Whoa! My love, my darling, I hunger for your touch, alone. Lonely time. And time goes by, so slowly, and time can do so much. Are you still mine? I need your love. I need your love. God speed your love to me.

The sound of music had whisked through the hallways of the school like a blazing lion, strong in its beauty. Tori turned from her locker, her eyes scanning through the empty halls. The music was toned and striking, coming from a nearby piano which meant someone was playing in the music room in the after hours of school. It was Friday, the weather outside was dim, musky and still an unflattering shade of grey skies and timid rain. The week had gone by fast, she woke up every morning and joined and drove to school with Trina, afterwards she'd stop by Cat and Jade's house for a few hours before heading home to eat, do homework and repeat everything the very next day. At least that was how the week had gone, today neither Cat nor Jade showed up to school and when she texted them her messages went unanswered. Now she was in school because she had forgotten to take home her English book, but once the sound of music had reached her ears it was as if she had forgotten why she had come back to school in the first place. Her feet moved with anticipation towards the music room, leaving behind her open locker she wondered off. And as the sound grew Tori found herself completely in awe, the music was the most beautiful sound she had ever had the pleasure of hearing. Quickly she walked through the doors of the music room and walked closer and closer to the sound. And as the piano came into view she stopped in her tracks.

There in front of her sitting at the piano was Beck, Jade's brother.

Tori stood and stared, it was like being under a spell. The song he played was so intoxicating, stunning in its sound, it made her breathless and dizzy in the mind.

And as the song came to an abrupt halt, Tori felt her heart sting and yarn for more. She held her breath, her eyes glowering over him, curious. He didn't turn around, didn't make any move to acknowledge her or find her out.

Slowly she retracted her steps. "Don't go," he said.

Tori paused.

Turning around he looked at her.

"Miss Vega, we meet again."

Tori looked away, "I'm sorry. I uh, I didn't mean to interrupt you."

Beck shrugged his shoulders as he stood. "You didn't, I was just finishing up." He said.

Tori nodded. "It was so beautiful, that-uh-that song you were playing. I had no idea you could play, you're amazing."

Beck smiled and she shivered, her eyes landing on his lips. He was beautiful when he smiled.

"Thank you." He nodded as he stepped closer to her, "so why are you in school at this time?"
Tori shrugged as she scrunched her face and laughed, "I uh, I forgot my English book, so… I came back for it." She said.

"Right." Beck said.

Looking around trying desperately not to make eye contact Tori bit her lip, "Is Jade feeling alright?" Tori asked, "She and Cat didn't come in today."

"They're sick, came down with a nasty flu last night." Beck said.

"Oh, that sucks! Are they going to be okay?"

"They'll be fine." He said with ease.

Tori nodded, "And what about you?"

"I'll be fine too." Beck said, her eyes shinning down at her.

"No I meant, uh-haven't seen much of you this week."

"I've been around, just trying to adjust."

"Good." Tori nodded, "so I guess I should go, see you around?"

"Wait," he said, "I was actually wondering if you could help me with something."

Tori nodded, "Sure, I guess it depends on what it is."

"For art there's a specific assignment I was given and I was wondering if you could help. I'd like to paint you."

Tori's eyes popped as she laughed and folded her arms. "Me? You want to paint me? I uh… that'd be cool. I mean, sure." Tori nodded.

"Good, alright well here," he said as he pulled out a pen from his pocket and took her hand. Electricity zoomed through her like lightening as she felt his skin against hers by just the grace of his hand. And it was as if he was unaffected, quickly he wrote something down on her palm. Looking down at her hand Tori made out an address. "That's my studio down in the center of town. Think you can come by around six?"

Tori was stunned, she hadn't thought he'd want to do it today. Smiling she agreed. "Yeah, I'll be there."

"I'll see you later."

"Yeah." Tori whispered as she crooked a smile towards him before leaving.

(x)

The few minutes Tori had with every red light allowed her to try to get in touch with either Jade or Cat. None of them picked up. Tori settled for leaving a voice-mail.

(x)

Hey! Beck told me that you and Cat were down with the flu! That really bites, listen I missed you guys in school today and since you're not answering I'm guessing your throats aren't doing too well. I hope you two get better soon, and please, call me back or at least text me. I'm worried. Okay well call me, or text, alright? Bye.

Jade snapped her phone shut as Tori's words filled her head. 'Beck told me'.

Jade cringed; of course Beck would take the opportunity to stake out Victoria while she was out hunting. The flu? Really… rolling her eyes she looked over to Cat who had just released her mountain lion off into the wilderness. Cat's mouth was covered in animal blood and her brown eyes glowed in a halo light, she had feed well.

"Finished?" Jade asked.

Cat smiled, "Not even close." And just as fast as the words left her mouth she had speed off in a flash deeper into the woods. Jade smiled before looking down at her phone and then with her gifted vampire speed, she ran after Cat.

(x)

Once Tori had gotten home she rushed to shower and finish her homework on time, her clock was pressing five o' clock on the dot and she didn't want to arrive late to meet Beck. Finishing her homework she pulled on some jeans with a regular white blouse and boots, topping off her look with the scarf Jade had bought her.

Before heading out Tori knocked on Trina's locked door hoping for a reply and when she didn't get one she gave up, "I'm taking the car, okay? See you later." She yelled as she left.

(x)

The town was filled with people who gave her trouble when finding a proper place to park. Once she parked she walked up a busy block to the address Beck had given her. The studio was on the top floor, above a gallery. Walking up the flight of steps up the door the read 265, knocking softly Tori waited for an answer. Quickly Beck opened the door and smiled brightly at her, "Hi. So glad you came."

"Yeah, of course."

"Come on in." he said as he stepped aside and allowed Tori to walk right in. The studio was a large one, with white walls and windows that covered the place. There were multiple tables that held things like paint, brushes, sheets, and various other things. There were a few centric paintings on the walls and even a board filled with pictures, top notch, as if done by a photographer. Quickly Tori knew that Beck had taken all of the photos that hung from the board. On the ground at the center of the studio were newspapers beyond newspapers spread out on the floor. And playing in the background on an old record player was Billie Holiday's "All of Me."

"Wow." Tori said her mouth agape as she looked around the room. "Did you- did you paint all these?" Tori asked as she looked towards the paintings that hung on the walls.

Beck nodded. "Yes."

Tori bit her lip as she looked between him and the paintings. "Okay, I'm ready."

"Yeah there's been a slight change in plans." Beck says.

Tori looks at him surprised, "What?"

"I won't be painting you." He said.

"You won't?" Tori asked, a little let down.

"No." he says walking closer to her, so close that he has shot her personal space to hell and with ease she can feel the warmth that pours from his body heat. "I'll be paintingon you, instead."

"Wait, what?" Tori asked, confused.

Beck laughed as he tried to get her to understand, "Okay. I'm going to be painting on your body. So I hope you're okay with getting a little cold."

Tori's mind raced a thousand miles, the words "I'm going to be painting on your body." Repeated over and over in her head. Tori looked at him confused.

"God this is coming out all wrong, here let me show you." He said as he moved away and pulled out one of his photo albums. Pulling it open he walked over to Tori and showed her a picture. Before her eyes in the picture laid a girl and a boy, they were both nude but you could never tell because their entire bodies were covered head to toe in paint. On their shoulders going across was painted a night sky, on their stomachs it looked like the wilderness and down their legs was a desert, before finishing with the sun spreading across their toes.

"Oh wow… that's incredible. But there is no way I'd go naked for you to paint on me!"

"I wouldn't ask that of you Tori, I figured it was too early for that, that's why I have a bathing suit you can wear, it's a natural color so it won't deflect from the paint. That is, if you're willing to do it. I wouldn't want to push you to do something you're not comfortable with."

"I've never done anything like this before." She whispered.

"Don't worry, I'll be gentle." He whispered.

Tori stared at him, his statement sending fire through her veins.

"Okay." Tori agreed.

(x)

When Tori had walked out of the bathroom in the bikini she thanked the heavens that she had shaved earlier. It was tan and went along with the tone of her skin perfectly. Walking over to the middle of the room she could see Beck on the floor with different sets of paint around him, sharpening his tools and flexing his paint brushes he didn't notice when she walked in. Breathing in deeply she hugged herself as the coolness of wearing so little hit. Looking up Beck saw her, his eyes gleaming in appreciation and something else she couldn't place her finger on. Smiling deviously he pointed his finger at her and willed her over. "Come." He said.

With all the courage she could gather she walked over to him, careful not to step on the newspapers.

"Here, tie up your hair." He said as he handed her a hair band. Quickly she took the hair band and pulled up her hair.

"Now lay down on the newspapers, back straight against the floor, head up, hands flat against the paper."

Slowly she did what he asked, taking her time. And once she was fully situated on the floor she shivered at how cold she felt.

"Don't worry; I turned up the heater so it should start getting warmer. Though not too much, we want the paint to dry with grace." He said.

"Okay." She breathed.

"Now, stay perfectly still. Don't move." He said as he pulled back his hair before he picked up his paintbrush. Dipping it in the yellow paint he began at her neck. Tori flinched; the paint was cool against her skin. "Sorry." She winced as she closed her eyes.

"I know it's cold. Bare with me." He said as he continued.

As Beck continued to paint on her the record player switched, and started to play Unchained Melody by The Righteous Brothers. Everything changed once the music started to fill the air, every stroke of Beck's brush became a much more erotic move. The lyrics swam around her and she could feel her blood begin to warm. She felt herself electrified. Opening her eyes she looked at him. The way he was painting on her with such tenderness, such care, it made her quake inside. His eyes were fixed on his brush and where it traveled. She could feel the hair on her arms rise.

"I love this song." She said.

"Oh do you?" he asked.

"Yeah, my mom used to play it all the time when I was young; she said it was the most romantic song of all time." Tori said.

"I suppose it is."

"I find it tragic." She whispers.

"Why?" he asked as he dipped his brush in red.

"The lyrics… they're tragic."

Beck smiled down at her, "The song writer Zaret focused a lot on his lyrics, he said the song was about someone who pines for a lover he has not seen in a "long, lonely time."

"See… tragic." Tori dismisses.

"Not if he found her again." Beck said. His eyes deep, boring into hers. Tori shudders again.

"True." She whispers.

The rest of the time was spent in silence. Time passed desperately slow though Tori never complained, never rushed. She lay perfectly still as the paint brush passed over every inch of skin it could get. It was the most chilling experience of her life, in many levels; she couldn't explain why she had allowed him to paint on her, yet a part of her just knew she could trust him, that he was allowed this privilege. And when the brush stroked down to her naval she felt something within her burn, as if she caught fire.

When he finished she remained still until he was able to grab his camera and take shots of her. Tori stayed still for him though she anxiously wanted to look down at herself. Quickly he flashed a few shots and was finished. "Done." He said, "Thank you so much."

Carefully Beck helped Tori to stand.

"Close your eyes." He whispered to her. And she did. He moved to retrieve a mirror and once he had one set in front of her he told her to open her eyes. Tori was stunned. She was walking art work. There on her body was painted suns beyond suns all over her neck, arms, stomach and legs. On her feet and toes were moons, half crescent, full moons of all sorts. Across her stomach stood a lion in all it's fierceness, bright tan, with a crown on its head and a rabbit at its side. On her arms were rose bushes with thorns popping out the edges. Down on her hands were painted orchids lying on a pond.

Tori's mouth gaped open. "It's beautiful. I… I don't know if I want to wash it off." She said with a laugh.

Beck stayed silent, gazing at her.

"You're a true artist Beck; I wish I had your gifts. You can capture all of this and even play the piano. What can't you do?" she asked.

"I can't take back time." He whispered.

Tori looked at him curiously and before she could ask what he meant he interrupted. "There are towels in the closet next to the bathroom. Feel free to take as much as you need to clean off. No rush." He said as he walked away.

Tori stared as he walked off before looking back at herself. Suddenly the lyrics replayed in her head, "I hunger for your touch, alone. Lonely time. And time goes by, so slowly, and time can do so much. Are you still mine? I need your love."

(x)

Tori had showered again, dressed and was ready to leave. It was pressing eight thirty and the last thing she wanted was for her aunt to call her worried. Walking out of the bathroom with her lucky scarf tight around her neck she came over to Beck.

"Hey. That was really fun and all but I should be heading home now." Tori said and as he turns around to face her she notices a scarf in his hands. It was yellow cotton with tears that looked as old as time.

"What's that?" she asked.

"A scarf that belonged to an old friend of mine." He said, looking over at her with sad eyes, "Old friend huh?" Tori asked, "I'm sorry." She said.

"For what?"

"Your friend. Is that the only thing that remains of them?" she asks.

Beck looks at her surprised before looking down at it. Had he really become an open book?

"It was." He said before dismissing it, "Do you need a ride home?" he asked.

"No, I drove here."

"Okay, well thank you Tori for your help, it means a lot to me." He said.

"No problem. So I guess this means I'll be seeing you around?"

"Count on it." He says.

Tori nods before turning and just before she can take another step away he takes her hand, lifts it to his lips and kisses her. "Bye Victoria." He says. Tori pauses for a moment to stare at him, flustered she nods again before taking off. He watches her as she walks away, unknowingly taking something of his with her.

His heart.