I pulled Beak Boy aside in the lunchroom Friday, the day before spring break, and asked if he still wanted that bird sculpture painted. That might've allowed me to meet up with him a few times over break to work on it. I was going to use him. I had to avoid my dad.
"I'm good, Emery." He clapped me on the shoulder. Luckily my shoulder wasn't where I was injured this time around. "You're a real one, you know that? Looking out for me and all. I appreciate it, man. But Jessy and I are already dating; no need to pretend I can do art, you know?"
I nodded. "Yeah."
"Glad you understand. I mean, life's never been better."
Good for him.
"Alright, let me know if you ever need anything, or whatever."
I found my way back to Azaleah at our lunch table and leaned forward on my elbows, keeping my voice low. "Is there any way you can loan your house to me while you're gone?"
She reached out and put her hand over my own. "I can't."
"Please."
"I would. But—"
"You can't." I nodded. "Got that the first time."
She pursed her lips. "I would if I could, but my mom already paid one of her coworkers to housesit and take care of Bishop while we're gone."
"I could've done that."
"They wouldn't have let you anyway." A stray red hair fell into her eyes as she tilted her head. "They...they still don't know we're dating."
"Will they ever?"
Silence.
"Don't worry about it. Anyway, I think my dad's been watching me. He'd notice if I went missing for a whole week without stopping by once."
Her eyes widened. "What? What makes you think that?"
"He's seen me go to your house. Walk to the café with you. And I think he was fired from his job too. That's how he's noticing: all he does is sit at home and drink. And that's why he wants me to get a job so bad."
"Oh my God."
I shook my head slowly. "I'm ready to move on. To move out. My mom made a college savings for me so I'd be ready the day I got my diploma. On graduation, you and I..." I pictured it: me and AZ applying to the same college, or at least colleges close by so we could be together. I'd attend an art institute. AZ would work towards being a counselor. And we'd be as far from this sad town as possible. "You and I are getting out of here."
One more year. One more year and I'd be free.
* * *
Dad didn't know I'd be on spring break. Hell, he didn't know anything about my life. He didn't care. But he did want to know where I went during the day so he'd rest assured I was making money, pulling my weight. Because once he believed my lie of having a job, he stopped caring. He sat at home and drank all day. I didn't know how we were paying for rent, but he didn't bring up our shortage of money anymore.
I pondered all this while painting at the Late Café the first day of spring break. Teagan allowed me to work on my paintings all day in my usual seat. She didn't ask why.
People came and watched me while I painted. They were all strangers, people who didn't know anything about me. I had no history. I was glorified there. I was the talented painter with blue hair.
I signed my paintings "Blue" to keep myself separate from Emery Cohen, the boy with a broken past, a broken life. At the Late Café, I was the paintbrush that gave color to the world. I left pieces of myself in my artwork. I gave away art that brought smiles and happiness to whoever saw it.
So Spring break wasn't a bust after all. That's when I felt the most alive. Distancing myself from school was the reset button I needed. Art always made me feel better, and I'd never painted more in my life than the fifteen hours a day I spent at the Late Café.
The first night I got home, dad was already out. I went to my room and immediately pulled out my phone. AZ had texted me.
AZ: hey blue ;) hows break so far?
I plopped on my bed and typed: pretty great. I'm famous now. you?
AZ: oh yeah? well im not famous here, and that's a good thing.
Me: parents ignoring you?
AZ: pretty much. Don't mind tho. Wish u were here <3
Me: me too. more specifically, wish u were on this bed w/me.
AZ: pretend im there.
Me: not as satisfying, but ok. and what should I picture u doing?
AZ: um...im kissing u.
Me: im kissing u back.
AZ: and ur sitting against ur bed frame...
Me: im actually on my stomach right now.
AZ: ur against ur bed frame, and im on ur lap.
Me: ...ok. We'll do it ur way. my hands are on ur lower back...
AZ: my hands are in your hair... I start moving my body slowly...
Me: omg
AZ: don't just say omg
Me: I wouldn't in real life
AZ: don't kill the mood
Me: okay so then...I move u to ur back
AZ: okay...
Me: then...wait, r our clothes already off at this point?
AZ: mood killer. Off.
Me: okay. Im kissing u. chest, stomach, moving lower...
AZ: LOL
Me: what?
AZ: no, that's what im doing. Well not really laughing out loud, more of giggling. Its supposed to be cute
Me: through text it isn't
AZ: haha ok. im *giggling* cuz ur lips tickle my stomach. Next?
Me: tell me what u want me to do next... ;)
Bubbles popped up on her screen. I waited. My heart pounded just waiting for her reply. But the ellipsis bubble disappeared.
Me: I turned u on too much, huh? ;)
AZ: phones gonna die.
Me: aw, now?
No reply.
Me: we'll continue later.
No reply.
Me: goodnight beautiful. <3
No reply.
I fell asleep peacefully that night. And while my café "job" kept me at peace all other times, AZ was a bonus. A necessity. She kept me sane.
So when her texts started changing, I couldn't help but lose sleep.
Day 2:
Me: morning beautiful :)
AZ: morning emerald ;)
Me: plans for today?
AZ: family picnic. Updating on our lives.
Me: sounds fun.
AZ: yeah. I'll tell u how it turns out.
That night, she didn't.
Day 3:
Me: how was the picnic?
AZ: ok.
Me: what did u tell them?
AZ: school stuff. Just that Brynn & me aren't talking.
Me: did they ask about us?
AZ: they don't know about us
Me: do they know about me?
AZ: what about u?
Me: the rumors. Fights. Mellos office.
No reply.
Day 4:
Me: roses are red, violets are blue...finish it :)
AZ: don't text me in the mornings anymore, ok? just night
Me: why? Everything ok?
AZ: yeah. Mornings are just busy.
Me: oh. Ok. do u wanna finish the riddle real quick?
When she didn't reply, I added: just want u to know, I love you <3
Day 5:
Nothing.
Day 6:
Nothing.
Day 7:
Me: so happy ur coming back tomorrow. <3
AZ: me too
Me: lets hang out
AZ: not after school. I cant.
Me: oh, ok. at least in school we can
AZ: yeah that's fine
Me: im sure people wont be talking about the past few weeks when we get back, so don't stress about it. plus, I will be w/u.
AZ: thanks
Me: want me to call u
AZ: no
Me: maybe in school if u wanna talk...?
AZ: maybe
Me: my dad just walked in. im turning my lights out and ducking under my covers, but I'll still text u.
AZ: no don't. im about to sleep anyway.
Me: don't! we still need to continue day one's conversation ;)
AZ: goodnight emery.
Me: ...goodnight.