(Title Change)

Chapter 3

TW: Attempted suicide

"I'm coming!" I shouted from the convenient store's counter when I heard a beep come from Carter's car.

I paid the cashier what I owed her, grabbed the bag she'd given to me that was full of the items I bought, and then exited the store. I ran to Carter's car and got into it. I closed the door of his car, threw the bag I had in the backseat, and quickly put on my seatbelt while Carter zoomed off.

"So, what did you get?" He asked glancing at me and then back on the road.

"Hmm... Popcorn-"

"Okay... What else?"

"Sodas, gummy worms, Sour Patch Kids, cherry bombs, red licorice, and..." I chuckled, then sighed. "Coupons for a Mexican grill."

"Jackpot!" We both laughed.

An awkward silence grew in the car, so I quickly turned the radio on. I changed the station to my favorite alternative rock radio station. Most of the bands I listened to were played on this station. I closed my eyes, humming to Artic Monkey's, Do I Wanna Know?

~ ~ ~

I opened my eyes when I felt the car's engine cut off. I looked out of the window to see Carter's two-story townhouse. I chuckled softly and got out of the car. I closed the car door and went to the backseat to get the bag.

I closed the car door and followed Carter up to the front door of his apartment. He pulled out his keys from his back pocket and unlocked the door. He opened the door wide and allowed me to walk in first.

"You can just put the bag on the counter."

I quickly looked around the apartment. There was a countertop that was separating the living room and kitchen as I remembered. Duh. Last time I came over was only a few days ago. There was a flight of stairs in the corner of the living room, which lead to a bathroom and master bedroom.

I sighed and walked over to the countertop to put the bag on it.

"Rose." I turned around. Carter was motioning me to come towards him. "You can go upstairs and wait for me in the bedroom. I'll uh... I'll be there in a sec."

"Sure," I shrugged, walking past him to walk up the stairs.

I entered his bedroom with no hesitation. The bedroom walls were painted plain white. There was a bed in the corner of the room that was covered with blue and grey bedsheets and pillows, and the closed closet next to it. There was a door in the middle of the room that lead to the balcony. A desk on the right side of the room. A music player, disks, and loose-leaf paper were neatly stacked on top of it.

I walk over to the desk and skimmed the papers that were on it. These weren't here when I was last over here. I glanced over at the canvas flipped backside up. Curiosity got ahold of me and I flipped it over. It was a painting that Carter painted of... Of me. He referenced one of my favorite photos he took of me. The drawing was me sitting in a meadow, laughing. I was wearing a white dress and a necklace. My vibrant curls framing my face and brown, beautiful skin painted to glitter in the sunlight. I smiled softly. He was very talented. Extremely underrated in the Academy, in my opinion.

"Looking for something?" I jumped and quickly turned around. Carter was leaning against the doorframe as he watched me as I continued to hold the canvas in my hand, frightened by his sudden presence. He laughed.

"Gosh, you have to stop doing that! " I chuckled. "I was just looking at this painting you did of me. It's very beautiful."

"Thanks." He took the canvas out of my hand and I frowned.