One New Message (Random Updates)

Chapter 45

"Knock knock," Jade smiled as she tapped her knuckles on the wooden desk next to a set of colored pencils. "Meanie, you here?"

"I'm here, Trouble," he chuckled as he pulled his headphones out of his ears. "Just because you fucking caught me once zoning the fuck out doesn't mean I will every fucking time I have an idea."

"Yeah, but you love our inside joke," she shrugged. "Anway, you ready?"

"Yeah I fucking do," he smirked before frowning. "Ready for what?"

Letting out a huge sigh while rolling her eyes, she sat on the edge of the desk so as to not mess up his layout of supplies or smear the latest artwork he was creating. "Go see Victor, of course, where else would we go?"

Every day for the past three weeks that they have been at the art institute both Gabe and Jade have walked over to Victor's office and had lunch with him. It became a natural routine that all parties enjoyed and looked forward to. Some of the others would join them when they had the time too.

Realization dawned Gabe as his head whipped to the clock stationed above the door. Sure enough it was 1:30 p.m. Slapping his forehead, Gabe groaned while falling back in his chair. "I'm so fucking sorry Trouble, I completely lost track of time," he apologized as remorse filled him. "And I really would like to finish this as it only needs a few more touches before needing to set and dry. Do you think you can wait till I finish?"

"Hmm, seems someone did get lost in their magic," she smirked. "It's fine, Meanie, why don't I let you finish and meet up with Victor to let him know you will be just a bit? If you tell me your order I can have it placed and waiting by the time you arrive? I'm a big girl, I can cross the college campus on my own," she said as she stuck her tongue out.

"Keep doing that, little girl, and I'll fucking give you something to keep that sass mouth of yours fucking busy," he growled as his eyes darkened.

"Yeah, yeah," she rolled her eyes, "so you keep saying and yet you haven't done anything so whatever. Anyway," she hopped off the desk and placed her sketchbook in her messenger bag. "Ohhhh pretty, I'm borrowing this," she smiled as her eyes landed on a metallic bluish green pencil. She stuck the pencil behind her ear. "Any more pretty pencils?"

He chuckled as he reached into his bag and pulled out a smaller bag. Tossing it to her, he grinned hearing her excited squeal upon opening the bag to find a bunch of the shiny pencils. "Enjoy, Cutie, it's not like I don't know where you fucking live after fucking all."

"You're the bestest!" She beamed as she took a picture of the open bag then started typing. Three fucking guesses told him that she was sending it to Corey. She was constantly texting him what she was doing and while others would have found it annoying, Corey loved it.

The others did too when she felt comfortable enough to send texts in the family group. It didn't happen nearly as much as when she texted Corey but when it did happen, they loved it. Corey worried at first that it would cause issues when he realized what she was doing but everyone reassured him multiple times that it wasn't a problem with them. They knew it would happen because of their bond just like they knew how each one of them belonged in the family. One day she would be the same way with them, they just had to be patient, that's all.

Sure enough a moment later, his phone started vibrating. Gabe bit back a smirk as he watched her zip up the bag. If he absolutely had to guess, the text was from Corey telling him to order her some metallic colored pencils of her own but the man should already know that he was planning on doing that anyway.

"I fucking know I am," Gabe chuckled. "Surprise me with lunch. I'll be there before you fucking know it."

"Suuuurrrreeee," She giggled before hugging him then dashed out the door. Gabe smirked while shaking his head. He loved that she was warming up to giving them affection now but he really loved how fucking adorable she looked when she got embarrassed and nervous about it. He was cherishing every moment since he knew the day of her no longer getting nervous about it was drawing closer and closer with each passing day. Maybe he could talk Corey or Victor into hacking into the camera feed and saving it so he could back on her adorableness one day.

He needed to hurry and finish this project so he could go have lunch with his muse. Slipping his headphones back on, he turned back to his work and slipped back into magic mode as Jade called it. Gabe blinked and found himself back in the art room. Sitting upright, his back burned letting him know that he had been still for far too long. Placing the pencil down while looking up at the clock, he cursed under his breath. He had been lost in his inspiration for twenty minutes instead of the few he told her he would be.

Grabbing his bag, he tossed his supplies in, not caring for once about getting them organized before rushing out the door. He crossed the campus within moments then hurried inside the musical building. "Sorry I'm fucking...," Gabe trailed off as his eyes scanned Victor's office. The moment they landed on the pianist, they narrowed, "Where the fuck is Trouble, Vic?"