26. Write Me an Essay

Somin, Mia and Teho

There was still plenty of time until their dinner would arrive.

"Imma go get..." The boy signaled with his hand to the door.

Mia nodded, brewing the tea. Teho came back with a tablet and his camera and changed into homey clothes. Getting comfortable on the one armchair in the corner, he worked like he was in his flat while Mia made her way to Somin's room. The boy was left to contemplate his thoughts alone.

The music got softer and Teho's curiosity was at an all-time high.

He noticed that the door was slightly open because Mia had forgotten to close it. He could hear the girls whispering so the curious boy found himself at the counter nonchalantly making himself a cup of chamomile tea too. He approached the opened door hesitantly and peeked through, masking his presence with the sound of boiling water. His birdwatching training came in handy, helping him to blend into the background when needed.

The scene was intriguing; Somin painted more methodically now and Mia sat beside her talking, gesturing wildly, and making her sad roommate giggle.

I love this composition. Teho framed it in his mind.

The pink-haired girl looked serene even though she had reddish eyes and her hair was put in the messiest of buns. She had changed into comfortable clothes represented by a sloppily buttoned, paint-stained shirt dress and black stockings; all in stark contrast to the ever so sexy dancer.

Why do I think THIS is sexy?

The boy got lost in his confused feelings.

Well, you do, so that's that.

He went back to grab his camera and took a photo of the intimate moment.

I'm a certified creep now.

...

Teho stood in the door frame looking into Somin's room as he cupped his mug of herbal tea. The daring boy was careful not to step in and violate Somin's boundaries more than he already had. That wasn't the type of thrill he was looking for anyway.

"It's very Rothko-esque," Teho started with an obvious icebreaker.

The layers of blue blended into each other, mimicking her state of mind on the left side of the canvas. The rush of sharply added paint that was now softened, almost put him to sleep. Whereas the right side was still covered with bold strokes of thinly added blue stripes, yet to be smoothed.

Teho's sweet voice cut the air softly while Mia shook her head in disapproval. Somin turned to the source and pushed the boy back into the hall. She put all her weight into his chest with both palms, making her statement. He didn't resist, let her make those involuntary steps for him.

"Stay here," wafted toward Teho.

There was no barking sharpness in her voice anymore, just a tired plea.

"Why?" the confused photographer asked, but stood on the border of the safe grounds.

"Please guys, chill," Mia shifted uncomfortably on her bed, hoping all her friendship-making efforts wouldn't go to waste.

"I'm chill," Somin dried the rest of her tears on the big dress, calmed down by Mia's attentiveness, but still disturbed by Teho's unexpected presence.

"Why can't we just talk?" Teho asked.

"If I have to apologize again, I will." He reached a hand to her, wanting to move past this.

Somin looked desperately at Mia and the beautiful roommate asked, "Why won't you try it?"

Somin took Teho's hand and he smiled while he firmly squeezed hers.

"I'm sorry," he whispered when he crossed the threshold and Somin nodded.

He knew he was treading in hot water so he carefully changed the topic of conversation.

"Or do you like Newman more?" he asked, looking closely at the quickly drawn base of the right side.

"I think abstract expressionism is a good choice of style for a sad heart."

Be gentle. He encouraged himself.

The boy unexpectedly relished this unstable conversation, picking words like cherries. He was excited by the unpredictable reactions coming his way. Somin breathed out the rage he had inspired, slowly moving to stand beside him.

"It's more Rothko-like, because I prefer his meditative blurred edges to the sharp lines of Newman. Although I see why you thought of both," she explained.

"It's a nice parallel to one's blurred vision when crying, right?" Teho tried more.

"I wouldn't have guessed that you're into pacific school," she let out.

"Why?" he furrowed his brow.

Somin looked lost for a bit.

Yeah, why? Why would I think he wouldn't know, he's studying art too, dummy. But he gives me the feeling of someone who just doesn't care.

"You're yet again such an expert on me, pink-hair, I should let you write me an essay on my own thoughts," the remark visibly fuelled her anger.

He tried to soften the fired shots with, "I prefer meditative unfigural artwork too, because I love to think about what's hidden under the easily understandable layers of unambiguous colors and shapes. One has to be gentle in handling the reading of these emotive themes."

What is he trying to say? Somin was even more perplexed now.

Mia listened intently, observing how he threaded around and wondered if he put his head to the guillotine or not. But seeing him trying to be better to her friend made her decide, she'd let him make a move on her.

He'll be good. Mia smiled, observing the exchange.

"Do you often paint when you're in distress?" the gorgeous photographer felt confident fishing for more intimate information.

You exclaimed there's no chance we'd become friends, but I'm making us try, you see? Teho thought, feeling he was winning her over.

"Do you often shoot in distress?" Somin mocked him, not willing to confess anything, alcohol still warping her senses.

"Yes," Teho answered after a longer pause, where he contemplated how much he was willing to open in return.

The atmosphere got heavy.

Mia's phone vibrated with an incoming call from the delivery service, she welcomed the distraction and got out, not truly understanding the tension.

What should I do? They're never going to get on.

Mia panicked, seeing the relationships she had built threatening to collapse.

...

Teho and Somin looked at each other, still feeling something in the air.

"Yes, I often paint when I'm in distress," she finally whispered.

Silence.

His stare protruded into her being and she felt naked for a second, being there in her room alone with the stranger and her artwork.

"Do you feel it?" he whispered to the heavy silence.

He had to ask after the tension came back again and again between them.

Somin pushed him out of the room with, "I'll be ready in a minute." Touching his back and arm intentionally.

Yes, I do.

...

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😘 Can you be vulnerable at the right moment? 😘

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