Unleashed

Chapter Twenty-One: Canvas

After Shelby  brought art supplies to our table along with the bottle of scotch and two glasses, she went over and turned on the radio so we could have some type of background music.

The first song that came on, I recognized the voice of Billie Eilish  right away, got excited and starting singing along. Ryker  looked at me curiously and smiled. "Billie fan?"

I nodded while I took a drink of my scotch. I was temporary distracted as I closed my eyes to appreciate the taste of the Whiskey. Oh yes, this was so much better than wine. It especially hit the spot after the heavy conversation we just had in the car.

I opened my eyes to find Ryker  staring at me, and I realized he was expecting more of an answer than a nod. "I love Billie Eilish. Her music is raw and honest, and she's not afraid to be weird. I've watched interviews of her and she just seems like she has an old soul for someone so young. I don't know, I just like that." I took another drink of my scotch before setting it down on the table.

He nodded, and picked up one of the clean brushes. "She does have an old soul. You're right." He said it as a statement, sounding just a little too sure. My eyes damn near popped out of my skull, and I startled him by suddenly grabbing hold of his arm.

"Oh my god, Ryker. Do not tell me you actually know Billie fucking Eilish and you're just now telling me?!"  I'm constantly forgetting he's someone famous who knows other famous people. So I'm left feeling shocked every time his celebrity status comes up in some way.

"Relax! I didn't say we were besties. I just met her once on a talk show. She was there to perform and I was there promoting my latest film. She seemed cool." He said the sentence very casually, and I was further reminded how much more exciting his life was compared to mine. Seriously, who just casually mentions in passing about this one time they were on a national talk show and met Billie Eilish?!

If it was me, that would be the highlight of my freakin life. You wouldn't be able to get me to shut up about it. But things like that happen to him all the time. So. freaking. weird.

We were both startled by Shelby  showing up behind us to get us started on what we would be painting. Considering I have no art skills whatsoever, this had the potential to be hysterical. I couldn't help but wonder if Ryker  had any art skills of his own.

I wouldn't be surprised at this point. 'Oh, I didn't tell you? I'm actually a world-renowned artist in my spare time. It's whatever. Could you pass the scotch?'

I turned my attention to Shelby, who held up a beautiful art piece. It appeared to be a landscape. A forest filled of thin black trees with bright red leaves on them, in a blanket of white snow next to a frozen lake.

"This is what you'll be painting tonight. It's called 'Foggy Morning.'" Shelby  said in a cheerful, upbeat voice, beaming proudly. I couldn't hold in my laughter, and both Ryker and Shelby  eyed me suspiciously.

"That is very beautiful, Shelby. But there's no way I'm going to be able to recreate it." I chuckled thinking of what my attempt would look like. Ryker  just smirked and Shelby  shook her head.

"Don't you worry, I just painted this as an example. But we want your interpretation of it. It should reflect who you are. So it's not supposed to be exactly the same. This is about having fun and getting creative." Shelby  smiled as she set down her painting on an empty easel. There was something about her I really liked. I don't know, I suppose I admire people who genuinely enjoy their job. I could only hope someday I'd be lucky enough to find something I enjoy, too.