Chapter 8

Patton's POV

I started to sketch, and it was going fine. Until of course my dog jumped up on Rachel and began licking her face. She began to giggle furiously, and held the dog. I ripped the sheet out, and began to sketch the new one. And I could proudly say it was turning out a lot better than before. And because this one was going to be special, I decided to colour it in.

I flicked through the watercolour pencils I had, and began on the hair. The sun perfectly illuminated her hair, and her cheeks. I kept looking up and back down furiously, and finished the picture quicker than usual. Well, all expect for her lips. I was looking for a nice colour, but half of my pencils were missing.

"Darn, I must've left half my stuff in my room." I stated after a bit. "Come on, we can have a look."

She nodded, and followed me back in the house and towards the small staircase. My mum poked her head around from the lounge room and beamed.

"And where are you two off to?" She asked in her chirpy tone.

"Just going upstairs to finish the picture." I replied. I heard my dad snort as he turned around.

"Sure, that's what I told my parents when I met your mother." He stated, only to get a backhand in his chest by mum.

"Do you two need anything?" She asked.

"Just a little bit of privacy would be good." I replied before grabbing Rachel's hand and leading her upstairs. I opened the door, and gestured for her to go inside. "Just make yourself at home, and I'll be like five seconds."

She sat down on my bed, and I began going through my art supplies on my desk. I found the colour I was looking for, and began sketching the last touches. I smiled once it was done, and handed it over to her for her to look. Her eyes widened in astonishment, and I knew she liked it. I scooted over to sit behind her, and leant my chin on her shoulder as she looked at it.

"This is amazing." She stated. "How come you never do anything like this in class?"

I merely shrugged. "I guess I don't want to waste all my good talent in that class. I prefer free time work."

She nodded, and looked at how many pages were left. "This seems to be near the end. You have more in here?"

"Well, yeah." I replied, wrapping my arms around her waist. "You can take a look if you want."

"And there's nothing in here I'll get offended by?" She asked with a smirk.

"Don't worry, none of the pictures are from pose. All from observation."

She nodded, and leant back a she went to the front of the book. She looked in astonishment, as the picture was of Abby and Nigel, doing something couples don't usually do until they're official…no I don't mean that.

"When did you capture this?" She asked slyly. "This is good dirt on them, even if it is a drawing. "

"It would be, wouldn't it?" I replied. "I actually draw that a couple of days ago."

She smirked, and turned the page. It was of Kuki, and she wore the largest grin on her face.

"Wow, you captured her perfectly here." She said as she moved on in the book. I felt my pocket vibrating, and I pulled my mobile out to see Fanny's number. Rachel just looked, and gestured for me to take it. I answered the call, and I could feel Rachel's eyes on me the whole time.

"What's wrong…what? He's taking people's clothes?…You can't catch him…He tied you up?…Woah, slow down Fanny…Look, I'm kinda busy with Rachel…Fine, I'll be there as soon as I can."

I hung up the phone in irritation, and Rachel frowned. "What was all that about?"

"Apparently one of the kids thought it'd be funny to take Fanny's jacket and pants and leave her in a tank top and skirt and tie her up so she can't stop him. He's been stripping the other cadets too."

Rachel sighed a little irritably. "You'd better go and help her then. I need to go anyway or my mum will kill me."

"Why don't you come with me then?" I asked. She merely shook her head.

"I've gotta go or I won't be allowed out of the house for a year." She kissed me a little harder than usual, and began to leave. I followed her outside, and stopped her before she could leave totally.

"Hey, I'm sorry about this." I scuffed my foot, and handed her the sketchbook. "Take it home, and I'll make it up to you.

I promise."

"You promise?"

I pecked her on the lips, and gave her a warm hug. "Yeah I promise. Look after yourself, alright?"

She nodded, and left without another word. I sighed, and head back to the house to leave for the Artic Base.