Sometimes I wonder what possesses people to do certain things. For example, why would someone paint a picture of childs’ building block with a barbie sitting on top of it? I've never felt more confused, especially when this person was a senior.

Then again, it is realistic with the texture of the toys and part of me wants to touch it. I can see the talent clearly but why toys? Blinking a few times I go to move away when an arm drapes around my shoulder.

"There's seriously some weird ass art in this place," Blair mumbled quietly over the music playing faintly through the studio. "I guess there's a reason why I didn't pick art after all."

I chuckle and gesture to the work in front of me. "What do you think this is about?"

"Clearly it's about gender expectations forced on children," Furrowing my eyebrows I look at the blonde who smiles sheepishly. "I read the plate. They all have them and honestly are the greatest creation in this place."

Her head flicks to the plate stuck to the wall beside it. How did I not notice that? Exhaling I start to move along with Blair following before we stop in front of a collection of sculptures that look deformed from human beings.

"I think you were right about the plates being the best thing in this place." I mumble discreetly when someone else looking at it gasps and starts talking about it like it's perfection.

"Society's preconceived judgements," Blair nods and drops her arm from my shoulder and links our arms to walk away. "In all honesty it looks like they were dropped and super glued back together."

I bite my lip to stop a laugh from escaping. "Maybe us coming wasn't the best idea for Taylor."

"Of course it was," Blair scoffs, stopping in the door frame. "We're here to support her. I just think we shouldn't be let loose in the symbolic area."

"Oh my god, what are you guys doing here?" Taylor whispers harshly as she approaches us. "I thought I told you not to come because-"

"We aren't going to embarrass you," I state giving a smile. "Besides. We want to see what you drew that got you featured."

Her eyes narrow in the slightest. "I know you two don't understand art well. You-" She looks to Blair. "-think everything is always dramatized and you can't pick up the simple of simplistic concepts."

"Well that's harsh," Blair lets out a low whistle. "But we're here to support you whether you want us to be here or not. So are you going to take us on a tour or allow us to walk around mindlessly and probably annoy other art goers?"

Taylor inhales. "Please don't say anything that could jeopardize this."

"Taylor! Would you join us for a moment? I want to introduce you to someone." Mrs James calls out elegantly.

I see Taylor calm herself before walking over to the group. Watching on I notice three adults all dressed up glamorously with two other students beside Mrs James. I go to follow Blair when she walks off but stop noticing the person beside the art teacher.

Why is Rhys here?

"Now this I can appreciate," Blair sighed dreamily. I turn my attention to a stunning set of scenery drawn by hand. "I think we should have started here."

Slowly we move along to the next ones, each being as talented and breathe taking as the last. I know some people see drawing as a basic talent in comparison to painting or sculpture but for me this is the real art. There's nothing better than a drawing.

"It's not just me but this is better than the symbolic ones."

"Nope. Oooh, this is hers!"

Blair pulls me over to a set of four white framed photos. I knew Taylor was talented but this is absolutely gorgeous. The portraits she did are sketched in pencil with various traces of black ink highlighting facial structures. That's when I realize why she didn't want us to see them.

She drew us. Each one looks uncannily like us with the fourth being a full body shot that showcases our differences. Blair looks girly which contrasts to Taylor who wears overalls to show her creative side while I'm up on my toes.

I remember the photo of this. During middle school we were to come as our future profession. At the time Blair was convinced she was going to be a model - she still could be - while I wanted to be a dancer and Taylor an artist.

"It's amazing," I mumbled and move towards the plate on the wall. "Drawing is something important to me and I wanted to capture those that I hope to never leave me. They might not be blood related but they're family."

Blair moved closer with a smile. "She's such a sweetheart. Yet I thought that was your job in our friendship."

"Nope. I'm the quiet one with a degree in sarcasm," I keep a straight face while amusement lights up in Blair's. "I won't even say yours because I'm pretty sure you're aware of what you contribute."

"Pure amazingness that's what," Blair grins and spins around to look for Taylor. "I really hope she gets this scholarship offer."

"So do I."

Turning around I see Taylor smiling brightly while talking to the three people opposite her. I hesitantly let my eyes slip to Rhys who seems equally as engaged as she is. He couldn't be in this gallery, could he? I mean, I know Rhys isn't as bad as everyone thinks but I wouldn't expect him to be able to draw.

He's been given a bad reputation over something he calls a mistake. I guess I can relate in some way when everyone thought I was going off the rails. But that shouldn't dictate our futures which is a good thing that he's breaking from the stereotype partially.

I force myself away from Blair when some preppy blonde comes over. No offense to her, but her other friends make me want to scream. Because they on the other hand embrace the stereotype of being ditzy, airheads.

Coming to a stop in front of a large artwork I take time to view the pieces within the black frame. In total there's twelve pieces fitted that showcase different parts of people stuck together. Some are done in charcoal others in black ink or pencil, even with the different supplies it still looks incredible.

"Do you like it?" I almost jumped, turning in the slightest as Rhys stands beside me.

I look back at the art work and nod. "It's weird but in a good way."

"Care to explain that further?" My eyes trail to the plate and inhale when I see Rhys' name. Well if that wasn't an insult. I run my tongue over my teeth. "Don't worry. I'm not thrilled with it either but Mrs James liked the concept of it, I have another piece over there."

Nodding I hesitate before explaining. "It's weird because they're all different materials. I'm not an artist, my creative nature only goes so far so bare with me. But you said it was the concept that makes it so great, right?"

"Do continue." He smiles in amusement and I roll my eyes, looking back at the art work.

"Well if the pieces are different but combined it's like they're all taken the best parts of a person and crammed them together," I finally look back to Rhys who still looks amused by my words. "I have a feeling I am way off but I'll just read the plate."

I move to read the plate when he grasps onto my upper arm gently. "You're close. I made it like this because of the pressure put on you to be the perfect person by society. It's never enough to be too nice because then you're a pushover, you stand up for yourself, you're an asshole. You can't win."

Blinking I smile slightly. "That's pretty smart."

"Not really," he chuckles, looking away with red cheeks. "The theme was society if you couldn't tell but those selected got a chance to submit a personal one as well. I can show you mine if you would like. . . that way you won't have to struggle for a concept. . ."

Smiling softly I cross my arms over my chest. "Are you trying to say I'm stupid or something?"

"I wouldn't say you were stupid," He takes a step back and holds out his hand. "Just clueless when it comes to art. I saw you when you came in and you looked absolutely confused."

I gasp and smack his hand down. "I'm not capable of drawing with a concept, that's why I didn't pick art."

"Concept is the starting point," he coaxes me while taking a few steps. "Let's go."

I follow and slip my hands into my jacket pockets. Following Rhys I slide past a person and apologize briefly before almost tripping over my own feet to avoid knocking into someone's work. I catch myself on his shoulder, having his arm go around my waist to haul me back upright.

"Because that wasn't embarrassing," I mumble and keep my head down until I remove his arm from around me. "That reminds me. How was your date yesterday?"

Rhys' smile slips in the slightest and he shrugs. "It was okay."

"Honestly?" I question with a raised eyebrow.

"It was pretty bad," He exhales and shakes his head. "All she did was talk about how many calories she was consuming and asked me if she would suit blonde highlights."

I bite the inside of my cheek to stop myself from laughing. That's actually pretty funny. On top of the obvious bad date, his facial expressions are golden. He looks annoyed and thoroughly angry over the outcome of it. I do feel a bit of guilt but that's outweighed by my amusement.

"Okay so next time we'll make sure-"

"Oh no. There will be no next time," He shakes his head and I can't help but laugh at his wide eyed expression. "I pleased him, proved I was straight and was capable of getting a date. The next thing he'll want is a marriage and I'm not ready for that life."

A laugh escapes, echoing around the gallery that forces my hand over my mouth. Rhys' lips twitch and he runs a hand through his hair while fighting back a smile. I can't help but follow the movement, taking notice of the way his hair darker than usual.

Slowly my eyes slip down to the dark blue dress shirt hiding underneath a denim jacket. Although he's wearing double denim he somehow manages to look good and it's definitely different from his usual clothing. I'd be lying if I said he didn't look drool worthy. But when doesn't he.

My cheeks warm and I quickly divert my eyes away when he glances at me. "Why are you blushing?"

"I'm not!" I lie, mentally kicking myself when he moves to walk partially in front of me. "It's just warm."

He raises an eyebrow and nods slowly. "Why don't you take your jacket off then?"

"Fine I will," I roll my shoulders back and slipped off my jacket. When it's rolled down to my elbows I notice his eyes slip down to my chest. "Have a good look?"

The words fall from my lips before I can stop them. I can't believe I just said that to him - with so much confidence. Rhys' own eyes widen but a smirk pulls onto his lips. He steps closer and leans down in the slightest.

"I thought it would only be fair considering the look you had earlier," His fingertips graze my skin when he pulls my jacket back up to rest on my shoulders. "I can see the goosebumps on your skin, although I'm not sure if they're from the cold or me."

He adjusts the collar of my jacket and I try not to melt into a puddle. Okay, now I just need to not react by his words or actions. That's what he wants. His eyes seem to be a brighter green than usual, maybe it's the overbearing white light or a playful mood.

"Don't flatter yourself," I can feel my heart pounding despite the relatively calm words. He smiles and steps back before stopping in front of another black framed work. "Is this yours?"

"No. I just stopped in front of a random work,''he chuckles and nods when I roll my eyes. "Yes. This is mine."

Turning my attention to the work, I have to force my mouth to stay closed at the intricate work done in pencil. It's a chinese dragon that sends a spark of jealousy through me or more embarrassment that I drew a dragon on him. Nudging Rhys I frown at him.

"Yet you let me draw on you," I shake my head and smile. "It's really good. I didn't expect you to be able to draw that well."

"Well there's a lot you don't know about me." He mumbles. I hum and turn to face him.

Rhys crosses his arms as I rock on my heels and list facts. "Well I know that you don't like sushi, you're smart, you can draw, you're protective of your brother. I know a fair bit in comparison to others at school."

His smile slips and for a second I feel like I just put my foot in my mouth. "It's a bit unfair that you know so much about me when I barely know anything about you. Apart from the sushi, high in sarcasm and that you don't understand concepts in art."

"Then there's normal people that start off with something as simple as your favorite color." I joke, causing Rhys to smile and nod.

"Well we aren't normal people obviously," He states but looks around. "I like green, what about you?"

"Dark red."

"Really? I picked you for a pink person." He bites his lip to stop from laughing while I cluck my tongue.

"Are you enjoying the show?" I almost jumped at Taylor's voice over my shoulder.

"I think I might just stay in this section rather than the symbolic or abstract part," I gesture around and she chuckles, eyes momentarily landing on Rhys. "He was just showing me around-"

"Well that's nice of him. . ." she mumbled and I see Rhys roll his eyes at her words. "I don't understand you. For a while I stood back and saw you smile, you looked happy almost. But when I came over you closed up and act like you don't care."

His eyes narrowed. "Maybe because I don't?"

"Right because you don't care about anyone or anything," Taylor sighed. "I just hope you don't act like you don't care about Kira because of your reputation. I'm not a rude person but I can be."

"You're allusive to think that I actually care about her;" His eyes don't break from hers as he chuckles. "She's a friend of Nate's. I feel obligated to put up with her."

I can't help but feel a sinking feeling in my gut at his words. For some reason I didn't expect that to hurt me or even affect me. I grind my teeth together before looking at a shocked Taylor. Her mouth gapes trying to find some words to string together a comeback.

Giving a shrug I grab onto her shoulder. "I don't want to feel like a bother any longer. Thanks, Rhys."

Hellooo invisible people reading this - how are you? What's you favorite number? Name? Anything?

I just want to know what you think of this story; if you liked this chapter feel free to vote or write a comment about something you loved/hated. Anything, 99% of the time I reply back unless I can think of anything to reply with.

Question: when's your birthday?
*3rd of September- two weeks away.*