They loved my portfolio. I ended up submitted twelve pieces mixed with oil paintings, acrylic pours, and sketches...including the dark anatomy of Andrew which has to be named before the showing. I was beside myself, absolutely hysterical to be showing off my work to the public for the first time. Thoughts of taking photos of the café ones and posting pictures of past paintings crossed my mind but I tossed them aside. Whatever I was showing here was going to be raw and in person.

Something pulled at me though, a worry of judgment. Not for my paintings in general but moreover who was in them. Evelyn and Elena already had their fun picking at me on the balcony and I'm sure Keiko already got her to fill as well. She and my roommates have become quite close and have formed their own little coven. Keiko has even taken her place as the Air sign in the healing circle, that left only one open spot left.

Getting off track again, trailing thoughts are proof of my anticipating stress...where was I? Glancing at my used paintbrushes in a cup I sighed, remembering my original train of thought. Andrew, he nor Riley have really seen my latest ones, and even though I painted many remnants of my friends but Andrew took the lead in numbers. Going through my sketchbooks and photos I realized how serious it was. I feel like these things should be locked in a safe somewhere and thrown into the ocean.

I have come to the face the fact that he was my muse, but did that mean I had feelings for him... or even loved him? I scoffed as I got dressed and stood in front of my mirror. Love, such a tainted word. I didn't know squat about love, let alone what it was supposed to feel like coming from another person. The only feelings I've felt were the ones that my mind created and those only led to heartbreak. First my with mother, my arrogant asshole of a father... then Beckett and Jasmine.

What if Andrew was the same?

There was a knock on my door and Evelyn welcomed herself inside holding a black tray in her hands. Three pleasantly fixed drinks in purple transparent cups rested in the center, each treat topped with whipped cream and spices.

"Celebration lattes."

"You made Lattes?" I asked.

"A new machine I purchased finally arrived," Evelyn explained, "I thought creating my very first pumpkin spice lattes would be acceptable."

"Thank you," I said taking a cup.

"My costume came in as well," she added. "Are we still keeping it secret?"

"Yes, I'll have to be there ahead of time to confirm the setup." I took my hand and brushed her shoulder like she always did when she was trying to be comforting. "I'm flattered that you want to be there, but if anything happens or if it becomes too much and you don't show I will completely understand."

"It is at night after all," Evelyn assured. "Although I'm not good with crowds I want to be there to showcase my roommates art...or threaten haters otherwise."

"Well, just know it's all appreciated."

My costume had yet to arrive, but I still had a whole week to go so I'm wasn't worried just yet. As far as I knew everyone that I invited was coming, including Jasmine and Beckett. That scared me a little but I want to put the hard past behind us and restart our friendship. I have more than accepted her choices, in return, I could only hope she will do the same. In fact... I was actually getting dressed to visit her that night.

We talked and chat online for over three hours the prior night and it was one of the best conversations I've ever had. Sure it wasn't in person but there was no anger, no spite, or tension. No mentions of Andrew or Beckett or drama, we were just girls again. It brought back good high school memories of the three of us sitting on the rooftop in our PJs. Eating popsicles and talking about absolute nonsense that didn't revolve around boys or homework or more importantly the future.

I missed that.

Standing in front of her door, perhaps I could have another one of those moments with her and mend that bond torn between two friends. It felt so weird actually, going upstairs instead of down the hall to Andrew, who I'm sure was already asleep of watching porn this time of night. Which wasn't too late but the sun had retired over the city for the day.

A soft yet violent hum of music could be heard echoing faintly down the hall. It was the same dramatic tune I heard on my way into the building, but it was louder then. I remember shaking my head as I got off the bus, the source was from the building next to the complex upon like the fourth floor. Some real noisy headbanger that group was. I was surprised the police weren't called.

Taking a breath I focused on why I was here and knocked on her door once...twice...three times. I received no answer. Perhaps I waited too late, but she was usually home by this time with Elizabeth tucked in for the night. It would have been the perfect time for small talk and to give her one of Evelyn's lattes before it got too cold. I did play it safe and text her before I left, she said she was home but wasn't sure about that being official. Maybe she went to her mother's place, Elizabeth loved her grandmother.

Pulling out my phone I sent her a good-sized text to make sure and within a matter of seconds. "I'm not home right now. I'll see you at the party."

Fair enough, shame on me for considering a visit otherwise. I forgot how Jasmine was, and that definitely wasn't a creature of habit like me. Nope, her routine flipped around about the capacity of a light switch. Always changing plans at the drop of a hat. I hated that, not the plan changing but not knowing or given a chance to prepare to drive me crazy. However, when one door refused to open...perhaps another one will.

I tried not to act too happy as I skipped down two flights of stairs and down the hall to Andrew's place. Practically spilling the latte on the way and knocking with my own happy tune against the metal of his door. Surprisingly, he too was quiet. Which was unlike him considering I was the only company he got and practically jumped at the door on my first knock.

Clearing my throat I tried again, this time a little harder. No answer.

"Well, this day just sucks." I pout as I turned to leave.

Halfway down the hall, I stopped, groaning as I stared down at my sneakers in boredom. If I left now I would catch the early bus home, but if I lingered I'd have to wait a whole hour and a half for the next one. Taking three more steps something stopped me again and I wanted to cuss.

Yet I couldn't get myself to leave. Something told me to get into the apartment...not matter what. My excitement was quickly converting into fear as my mind conjured up ridiculous thoughts. I returned to his door and began to beat on it more frantically. Absolute silence.

"Fuck this." I hissed as I panicked and pulled that same end table in front of his door and climbed on top of it. No surprise. Still short.

Reaching up I smack the window and watched it flap open. Satisfied and fueled my adrenaline with my scary thoughts, I grabbed the edge of that damn window and pulled myself up. My sneakers once again failed to hold me and slid down the frame of the door. I growled and kicked them off, using my bare feet as cushioned weapons of mass destruction. Constantly wishing I had been bitten by a red and blue radioactive spider. I used to climb trees for crying out loud, a simple door frame should be nothing.

Beating, scratching, and cutting...I seemed to be hurting myself than the door but alas, I climbed into the bitch like I was being chased by zombies. Remembering the height I didn't hesitate to give myself time to overthink things... I just went for it. Landing on the hardwood floor on the other side reminded me otherwise. Success hurt like a motherfucker, and victory knocked the breath out of me.

"No time for pain," I groaned peeling myself off the floor like an old sticker. Ignoring the cut on my elbow I looked around to find his apartment rather dark, all except for the light above his stove. "Andrew? You home?"

His bed was empty and left unmade, but the leather jacket hanging over the couch next to his favorite camera. Two things he never left the house without. I had every right to panic. Literally only having one room to walk into, I rushed into the dark bathroom to flip the switch. Nothing.

The bulb had blown but I could see Andrew's forearm hanging loosely out of the tub and I nearly screamed. "Andrew!"

I found him shaking and halfway submerged in water, his arm that was hanging over the side kept his chin above the surface. He was awake but showing clear signs of PTSD.

"I'm fine," he said, barely even a whisper as his bottom lip quivered.

"You are far from fine," I declared leaning over the tub to pull him further above the water. "Shit Andrew this water is freezing! How long have you been in here?"

"Lost count."

"What triggered you?"

Taking action I reached down into the water and pulled the plug, having a clean towel ready to cover him once it drained. Once over his waist, I tried to pull him in a seating position, I almost had him there when the erratic sounds of metal echoed above us. Andrew jolted, falling back into the tub and covering his ears.

"This happens often?" I pointed upwards.

"Once every so often." Andrew groaned, "The guys a fourth class rock star, first-class fuck up!"

Andrew was getting more pissed off by the minute. I ran back into the living room to where his motorcycle was and snatched up the headphones. Getting back to the bathroom I pushed them over his ears as he continued to shake.

"Try to get yourself out of the tub okay?" I instructed, "I'm going to go see if I can get him to turn it down."

Andrew looked at me confused and shook his head. Oh good, the headphones did work. "Stay here." I smiled giving him the thumbs up.

Uh-oh. Our little somebody is feeling things. Enough to successfully jump through a window by herself.