Playing With Fire

Chapter Three: Bubbly.

The next morning I woke up bright and early knowing that I would be out and about all day, for the most part. Both Tara and I were up at the moment. I would have to drop her off at work using my car. We usually traded off when it came to using the car but I needed it more than her today. I had to get to the park to set up for the art sale that was always held on Wednesdays.

I was an artist on the side besides my job at the hospital as an RN. I mostly sketched or did paintings when I got the chance. I filled up a thermos of tea before gathering my art that I planned to sell today and joined Tara at the door.

She looked dead to the world right now. It made me giggle knowing that the our roles were reversed for the moment at least. She was always such a grouch in the morning. We got in the car and headed down the street where the bakery was and then towards the street that led to the hospital.

I was silent for the most part, thinking about everything that happened within the past couple days. I had nearly died for the sixth time, I met a nerdy but cool guy who I probably wouldn't see again as long as I could help it.

It wasn't that I didn't like Dr. Reid. I did, it's just that I didn't think he needed to be around me so much. I wasn't the most luckiest person in the world. Whether that be with my health or my sanity, I couldn't say that sometimes I wish I wasn't me. But I was dealing with it.

As I pulled to the front of the hospital I finally spoke to Tara. She had been quiet on the way here. "Be nice to Jason, try not to bite his head off too much." I paused as she looked over at me and I saw a smirk appear on her face.

"I'll try not to, I make no promises though." I gave her a smile before reminding her that I would be back for her around five. She nodded before planted a kiss on my cheek and then getting out the car.

She did that all the time. It was her way of being affectionate towards me, even though others may have seen it something else. It wasn't unusual for people; some co-workers to say things about our friendship. We mostly brushed it off as if it was nothing. We knew what was true and what wasn't.

I sighed as I began the twenty minute drive over to the huge park that I always went to on Wednesdays. I had to get here earlier on sale days when hundreds of artist got ready to display their art for the buyers that came by the dozens. It blew my mind how many people truly appreciate art, whether it was for their homes or for their galleries. It was nice to get your art chosen for anything.

I smiled as I parked along the sidewalk that was across from the park. There weren't any places to park near the park besides across the way. It was a good thing that I knew the owner of the art store that was directly across or I would have had to park somewhere else. Possibly blocks away.

I quickly grabbed my things before dashing as fast as I could I ran across the street before the traffic could hit. I smiled at Connie, one of the girls who I had met when I first started coming to the park to sketch waved at me. From there I started on my display.

It didn't take me too long before I could settle down in my chair and start enjoying my tea which was surprisingly still hot. There were still a few hours before the customers started to come out.

4:30 PM

I was getting ready to pack up when I heard a voice yell in my direction. I turned slowly and saw a multitude of colors before the woman stopped in front of me. She was a blonde and had plenty of covers. The colors she wore were very vibrant but seemed to compliment her. I didn't know a lot of people who could do that. She had pink framed glasses on her face and she just looked bubbly.

"Hi." I said quietly as I watched her gaze and one of the last paintings I had. It was inspired my a memory I had with my father before he passed. He was a Marine but this was more of memory from when I was a toddler.

"This is interesting, what was your inspiration?" She seemed giddy as she asked me that question. The bubbly-ness that I noticed as she rushed over to me just seemed to keep going. It reminded me a lot of Tara.

I was then reminded that I needed to get going before I was late picking her up.

"I-I don't mean to seem rude but I was just about to leave. I have to pick up my roomate." She held her hand up to stop me from saying anything more.

"He'll love this. How much do you want for it? I'm sure you want more than what you priced it as." She seemed a bit disappointed at the price. It was pretty strange. "Its worth more than twenty bucks, I know that much." She smiled at me.

"Twenty is fine. I'm not too demanding about prices for my art." I shifted from side to side. She made me feel uncomfortable about myself. She seemed to confident. I knew I wasn't even close to that.

"Here, take the fifty. I know it's worth more but that's all I have right now." She smiled even wider as she took the painting down from the easel I had it displayed on. "I'll be back in a few weeks, hopefully I'll see you again." I nodded and gave her a small smile as I told her thanks.

She walked away after telling me that her name was Penelope Garcia but that her friends called her Garcia. I told her my name before beginning to pick my things up and heading to my car, which was in the opposite direction from where she was going. It was odd cause most people parked across the way.

I had just finished my reports, much earlier than everyone else thanks to my ability to read faster than anyone else. I was about to head on home when Garcia smack a large square in front of me. It would have hit my hand if it was for the fact that I had moved back from my desk.

I just looked at her as she grinned at me. "That's for your house, Wonder Boy."

"Oh. Um, thanks." I sighed as I picked up the painting and turned it around so that I could look at it right. It was interesting. Not in a bad way at all. I liked it a lot. Whoever had done this definitely took their time in doing it.

There was a lot of detail in the painting. "Do you like it?" She said after a moment.

"Yes." I smiled awkwardly at her before standing up with the painting in hand.

"Good. I paid a good price for that just a few moments ago. The girl was kind of shy who had painted it though. Either way, you're welcome." She smiled brightly at me before bounded off to her off.

I shook my head before pulling my messenger bag over my shoulder and heading towards the door. No one really paid me much attention since they were trying to get through their reports.

I was curious who this artist was. I didn't really think much of them though once I got into my car and began my drive home. I had a busy night ahead of me.

A/N: Thanks so much for all the comments that I've gotten so far for this story. It made me smile that even one person read it. I hope you like this chapter. I felt much better writing it. So leave a review and let me know what you think, yeah?

:3

~daisherz365