I sat under the oak tree outside of school wrapped in Troy's jacket as we waited for Violet to arrive and the school doors to open. When I'd come downstairs this morning, the boys were gone and they'd left a simple thank you note on the coffee table. I'd been slightly upset that they hadn't stayed but brushed it aside and began to get ready for school. However, even though my body went through the motion, I couldn't keep my mind of the three boys and the evening we'd spent together. Mikhail's beautiful eyes, Ivan's grace and Alexei's rich voice were all that went through my thoughts. At this rate, I wouldn't be able to pay attention in any of my classes today.

"Roe. Roe! Roe," I shook of my thoughts and realized I'd zoned out on Troy yet again and he was looking at me with a smile, his eyebrows raised. His eyes narrowed then before widening with some apparent realization. Had he read my thoughts? Was that why a mischievous smile was making its way across his face like he knew something?

Before he could open his mouth however, Violet appeared and gave me a one armed hug before kissing Troy lightly on the forehead. That must have temporarily removed all thoughts from his forehead as he blushed before kissing her in return. He didn't say a word as he wrapped an arm around both of us as we walked into school.

It wasn't until art class that I was finally been able to concentrate on what was happening around me. But of course, that was ruined when the door slammed open 10 minutes into the class and the trio that had been in my thoughts walked into the room. Mikhail's eyes found mine immediately and he smiled before making his way to the seat next to mine. Ivan and Alexei were about to follow him when an obnoxious boy from the front of our class decided to open his mouth.

"The blind boy takes art? You can barely walk on your own."

Mikhail stiffened next to me, his entire body going rigid but that didn't compare to the fury that appeared on Ivan's face. He took a menacing step forward and the boy cowered away in fear. I didn't blame him. In that moment, if Alexei hadn't put a hand on Ivan's shoulder, I could've sworn that Ivan would've killed that boy without hesitation. Instead, he took a deep breath in and shut his eyes. When he opened them again, his green eyes were back to normal but that rage was still simmering under the surface. One wrong move and I doubt even the entire class combined could've held Ivan back from tearing that boy to shreds.

"Boys please take your seats," the art teacher said and Ivan shot the boy one last glare before placing himself down on the seat beside me. Alexei followed him closely, but not before leaning down and whispering something near the boy's ear. The boy paled in anger, sinking lower into his seat as Alexei claimed the seat in front of me, a triumphant smile etched on his face.

"What did you say to him," I asked, leaning forward in my seat. Alexei turned around, a clever grin on his face.

"Nothing he didn't already know," he said before turning back around just as the teacher began to announce his plan for today's class. He wanted everyone to select a partner, who would be his or her muse for this project. They'd then have to capture their partner on paper in the most creative way possible. I felt a smile appearing on my face, identical to the one on Mikhail's.

"You like art," I asked him softly.

"Like it? It's all he ever does," said Alexei and Mikhail whacked him on the back of the head. I noticed Ivan's eyes carefully trained on our exchange, his brows furrowed. He then huffed out a breath, as if he'd finally realized something.

"Will you be my muse Roe," asked Mikhail, looking slightly nervous as he ran a finger through his black hair that stood up in odd directions. He was still devastatingly gorgeous and my hands itched to capture that beauty on paper. But I also wanted to see how well he drew so I nodded and bright smile appeared on his face that set my heart racing. I almost clutched at my chest in shock. That hadn't happened since, well since Troy.

"You alright," asked Mikhail and I nodded before following him to the back of room where the easels had been set up.

Mikhail was being highly secretive and refused to give me a glimpse of his painting as he continued to work. Alexei had chosen Ivan as his muse and was now drawing him, his painting taking absolutely no concrete shape. It was just a cloud of colors that barely blended, let alone took a humanoid form. Then again, Alexei merely dabbed his paintbrush in random colors before putting his brush to canvas. 

"What are you even painting," Ivan asked, pure irritation across his face as Alexei told him to close his mouth. I couldn't help but laugh out loud as Ivan rolled his eyes but remained silent as Alexei continued to add color after color to his self-proclaimed masterpiece. I quickly shut down my laughter when Ivan looked to me, his face in its usually stoic expression.

Then, like the world had suddenly been tilted on its axis and we'd all been deported to an alternate reality, I watched with wide eyes as the tiniest smile lifted up the corner of Ivan's lips. He quickly removed it and turned away, but not before I'd seen that hint of a smile. And my god, it had made him look years younger. I didn't even realize how long I'd been staring in his direction, long after his smile had disappeared until fingers snapped in my line of sight. I realized Mikhail had been trying to get my attention and I shifted to face him, my face beet red at being caught. When I finally met his eyes, I saw his eyes narrowed as he studied me.

"What, what is it," stammering slightly, and that only caused me to blush harder. I couldn't help it though, not when his eyes were so intensely focused on the blush on my cheeks.

"You'll figure out soon enough," he said with cryptic smile that gave away nothing, as he turned back to his painting leaving me to ponder over his strange words. I zoned out completely, trying to puzzle it out until the bell rang, signaling the end of the class. The art teacher came around the class to see the paintings and a smile appeared on his face at Mikhail's painting of me. When I tried to lean forward to see it as well, he hid it from my sight much to my frustration.

"Why can't I see it," I asked, genuinely curious.

"I've not finished it yet Roe. It's meant to represent you, and I hardly know anything about you yet to do this painting justice" he said casually and I blurted out the first question that came to my mind at his words.

"Are you going to stick around to find out more about me then," I asked, and he looked surprised for a second, not at my confidence but at the fact that I'd even ask such a question, as if it were so ridiculous.

"Well I wouldn't want to leave the painting unfinished. It could turn out to be a masterpiece," he said coyly, his eyes glittering with amusement before they faded to awe. For a second, I didn't know why before I realized a beaming smile had spread across my face. He was looking at me like I was the most incredible thing he'd ever seen.

"God you're breathtaking," he said softly and my heart stopped beating for a second at the raw honesty with which he'd delivered that line. Our gazes stayed locked, and what could have been seconds or years later, we turned away from each other to see the art teacher standing in front of Alexei's painting with a frown marring his face. I couldn't blame him. It was a mess of color, mostly black and red, with hints of gold and silver.

"Would you care to explain your painting Mr.Volkov."

"You told me to paint Ivan and I've done just that sir," he said respectfully, his eyes trained just above the teacher's head.

"Would you care to give us any further insight," the teacher asked, and Alexei sat up straighter and cleared his throat, like he was ready to deliver a speech.

"It's Ivan in color. The black and red dominating the softer gold and silver. You see, although Ivan's temper and anger runs red hot, underneath it lies the purest of intentions and a heart of gold. It's awfully sad that he doesn't let the world see it so I decided to take the task upon myself. I think I've done quite a fair job for a blind boy, if I do say so myself " finished Alexei, emphasizing the words blind boy with drawling amusement. His eyes had somehow drifted to face my direction, his words for me. He was asking me to give Ivan a chance, to tear his walls down and earn a place in his heart just as he and Mikhail had done. At that moment I realized how incredible this boy was. He'd gone out of his way just to ensure his friend had a chance with me. For friendship? Love? I didn't know but I whispered an of course under my breath in Alexei's direction, and in answer his entire face lit up with a radiant smile.

What he didn't know was that I'd already taken that chance. The minute I'd let these boys into my home in the dead of the night I'd allowed all three of them into the smallest corner of my heart and overtime, that corner would only get bigger. But for now all I knew was that fate had gifted me with three beautiful boys and I'd be a fool if I let any of them slip through my fingers over the fear of having my heart shattered once again. 

I hope you liked this chapter! It's slightly longer than the rest so enjoy <3. I love writing about these boys! They're just so interesting to create. 

Is Ivan started to grow on you? And what about the other two boys? Do you think Roe's making a mistake in trusting them so quickly? I'd love to here all your answer, criticisms, doubts, and whatever else below. And if you liked this chapter, don't forget to click on the little star as well. Your support so far has been incredible and I'm so grateful to each and every person who has taken the time to read my book. 

Love

-ASH