I've not seen Evan since Saturday and today’s Thursday. I haven’t seen him on the bus or at college, but according to his friends he has been in all week. He’s avoiding me.

The final piece was almost complete; it made me more excited for my art exhibition which was planned for the following Friday. I couldn’t have been any happier with my work. My focus shifted when I noticed the guy from the other day enter the room. He was the same guy who had checked out my paintings. I recognised the messy dirty-blond hair and hazel eyes. He was better looking than I remember, but I can’t help compare him to Evan. His name was something like Joe or Jack. Actually, it might have been James. I carried on doing the finishing touches to my final piece. I was happy with the results and it made me more relaxed for the showcase which was creeping up slowly. I could hear his footsteps behind me walking around the room. I ignored his presence.

His steps stopped behind me. I could feel his breath on the back of my neck, leaning over my shoulder. My back straightened from the sudden surprise. His breath was warm against my skin feeling strangely good.

“Oh, don’t mind me.” I heard him rustling behind me. I knew he was looking at my work, no matter how hard I tried to ignore him – his body heat was intoxicating me.

I didn’t like it when people watched me work. I tended to lose focus and start worrying what they were doing or what they were thinking. It reminded me of a time when I was at school and someone laughed at my work; I threw it away and started over again. Now I did have more confidence in my art – which is something I learnt from my teachers.

“Is this your boyfriend?” he asked me. I shook my head immediately. “Oh is he your brother?” Again I shook my head.

“He’s just a friend.”

Evan was just a friend to me although I would’ve liked to know where he had disappeared to. I knew we had a connection, but what did he really think of me?

“Sorry, Jack? Do you mind just leaving me? I don’t like being distracted when I’m trying to work,” I finally found the courage to say.

“It’s James and I am sorry for disturbing you,” he replied, as he pulled out a chair beside me. I watched him as he sat down next to me. His eyes roped mine in.

I didn’t know what he was playing at, but he was being a jerk, invading my space while I was working. I bit my tongue before I said anything to him. I looked away and carried on finishing my final piece.

“You’re gorgeous,” he said.

“What?” I glanced at him.

“It’s gorgeous,” he nodded at my work. I thought he said something else, but I must have misheard him. His eyes were still on me as I worked, he didn’t move or even flicker. I couldn’t tell if he was staring at me or my work.

After half an hour I finally finished it. James was still sitting in the chair beside me. He’d been sitting there silently the whole time – it didn’t bother me as much as I thought it would. It was comforting to have someone by my side sitting in silence, no words were needed. I had one last look over my final piece, a smile of accomplishment on my face. I wished that Evan could see it now. I wondered what he would say.

“Do you have a name for it?” James suddenly asked me, startling me. I glanced over to him. I had a quick think about it; there is one that was on my mind. I had considered the title ‘Fearless’. It revealed so much about him in one word.

I walked over to the window, hanging my art out to dry. There was a couple who were outside making out. They couldn’t take their hands off of each other. Suddenly, I got a glimpse of the guy’s face, my lips went dry. I used all of my muscles not to cry when I saw him.

No wonder he was avoiding me. Of course, how could I have been so stupid? He wanted privacy with his girlfriend. I was only a friend to begin with. That’s what he meant by ‘he liked me’. Maybe next time I wouldn’t jump to conclusions. Again Amelia, I would’ve thought you would have learnt from the first time this happened to you. Well, to be honest, this isn’t the first or even the second. Trust is a very important thing to me. I turned to face James.

“Is everything okay?” he asked. He stepped closer to me, putting his hand on my shoulder. I looked up, quickly wiping away a tear.

James lightly placed his hand under my chin, bringing my face up to his level. I could feel his warm breath blow across my face.

“Please, don’t,” I whispered. “I barely know you.”

He suddenly pulled me into an embrace and held me tightly. I could feel the warmth he surrounded me with. It was nice but the spark wasn’t there – like a brother hugging his sister.

“Get to know me,” he whispered back. His breath was soft against the skin of my neck, making the hairs stand. “I want you to get to know me. I’ve got to be honest, I find you truly beautiful and I want to know more about you. Please allow me.”

I pushed him away and then walked over to my table. Packing my things into my bag and headed out of the room. As I neared the door I stopped and glanced round at James. I knew that I was going to regret this decision, but this is something I have to do. He’s the one in charge of the exhibition so there is no harm in it – right?

“Do you want to come to the canteen with me and get some lunch?” I asked him politely.

“Of course, why not.” I knew I was not the type to play games, but I wanted to make Evan jealous – maybe this would work? Though I’m not one to hurt someone’s feeling’s and use them for my own personal gain. It will always comes back and bite you in the butt. James seems like a decent person.

◎

James and I entered the canteen; we walked inside side by side while people watched us. I held my head high as I ignored the whispers. James beside me looked uneasy – he wasn’t sure what to make of the onlookers, it was noticeable. But this was something that occurred to me every day I came here – a piece of amusement.

I quickly glanced over to Evan’s table. He wasn’t there, but all of his friends were watching, so I knew they would report back to him. I couldn’t help but let a smile slide onto my face.

“Why is everyone looking at us?” he whispered, leaning over my shoulder. I sat down in my normal spot and James sat opposite me.

“It’s probably because you are with me,” I replied. He arched an eyebrow, waiting for me to elaborate.

“I am the loner around here. No one really talks to me.”

“But why, you are lovely? You do have a bit of attitude, but it’s sexy.”

I nearly choked on my drink when he had said the word ‘sexy’.

“Sexy?” I couldn’t help but giggle at his remark.

Evan walked in with the red-head at his side. Everyone was still silent, watching either James and I or Evan and his princess. Evan’s eyes burned into my skin, watching me as he made his way over to his crowd of people. She was clinging to him glaring at me at the same time. My jaw tightened as I could feel the jealousy rising within me.

I would love to slap her face right now.

James clearly noticed Evan as he passed by us. James then turned his gaze to me, as he must’ve realised who he was. He parted his lips to speak.

“Is he the guy in your picture?” James never took his eyes away from Evan and vice versa. I shifted in my seat when Evan’s eyes finally fell on me, but I tried to ignore him. ‘I like you’ echoed around in my head. I shouldn’t feel guilty but for some reason I do. I should stop it. Ignore him Amelia.

“What made you choose my work for your exhibition?” I asked James, ignoring Evan completely. James pulled an apple out from his brief case crunching as he bit into it.

“Well when your tutor showed me everyone’s work, yours was the only one to draw me in. There was something about it that made me feel so sad, but strangely enough I liked it a lot.”

“Why, I remember you said before but why sad?”

“The colours, they were dark and had so much emotion behind them. It makes me think that maybe you didn’t have a great past.”

I didn’t reply, but he was right. Was I that easy to read? Suddenly I found my eyes flicking over to Evan – he was watching me.

Why do you pull me in and then push me away? I couldn’t understand Evan. Sometimes I get the feeling that there is something deep down that’s made him like this – unable to show his emotions. He’s hiding something – that’s for sure. I jumped up from my seat, packing away my finished lunch. James stood up with me and I noticed Evan still watching us. As we made to leave the canteen, I spotted Evan making his way over to us.

“Hey,” he called out to me. I smiled and went to walk away with James, but Evan grabbed my arm. “Is the picture finished?” I glanced over to his table and the red-head, Kym, didn’t look happy at all. I nodded and turned to walk away again, but Evan pulled me back.

“Can I see it later?”

I glanced over to the red-head again, watching me with her fluttering eyelashes. She was talking to her friends and they all started laughing. I was sure she was talking about me.

“You can, but I won’t be there!” I responded. I walked away from Evan followed by James. I could feel his eyes staring into my back as I strolled away from him. James looked slightly uncomfortable walking beside me. I wanted to say something, but I couldn’t get any words out. But clearly James had finally realised the situation.

◎

The end of the day was near and I wanted it to finish quicker before Evan would show up. James was still hanging around but I had the feeling he was just being kind. He had been talking to me, trying to distract me. Most of the time it worked and he had me laughing a couple of times.

I got up to check my work, to see if it was dry. The presence of someone walking up behind me feeling a lump in my throat, his warmth wrapped around my body as he stood close. I closed my eyes. I felt him touch my shoulders with his hands and the warmth of his breath blew on the back of my neck. It was as if he did it on purpose, but it made me feel relaxed. As he blew for a second time my neck tilted slightly to the right, his fingers brushed my hair to one side revealing my bare skin. His body was close to mine. I turned to face him and his hand gently caressed my cheek – I couldn’t tell if his hand was hot or if it was my face. James leant forward, closing the distance between us. I could feel his hot breath on my lips. I stood there, frozen to the spot as if I was hypnotized by his eyes. He was completely different to Evan, captivating, a gentleman.