“This is the most excitement I've ever had at an art walk.”
We laughed; however, the comment was totally true.
“I can't believe you charged him $300 for that drawing after what you said to me!”
“He was an exception, and he deserved it.”
It turned out that the day was a pretty profitable one, after all.
When I arrived home from the art walk, I put my money in a jar, excited that I had made so much, and giddy that I had pulled one over on Jet. I thought about what I was going to spend my newfound wealth on as I stripped down in my bedroom. I walked into the bathroom and turned on the shower, the hotter the better. I desperately needed to relax, and a hot shower always eased my aches and pains.
Before leaving the art walk, I had sent a message to Jet about meeting that night so I could start on my project as soon as possible. I was a little on edge about the whole thing. I couldn't even believe I had agreed to meet with him, and I hoped the evening wasn't going to turn into a disaster. I didn't need the stress, especially since I would be back to square one with my changing objects project.
I quickly brushed out my hair. The stream coming from the shower drew me in, and as I stepped into the hot water, my anxiety seemed to melt away instantly. The shower had been exactly what I needed. I had absolutely no reason to be nervous. This wasn't a date with a new guy I was interested in. All we were doing was meeting so that I could complete my project. It was nothing. I would survive this meeting unscathed, and maybe even have a story to tell my friends. They would love to hear how some hot guy on campus posed for me. It would be the highlight of most of their years, including mine.
I was just about done with my shower when I heard a door slam. It must have been Julie coming into the apartment. I turned the taps off before getting out to dry myself off. By the time I got out and dressed, I felt much better about the whole situation.
I headed out of the bathroom to see Julie, who was in the kitchen pouring herself a glass of wine.
“I'll have one of those.”
Julie grabbed another glass out of the cupboard, and poured me a glass as well.
“How was the art walk?”
“Fabulous. A hilarious thing happened today. Jet showed up and bought one of my drawings for $300.”
Julie looked confused. “Jet? Jet from school?”
I rolled my eyes. “Of course. How many Jets do you know?”
“Why was he in your tent, or at the art walk, for that matter? I wasn't even there.”
“Well, he's been stalking me relentlessly for the past few days.”
“Seriously? You have seen him since the night at the bar? Why didn't you tell me?”
“I don't know. I didn't think it was important.”
“Are you new to gossip? This is incredible news. So $300, right? Wow, you really took the guy for everything.”
“He got everything he deserved,” I laughed. “I guarantee that drawing is in a trash can somewhere. The guy is clearly just trying to get in my pants.”
“I don't know, Natalie, that's a lot of money to spend on a girl who he hasn't even gone on a date with. He may actually be really into you.”
“That's ridiculous. But speaking of dates, I am actually seeing him tonight.”
“You are going on a date with Jet? Oh, this is so rich.”
“It's not a date.”
“Then what is it?”
“He offered to help me with my changing objects project, so we are meeting for that reason, and that reason alone.”
“Oh my God, this is hilarious. Just days ago you were ripping this guy apart in a bar. You didn't even know who he was, and you told him you couldn't care les
s about him. Now you guys are going out on a date? How funny is this?”