Grayson nodded, flipping carelessly through his journal. “Just a bit anxious.”
Understatment of the year.
“But I..uh..don’t want to bother you. You didn’t come here to talk to me,” he laughed a little, shifting nervously.
Outside (O/O closed, stalkers welcome :)
“No, I didn’t,” she supposed, “But I’d rather talk to you than take pictures for a class right now.” She turned off her camera, “I can take pictures any time. I’ve wanted to talk to you since we moved in.”
“Oh..really? I didn’t think I was that interesting,” Grayson said quietly. He suddenly remembered something and looked up at her with a half smile. “What were you drawing?”
“Oh..” she smiled, a little embarrassed, “A lot of things, but..your house actually.” She giggled nervously, “Not to be creepy, I just really..like the architecture.”
Grayson perked up a bit at her giggle. “It’s not that weird. You’re more normal than me anyways,” he laughed a bit. “I guess it’s okay. I’ve been inside of that house too long to like it anymore..”
Jasmine nodded, “That makes sense, have you ever thought about going to the public school in this area? It’s close enough to walk.” She glanced around for a park bench to take a seat on, but the one she spotted would be too far away to just go sit. It would seem she wanted to leave the conversation—which was the last thing she ever wanted to do, “There’s a bench over there. Wanna go sit with me?”
Grayson nodded and followed her over to the bench. “I can’t. It’s not worth the risk,” he said, sitting down. “Plus, I can’t just walk into a school and expect to just be able to go to classes like a normal person.”
Jasmine sat down, resting her hands in her lap, “What’s the risk? It’s a pretty safe school, there aren’t even many fights.”
Grayson looked down at his hands and shook his head. “No it’s..it’s not the school. I..well..I can’t leave the house..and there are other reasons..” He trailed off again, looking up as a couple joggers ran past.
“Ah..” she dipped her head, pushing away the temptation to prod even more, so she changed the subject “Do you like making art?”
“Yeah, it helps pass the time,” he replied, glancing over at her. “I’m assuming you do to? Or, do you like photography more?” He asked, grateful for the subject change.
“I do them about the same amount, I take pictures and then I draw the pictures in my sketchbook with charcoal. I have a photography class, so that trumps most of my assignments, but I love both.” She said, absentmindedly look back down to her camera.
“Why charcoal? It never really appealed to me much.” Grayson turned slightly so he was facing her.
Jasmine shrugged, “I don’t know really…it’s kind of like playing with mud, it’s messy, and at the end I think it looks really cool. It’s like sketching with graphite but tvhas more of a gothic vibe. I’m not goth, but the art style kinda seals to me.”
Grayson laughed. “Yeah, messy can be good I guess. What do you like to draw..usually?” He asked, realizing now how nice it is to actually talk to someone.
“Hm..I usually like drawing architecture, landscape scenes. Um..I don’t draw people very well but I’ve been trying to practice.” She wished she had her notebook with her to show him.
Grayson nodded and glanced down at his watch. “What time should you be home?” He asked a bit nervously.
“Um..” she scratched the corner of her lip, “I think my stepmom said nine..what time is it now?”
Grayson looked back up at her worriedly. “It’s 9:15,” he told her regretfully, not wanting to leave the park and go back home.
“Oh, shoot..” she winced, “They’re gonna kill me.” She looked back to him.
“If anyone’s going to get killed, it’s me.” Grayson replied quietly. “Also..I uh..don’t know how I..got here..”
“I can walk you back home if you want.” She offered, “I know the way.”
“That would be great. Thanks.” Grayson smiled gratefully, standing up.
“You’re welcome.” She smiled and stood, “Do you have a phone number?”
“I guess I do.” Grayson took his phone out of his pocket. “You want it?” He asked, turning his phone to her.
“Yes please.” She took out her own phone to copy the number, “So if you’re stuck and bored in your house some day, I’d be happy if you’d text me. I’d like to be your friend.”
“Really? I..I mean..yeah, that’d be nice,” he said quickly, putting his phone back when she was done getting his number.
“I’ll text you so you have my number.” She said with a smile, “I need a friend, so thank you.”
“Okay,” Grayson nodded. “It’s my pleasure.” They began to walk back home, Grayson taking in his surroundings as they did.
Jasmine stuffed her phone back in her pocket, “Have you ever wanted to go to public school?” She finally spoke after a few minutes.