Off Day

There was a light tap at the door. Taking a deep breath, Eddus paused his hand momentarily, mid-movement, the pastel between his thumb and forefinger still in contact with the canvas. He exhaled slowly, resuming the motion of his hand and completing the stroke he was making. Inspecting the line to make sure that there was no visible hesitation mark, he then placed the piece of coloured chalk on a small table beside his easel, and then went to the metal studio door, sliding it open.

Outside the door, Stiles flashed him a smile as she donned a dark denim jacket over a white t-shirt and form-fitting jeans.

“Hey, Ed.”

“Hey, back. Are you doing an audition today?”

“Nope, day off,” she said. “I’ve got vocals this afternoon, though. I’m just hanging out until then. We’re going for breakfast, if you’d like to come with.”

“Thank you, but no.” Eddus could see Jay and Mo locking the door to their flat at the other end of the floor. “I’m just finishing a piece. Then, I think I’ll walk for a bit.”

“A new piece?” Stiles’ face brightened, her blue eyes widening. “Did you get a commission? Can I see it?”

Shaking his head, Ed gave her a smile. “Not just now. And it’s not comm work, it’s just something I’m doing... and it’s not done.”

“Oh, come on, Ed! You just said you’re almost finished.” The girl leaned to one side, trying to see past his shoulder. “Please?”

Eddus could not hide his amusement at her interest and slid the door open enough for her to enter. Smiling at him, she turned her body sideways and slipped between he and the doorframe. Turning, Eddus watched as she stepped into the room and looked around.

“Holy fuck, Ed.” Stopping short, Stiles caught sight of his current project and then slowly approached the canvas.

Centered on a dark background, Ed had drawn the detailed side-profile portrait of a young woman, from the shoulders up. The woman depicted was looking forward, her chin slightly raised. The subject of her gaze was not portrayed, but from the way she’d been drawn, it was clear that whatever it was at which she looked was a source of light, illuminating the look of child-like wonder on her face.

Not taking her eyes off of it, Stiles stepped closer to the piece.

“Is this the girl you brought to the pub?”

“Abbi, yes.”

“This is stunning, Ed.” Turning to him, Stiles looked perplexed, “It’s absolutely beautiful. But, why?”

“Why?”

Stiles nodded, again looking at the canvas on the easel.

“Was she not a good subject for the piece?” Eddus smiled, watching Stiles, who shot him a sidelong glance through narrowed eyes.

“This was the reason I met her in the first place,” he told her.

“So you could draw her?” Stiles turned her head with a quizzical look.

“Well, this is how I saw her at your show that night.” Joining her in front of the canvas, Eddus gestured to the drawing. “I had a box seat, and I saw her in the audience watching you guys on stage. I guess I just got inspired.”

“Why were you in a box seat? Aren’t they more expensive?”

“I don’t know,” Eddus admitted. “Different perspective. I come every Wednesday, so I’d seen the show already. And the seat was discounted, with it being a Wednesday. I just wanted to switch things up a bit, I guess.”

“This is amazing. It looks just like her. Did you draw her from memory?”

“Yes.”

“That was six weeks ago, Ed.”

“I started this three weeks ago.”

Stiles glanced at him and rolled her eyes before closing the short distance between herself and the picture in front of her. She studied the detail of the portrait.

Eddus cringed as she lifted her hand and touched the canvas ever so lightly.

“Did she really look at us like that?”

“She did,” Eddus affirmed. “It’s part of the reason I first took notice of her.”

“She looks mesmerized.”

“Yes,” he smiled, recalling how Abbi had admitted never having been to a theatre before, “she really was.”

“I wish that everyone who comes to the show would look at us like that.” Stiles met his gaze. Eddus found himself wishing he could have put Stiles’ expression on paper in some way.

“I don’t,” he chuckled softly.

Stiles’ mouth opened, a hurt look on her face.

“Eddus! That is so mean!”

“I’m sorry,” he told her, “but if everyone watched you like that, I’d have nothing to draw.”