Chapter 24 Audrey

My phone buzzed in my pocket just as I was finishing up the last of my homework for the evening. Frowning, 1 dug it out, expecting a text from Avis or Tim about our group project.

Instead, it was a new text from a familiar number that had me grinning like an idiot before I could stop myself.

"What are you up to tonight?"

It was from Gavin, that handsome water-turned-

classmate who had somehow managed to worm his way into my life over the last werk. Ever since we had exchanged numbers in Edwin's lecture, we had been texting back and forth regularly- first about class, then about design concepts, and eventually just chatting

Despite myself, I found myself looking forward to his stupid jokes and gentle teasing way more than I probably should have. He was cute, and sweet And maybe..

Biting my lip, I quickly tapped out a reply.

"Nothing. Just finished my homework. Why?"

A response came through almost immediately. "Wanna go see a play!"

Me: "A play? Like at the theater?"

Gavin "Yes, a play. They're doing a showing of Romeo and Juliet tonight"

Me: "I could be persuaded..."

I barely had to wait thirty seconds before he responded once again. "Sweet Pick you up at 7?"

My heart fluttered a line in my chest as I re-read the message. Was this was this considered a date We had hung out a few times over the week, grabbing coffee between classes or meeting up in the library for studying. But this felt different somehow More... Intentional

1 let out a shaky breath as I agreed to meet him, running my free hand through my hair Jumping up from my desk, I hurried out of my dorm

to Avis's,

room

few moments after I knocked, her curly blonde hair frazzled-she had clearly been napping. "Audrey?" she asked, rubbing her eyes with her fist.

without even waiting for an

forth across the tiled lobby of

my hair into soft waves, dabbing makeup onto my face, and belping me pick out the perfect outfit

usual heeled boots, a pair of flared jeans, and a slim-fitting top with a jacket over top. Avis had insisted on the top being slightly low-cut, stating that I didn't

signal Gavin's arrival. I took a deep, steadying

was Gavin, looking boyishly handsome in dark jeans, boots, and a soft gray sweater. He broke into a warm grin the moment he spotted me, shutting the door of his

and circling

swinging the passenger door

flushed a deep shade of red. "Thank

Gavin produced a single red rose that he extended to me

Gavin.." I couldn't help but smile as I took the flower, feeling stupidly bashful. "Thank you. You know, I've been trying to incorporate more floral elements into my designs lately. I could probably dry and pres Gavin chuckled at my gushing, shipping his hands into his pockets. "Well, after you've de-flowered the poor thing, we

want to make

embarrassed over quickly devolving into design talk, and tucked the rose into the strap

12

4:37 PM

Chapter 21

The scent of velvet curtains and mahogany filled my senses, the soft murmur of the audience and the quiet music fading into a dull, pleas "So what made you want to go see a play all of a sudden?" I asked as we found our seats and settled in. "I never would have taken you for a

buff.

always liked theater, Plus, I think it's important for any artist

can

the first preamble music started up. "Ooh,

to each other over the show's design concepts, fabric choices, color palettes, you name it. Soon enough, an usher was shushing us with a scowl, prompting my face to flus "Oops," I whispered to Gavin, covering my mouth with one hand. "I guess

sparkled, his mouth still twisted into that easy grin. "Yeah," he murmured back, suddenly shifting his weight closer

to drop an octave or two? I could have sworn my skin was tingling everywhere his arm pressed

mine.

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