Chapter 3: JACE

“Today is the day!” I thought to myself as I walked the streets of London. I could feel it, something magnificent was about to happen. I sold over 8 paintings this week. Which is huge for someone like me. I grew up not having much, but my father always provided me with everything I wanted and more. Now, I’m making him proud. He passed a year ago, lung cancer. My anger towards that still makes me hurt. If he would have just quit smoking when I begged him to he might still be here.

I make my way to my favorite café and smile at the barista and co-owner of the café. She’s in her early 60s. She has short grey hair, bright blue eyes. She never had kids of her own, but she has 4 dogs and 2 cats. So I guess she has plenty of kids.

“Good morning, Shirley.” I say with smile. She smiles back at hands me my coffee.

“Good morning, Jace. You seem awfully chipper this morning.” She says with a sly smile. “What’s gotten into you today, kiddo?”

“Oh nothing big, just sold my 8th painting this week.” I shrug. Her eyes get huge and her smile even bigger as she shrieks and runs around the counter to hug me.

“Jace, that is wonderful news!” She says. I never met my mother but I imagine she would be just like Shirley. My mother passed while giving birth to me. Shirley helped my father quite a bit while I was growing up, so I guess she was really like my mother. “I’m so proud of you dear.” She says.

“Well Shirley, I hate to dine and dash but I have a feeling something wonderful is going to happen today, and I don’t want to miss it!” I say smiling while walking backwards towards the door. Bumping into someone, I hear the sweetest American voice I’ve ever heard “oh my goodness, I’m sorry!” She says.

“Oh! I’m so sorry, I didn’t see you there.” I say Turing around and peering into beautiful green eyes. Her hair was shoulder length and jet black. She has the most perfect plump pink lips I’d ever seen. Her long eyelashes flutter and she smiles softly at me while ducking her head. A blush creeping on her adorable cheeks. That’s when I realized I’ve been gawking at her like a random creep.

“It’s really okay” she says with a smile “you didn’t even leave a scuff on my shoe.” I look at Shirley who managed to witness my utter embarrassment at how I acted. And she just smiles at me. The beautiful raven haired girl goes to walk away and Shirley makes a ‘go after her’ gesture. I wave my hands awkwardly not knowing what to do. Shirley smacks her forehead with her palm.

The raven haired girl walks to the counter and asks for a small black coffee and I get the greatest idea I’ve ever had. I walk over to the counter and clear my throat. Those beautiful green eyes look at me again and I feel my heart do a little dance in my chest. I momentarily forget what my plan was before Shirley clears her throat bringing me back to the present.

“Hmm, yes. I would like to pay for your coffee, to make up for nearly crushing you” I say with a shy smile. The beautiful raven hair girl looks at me, and smiles with a nod. “I would like that” she says.

Just hearing her voice is like listening to an angel sing. I could hear her talk for the rest of my life. ‘Oh god, what is wrong with me? I don’t even know her name.’ I thought to myself. I pay for her coffee and reach for it to hand it to her. While offering my name in return. “Hello, I’m Jace” I say with a silly smile.

“Hi, Jace. My name is River.” She says while sipping from her coffee, her cheeks getting red. I’ve never seen someone so beautiful before in all of my life. Where did this beautiful girl come from? And how long will she be here?

“River, would you like to join me for a walk?” I ask. Not trying to be weird or forward but I just wanted to get to know her more. I wanted to know everything about her.

“I don’t know” she says fiddling with her cup.

“I promise he’s not always this weird. I think you make him nervous.” Shirley says from behind the counter. I look at her with my mouth agape. My cheeks a hot color of red I’m sure.

“You’re not an axe murderer, right?” River says quietly.

“No!” I say shaking my head.

“See, that’s exactly what an axe murderer would say.” She says back with a twinkle of mischief in her beautiful green eyes. ‘I think I’m in love’ I thought to myself.

“Fine.” I said. She looks at me confused. I smile.

“How about we walk across the street. There is a beautiful fountain over there. We can just sit and chat. And if you get bored you can leave.” I say. Really, really hoping she says yes.

“Okay.” She smiles. And my stomach had instant butterflies. She has the best smile.

We walk to the fountain and sit next to it. I look at the side of her face from the corner of my eye. Wondering how such a beautiful thing could grace this earth.

“I can feel you staring at me. Is there something on my face?” She asks wiping her face with the sleeve of her teal/ green sweater.

I smile and shake my head, “oh no, I just think you’re so beautiful.” I look at the ground suddenly bashful. Why am I acting this way? I’ve never been so shy around anyone in my life. I can’t believe the pull this beautiful girl has on me.

“What is your favorite thing to do around here?” River asks, and I have to think. I could show her my art. She seems like she is an enjoyer of the arts.

“I am an artist” I say, “would you like to see?” I ask her.

“Yes” River says with a smile. “But first, I need to know more about you. How old are you? What’s your middle name? What’s your favorite color?”

“I’m 19, my favorite color is green. And my middle name is Henry.” I say with a smile. “How about yourself?” I ask her.

“I just turned 18 two weeks ago. My middle name is Arabella. And I love the color yellow.”

“Arabella is a beautiful name.” I say. How can this girl get even more beautiful. “How long will you be here River?” I ask while my heart flutters.

“I leave September 5th, I start school at Princeton University on the 17th. I wanted to travel a bit before I get back to school.” She says with a smile. “What are you studying?” I ask.

“I want to be a lawyer. I love helping people.” she says smiling. She sighs and looks out at the street. “Would you still like to show me your art?” She asks. I sit up straighter with excitement running through me. “Yes, I would love to.”

I grab her hand to help her up and we walk to my art studio.

I start getting nervous because I’ve never shown anyone my studio before. What if she doesn’t like my art? What if she does? I’ve never felt so nervous before.

I can’t stop looking at her. She’s stunning. Her beautiful black hair blowing in the breeze and gorgeous green eyes bright. Her fair skin in the sun was so beautiful. She had the cutest nose I’d ever seen. And my hand wrapped in her small one made everything feel right.