actually Remy?"

I almost choke at the ridiculousness of his question. "Who else?"

"No, what I mean is, you're the painter Remy E.?"

My head bobs. "It's not like a deep secret or something."

"But didn't you always use your full name before?"

"Pseudonyms are better," I confess. After knowing what a failure I am, leaving my surname behind is the least I can do. Not to mention referring to myself as Rembrandt in art competitions can only be described as shameless when I don't even have an ounce of his talent.

"I see now. I thought it was just a coincidence that your art style is similar. I—"

"Who else is coming tomorrow?" Terrence interrupts.

"Some high school classmates and some from here." Sid faces me again. "I really thought you stop painting. Luckily, you did not. Your art always has a special charm. I should've known why—Ow! Why'd you step on my foot?"

"My bad. There's a bug," Terrence comments, clearly lying.

"OMG! Really!" Maize stands, causing her chair to fall back from the seat behind us.

"Calm down, Maize. How can there be a bug here?" I say and pull her back. "It's impossible for the university's cafeteria to be unsanitary."

"My gosh! You're right. Sorry bout that. I despise bugs, in case you didn't notice yet," she mumbles. "Anyway, what were you saying, Sid?"

"Nothing. I don't want to get mistaken as a bug again," he says, amusement fluctuating in his words.

I almost roll my eyes, realizing what he implies. As for the person guilty, he is swirling his fork on the plate as if nothing happened.

"You really got me there." Maize giggles, eventually regaining her composure and the two begin another round of endless topics.

🎨 🎨 🎨

Friday lunch breaks are always the longest. By the time we finish, we still have an hour and a half before our next class. Though we're not classmates on the next one, our schedule is almost the same.

"Want to have some boba tea outside? I heard they're a good place right across the street," Sid suggests.

Maize's eyes light up at the mention of her favorite drink. "Yeah! It's the best. I'm suddenly craving for one too."

We all agree and follow along Maize. Since the shop mostly serves drinks and desserts, it has only a few people inside during this hour.

"Maize, want to come along with me to order?" Sid urges.

I instantly clutch the hem of Maize's sweater.

"Is it okay if we sit here? Or... Remy and I will order since you two volunteered for lunch," she says while I repress a sigh.

Luckily, all those late-night talks about how I don't ever want to be with Terrence have paid off.

"It's my first time trying and you mentioned you know this place. Terrence's taste buds are as bland as water and Remy only knows coffee so that leaves me no choice."