Behind Your Hazel Eyes.
Chapter One – August

Here it is, August 5th, I've officially been living in New York for a year. According to the 'Fool proof' plan I had laid out in my brain, I should currently be in the Maldives celebrating the success of my first ever art exhibit selling out with the love of my life. Instead I'm still painting pet portraits on Etsy to make rent, with Clive... my 6 year old Monstera Cheese plant. Stepping out onto my balcony, over looking Brooklyn, I place the scolding hot instant coffee down on the brick ledge. I could be thinking about how my ex fiancé Nick ran away with my sister the night before we were suppose to be married. I could be thinking about what my mother would think of my sad situation, up in heaven, following that id obviously think about the existence heaven and hell and religion as a whole. Instead I'm sat thinking about how I used the wrong shade of brown on a customers, custom Beagle painting. As I ponder the difference between Mocha and Walnut paint pigments, my alarm on my phone goes off, reminding me I cant live in my head forever.

After scrambling to find something to throw on to leave my apartment, I say goodbye to Clive and head towards the art studio. Due to lack of space and money for supplies, I've been relying on the kindness of my friend, Mika to allow me to use their studio to paint Chihuahua's and Russian dwarf hamsters for my online store. Of course in exchange, I serve coffee and gluten free bagels on a Tuesday while they attend their weekly yoga lessons, is it worth it? I guess ill have to come back to you on that. It doesn't take long to get to my destination and I'm just in time to catch Mika opening up.
"It's not Tuesday, to what do I owe this pleasure" Pulling up the shutters, you can feel the sarcasm leaving Mika's lips. I cant help but smirk as I roll my eyes until I finally stand by their side.
"No, I just left some paintings here yesterday. They didn't dry in time and they need to be sent off today."
"And here's me thinking you just wanted to hang out!" I know she's joking but I cant help but think theirs another layer to their sarcasm. I watch as they unlock the front door, offering me to go first. I oblige.
"Id love to 'hang out' but I simply cant, there's a whole world out there, waiting for their pets to be immortalised on 30 by 20 canvases. I can't let the world down!" Adopting some of their sarcasm, I throw my tote bag on the counter at the opening on the shop and swing on my heels to face my friend.
" ha. Ha" they mock " So after you bring the crazy pet owners justice and salvation, what are you doing with your day."
"Actually, I need to go to the bookstore I've had a book on hold there for about a week now."
Mika didn't need to respond with words, the look on their face said everything... in fact it screamed GET A LIFE at me almost every time I mentioned any sort of 'plan' to them. I just sighed with half a smile and walked into the back room where my paintings where waiting for me, collecting my stuff; bag included. I simply waved goodbye to Mika and headed towards the nearest post office.

As I leave the bookstore, I couldn't help but think about the look on Mika's face, How does one simply get a life? I could ask myself the question all day or do something in a strange attempt to answer it.
I haul down a taxi and hop inside, I gave the driver the exact location I needed to be and I sat back and delved into my book as we drove out of Brooklyn and into New York City.

Central Park... This was my idea of a 'life' Great. With a defeated sigh, I drag myself over to the nearest free bench and continue reading my book hoping to get sucked into some new life just for a while although the fictitious life of Congressman Charlie Marder was hardly the life a 25 year old woman dreamt of.
"Hellfire Club?"
A strangers voice blocked all my concentration. With a puzzled look on my face, I look up passed my shoulder. It didn't do much, the sun was so bright, it cast a shadow over the strangers face.
"The book" the stranger spoke again, his hand though currently occupied by a disposable, take away coffee cup allowed for one finger to spring free in the direction of the novel occupying my hands. I look back at the cover once more and pull myself out of the confusion I was experiencing.
"Oh yeah. I just started reading it..." The stranger kept approaching me, so out of politeness, I shuffle up the park bench a little more, making room for him. As he sat beside me, the sun allowed for more of his features to show. I have to compose myself slightly, choking a little on my own breath. Jake Gyllenhaal is sitting next me. What. The. Fuck.
"I read it a couple years back, it's quite the story" following his words a small snigger escaped his breath. All I could do was smile back at him. I was completely star struck. God, I felt so stupid.
"Im Jake" he broke the silence, I just turned to him with the most awkward smile and held my hand out for him to shake... what was I doing...
"Winter" I responded. He looked down at my hand and let another laugh pass. He cocked his head up slightly and took my hand into his and with a firm grip, shook my hand. Once he let go of my hand, I allowed my face to scrunch up, cringing at my pathetic attempt of an introduction.
"Winter? That's a pretty name"
"Actually I think it was some sort of sick joke my mom played on me" He looked at me again with that same puzzled look. "Oh, yeah, well my last name is Summers." I could see the contained laughter in his eyes as he took in a sharp breath, a breath you couldn't mistake, you know the one... the one that in every language ever means 'Unlucky'
"That's...yeah that's unfortunate." He mocked, a sly, wide smile invaded his face, exposing the most adorable dimples, I think I've ever seen. " It's been lovely to meet you Winter Summers." His infectious giggle caught me, giggling and nodding I added a simple you too, to the conversation as he stood up.
"Maybe, I'll get to see you around" turning on his heels to look back at me, I nodded again as he said goodbye and walked further down the path until I couldn't see him anymore.
As soon as he was out of my sight, I exhaled loudly, grasping onto the side of the park bench to check I was still in reality. Did I just really meet Jake Gyllenhaal? Did Jake Gyllenhaal say he hoped to see me again or was I reading into a standard polite comment? Pushing up from the bench, I peered around the bush in which he disappeared and low and behold, there he was walking further into the distance. In pure disbelief, I threw my bag back onto my arm and threw my book in the bag and raced to find a taxi. This was far too much excitement in my life.