A normal day at work for one person can be quite jarring to someone in a different field. Say an entertainer would not know the same struggles of an office drone, well much like Caleb doesn’t know as much about Beau’s job as he thinks he does, she doesn’t know every detail about his as well. Being popular online has its benefits, everyone praising his artwork and trying to scrounge up enough money to maybe get their picture painted by him one day. A little time after Caleb’s dramatic entrance into Beau’s apartment he tried to get on with work like nothing was bothering him though that proved difficult. Every brushstroke was absent-minded and lead to several mistakes, the woman sitting in front of him fidgeted, struggling to keep still. A loud huff escapes her lips as she slumped her shoulders down in a more relaxed position. “Can we take a break? I can feel my ass going numb.” She grumbled, shifting her weight around the wooden stool. That is Alisson Davis, a pretty well-known model in this day and age, when she isn’t doing photoshoots and partying, she’s here all dolled up for Caleb to paint.

“Go ahead.” Caleb sighs putting down his brush and pallet, logically he knows he should take a break before wasting more of her time but he can’t help but feel worse because of it. Alisson stands, her red painted lips pursed together curiously as she walks behind him to catch a glimpse of his progress.

“What’s going on with you today? You usually have a lot more done by now.” She frowns placing her hands on her curvaceous hips.

“Just a little distracted I guess.” Rubbing his tired eyes, Caleb looks up at her with an apologetic smile. Sensing his mood shift she turns on her heels and pours two glasses of wine.

“Drink and tell me what's wrong.” Very assertively pushing the glass in his hand and resting her back against the wall waiting for a response. Caleb looks down at the red liquid and swirls it around indecisively. “Troubles with the girlfriend?” Her sudden words cause him to look away from his glass shamefully, feeling almost embarrassed to admit it.

“I feel like I don’t know her anymore, she won’t touch me or tell me what's wrong, I feel like I’m out of the loop in my own relationship.” He grumbled turning his back from her. “It’s making me act crazy, I almost broke down her door to see if I could catch her doing something or someone…” Caleb rubs the back of his neck looking at the basic sketch on his canvas.

“I assume you didn’t catch her doing anything judging by the tone of your voice” She took a long sip, half-open eyes gazing into the back of his head. He nods sadly making her chuckle. “And? Did you tell her why you did that?” Alisson’s eyes dart over to her reflection in the glass, subconsciously making sure she’s still looking her best.

“No, of course not, I made up an excuse.” Caleb furrowed his eyebrows annoyed that she would even ask that as if there were any other options.

“Mhm, you’re probably just pushing your own insecurities onto her.” She slowly walks up behind him, bends down so her mouth is right next to his ear. “You’re afraid she’s hiding something yet you’re the one fooling around with your clients for an extra pretty penny.” Alisson’s slender fingers slide up his spine sensually, his back involuntarily arching at her touch. Caleb springs up to his feet and forcefully pushes her against the wall, her big hazel eyes look up at his angry face curiously.

“I am not insecure or afraid, I know she’s hiding something!” His grip on her wrist grows tighter as he speaks through gritted teeth. “If you really fuckin’ cared you’d stop booking appointments.” Caleb glared at her like she was dirt underneath his shoe.

“Oh hun, you really think that if I stopped scheduling live commissions you wouldn’t continue with all the other clients you do this with?” A knowing smile spreads across her face. “Besides, if you told her how many men and women we’re paying you for more than just a portrait, there's no way in hell she’d stick around, so you might as well have a little fun before she finds out.” Alisson’s leg wraps around his waist to pull him in closer.

“You’re lucky you’re rich,” Caleb muttered as his fingers ran up the side of her neck to trace her jawline. “Let's finish your painting before we get ahead of ourselves…” She pouts at his words before returning to her stool in her same uncomfortable pose. The sun had gone down by the time the painting was complete.

“It’s beautiful as always Caleb” Alisson began kissing his neck and running her hands up and down his body.

“I’m starting to think you don’t really care about the art at all,” Caleb smiled at her gentle touch, sliding his hands over hers.

“Shut up and come on,” Alisson smirked excitedly as she practically drags him to her bedroom. Once he has successfully satisfied her, he reaches in his bag for his sketchbook. He loved how people looked after sex, he loved capturing that glowing moment with all his blissfully satisfied clients. But he couldn’t find the book among the rest of his supplies, slouching in disappointment as he silently curses to himself.

“Must’ve left it at home…” He pouts before saying goodbye to Alisson and showing himself out, ready for his journey back to the lower class area. Most people didn’t walk on the streets anymore because the air purifying masks were too clunky but too dangerous to walk outside without them. Caleb liked it though, it was peaceful to only hear the passing cars and people-watch through the windows. He walked past this particularly expensive restaurant most nights. Stories would unfold in his head, imagining these people's lives as they ate there. After picking up his prescription, he quickly arrived home with the vacuum-sealed door closing behind him and he was finally free to take off the mask. His fingers rub the sore red lines on his face for having it on too tightly, grumbling nonsense under his breath as he walked inside his apartment number.

It was way more run-down compared to Beau’s middle-class apartment complex. Siren’s faded into the background as he made sure to lock his door. Neighbors shouting echoed through the walls but it didn’t seem to phase him. A beer in his hand and a bottle of sleeping pills in the other. The bitter taste soothed his tense muscles he didn’t know he had as he laid down on the old twin-sized mattress. There was no bed frame to support it so it remained on the dusty hardwood floor. It must have been months since Caleb cleaned, the empty bottles and cans scattered the floor, old takeout beginning to attract flies, and dirty laundry scattered everywhere. Washing a pill down without a second thought, he chugs the rest of the newly opened beer and sets it next to him with the rest. Eyelids closed, it seems like every time he was close to drifting asleep his heart jerked him awake but he kept trying. One last jump awake from his heart and Caleb becomes irritated, finally sitting up in his bed, rubbing his eyes deciding to just stay awake despite how exhausted his body was. 

Grabbing a jacket he goes out for a walk once again but the world around feels off. Everything felt heavy during his walk like gravity was shoving him into the cement with every step. Time was either speeding up slowing down, Caleb couldn’t even tell anymore as his vision blurred out.

SNAP