Finding Them // sequel to Endgame AU

.Chapter 9.

*Riley pov coming soon*

Maya

I sit in the empty art room, silently off in some other world, letting my hand do what ever it wants as it slowly dances across the canvas. I've been doing this everyday for the past week; staying after school in Ms. Cavnas' room to finish or perfect projects or just to do my own thing. For some, music is a get away or sometimes youtube- and though I love artists like Troye Sivan and Ariana Grande and youtubers like Dan and Phil and Lilly Singh- art was just a way for me to get to a unicorn island of my own. A safe, quiet, secluded happy space where I can just do whatever I want. Here I was free from those thoughts I didn't want, from the drama I had no desire in being in...

From reality.

I don't often have much time to come to this place. With school, taking care of my brother, art and now work, I didn't have much time to relax or anytime at that; so these after school sessions were truly a blessing.

"Woah. That's amazing." I hear a soft voice say next to me. I look beside me and see nothing but sand and the sea- I blink a few times and see that I'm in the art classroom with Riley seated beside me. I jump a little as I was not at all expecting her to be there and our faces end up pretty close. She blushes and it makes me want to smash the canvas over my head.

"Sorry. I- I saw you painting and um had to come in." She says, still blushing but also smiling now. I immediately feel bad for making her nervous and uncomfortable... because that's why she was red... not because of how close we are, or how close our faces were just a second ago. "I'm sorry for making you feel uncomfortable this hap-" She rolls her eyes and lets our a soft chuckle.

"You didn't make me uncomfortable Maya." She says, looking way from me and at my canvas. "But really, this is absolutely amazing." I slowly turn my head to my canvas and smile slightly at my little creation.

It was a picture of a girl with her eyes closed, smiling a little; her hair was of the sea and wind, little nothings drawn inside and along the hair. The colors were very nice I must admit. But it wasn't my finest work. Yet Riley sure seemed to think so.

"Oh my goodness! This is amazing! You should enter the art show! Or a talent show! Everyone needs to see your artwork because it's absolutely beautiful and-"

Riley went on like this for a while; giving me compliments, complimenting the art. We later started to talk about the city art showcase- it consisted of Riley and Ms. Cavnas telling me about it and trying to convince me to enter, and me sitting there red, glad that these people cared enough to tell me this but also embarrassed that I don't have the motivation for it.

"Of course you definitely don't have to love, it's just a suggestion. You have a little while to decided anyways." Ms. Cavnas smiled warmly at me before walking over to her desk. Riley takes my hand and turns it over so that my palm is facing up. My face burns up immediately at the contact but she's not looking and I, for once, feel lucky. She holds it up to show Ms. Cavnas.

"This is the hand of a true painter." She says causing all of us to laugh. She turns to me and smiles. "We should really hang out more Maya." She states simply, and all I can do is nod and try to avoid her big brown eyes. 

Soon there is a knock on the door and in the doorway stands Lucas. He looks over at me before looking at Riley- she stands up and turns to me. "Don't forget what I said?" She states looking me deep in my eyes, and it feels like she's searching me for something, like she herself is trying to find something. She stands up and walks over to the door, hugging Ms. Cavnas on her way out.

I sigh.

"You like her, huh?" I look over at Ms. Cavnas who has that same warm smile on her small face. I smile at her statement and she only smiles wider.

And in that moment I feel nothing but bliss.

A/N

Updates will come more frequently for the next week.

Also can we just take a moment to appreciate Ariana Grande and what she was able to do today. She brought so many people together to help and support others. So much is going on in this world right now and something like One Love Manchester is something you or I could do at anytime. Of course it doesn't have to be that big, it can be anything from a simple telling someone you love them, to spreading happiness and love through your social platforms. I love you guys and I hope you remain safe, well and happy.

Spread love and kindness.