Chapter 14 Most Artistic #2
Ella’s knuckles turn white as she grips her paintbrush.
That was a terrible opener, but it’s true.
Some of winning was just making sure she lost. While I don’t say that part outright, I know she understands.
There’s a certain expectation that comes from a rivalry that started before you were even born.
“But it’s not just that. As you know, my grandma started the trust. My parents have never come out and said what would happen if one of us didn’t get Citrus Scholar because I don’t think the thought of us failing has ever crossed their minds.”
Ella’s body relaxes slightly. She sets the paintbrush down, but she still doesn’t say anything.
“My parents aren’t the warm and fuzzy type.
They put on a show for the public, but I wonder how much of their love is conditional on my performance.
I wonder what will happen to me, to David, if we don’t meet their expectations.
” A drop of paint falls onto the concrete floor.
I use my fingers to clean it up. “I’ve never said that to anyone, not even David.
It’s too embarrassing to think that your parents might not love you. ”
“I won’t say anything,” Ella says.
I look up at her with a sad smile. “I know.”
We sit in silence for a moment before Ella speaks. “I also wanted to win so I could beat you.”
I raise my brows.
“Don’t act surprised. There’s a certain pleasure that comes from seeing you dumbfounded.”
“Wow. That is savage.” I whistle low. “So other than our rivalry and enjoying inflicting pain on me, why do you want it so much?”
“It’s a full ride to college.”
“But you’re smart enough to get a full ride to lots of places. Why do you want to be Citrus Scholar?”
“Because I need to know that I can go anywhere I want.” She rubs her hand over her face, leaving a small smudge of green paint on her cheek.
“I need to get away from my crazy family. From my convict dad and my mom who…” She stops and shakes her head.
“I need to get out of Florida. And I’m afraid that I can’t do that without Citrus Scholar.
I don’t have a safety net, Connor. My mom doesn’t have any money, and I can only save so much from tutoring. ” Her eyes shine with unshed tears.
For the first time, I understand why this scholarship is so important to her. That doesn't mean I can concede, though. I was serious when I said I don't know how my parents will react if I don’t get it. I may end up in a similar situation as Ella, with no safety net.
“I wish we weren’t competing against each other. I hate that one of us winning means the other loses.”
“Yeah, me too.”
This really sucks. I hate that there’s no easy solution.
One of us will not get the scholarship in the end, and the idea of that person being Ella actually hurts.
Before I can count all the reasons why this is a bad idea, I scoot over and take her hand.
Surprisingly, she lets me. Her skin is warm as I give her a reassuring squeeze.
“You’re so smart, Ella. You can get a full-ride to a college in another state. I know it.”
“Thanks.”
“No matter where you end up, they’ll be lucky to have you.”
When she smiles up at me, my heart skips a beat.
I don’t know how I didn’t see it before, but she’s gorgeous.
Her eyes are the same shade as the water at Anna Maria Island—a perfect, clear blue.
The hint of freckles that cover the bridge of her nose like seashells coating the beach after a storm.
And her blond hair, light like the first rays of sunshine that come with sunrise.
It’s pulled back right now, but she always has stubborn pieces that fall loose.
A couple of strands are dangerously close to the green paint that’s still on her cheek.
I lean forward so I can reach her face with my free hand and push the strands back.
Then I use my thumb to wipe the paint away.
Her skin is so soft, and my fingers tingle as they linger on her face. Then she wets her lips.
Ella thinks I’m going to kiss her.
My stomach flips as I realize I want to.
It flips again when I decide I’m going to.
There are a million reasons why this is a terrible idea.
We just got done discussing the biggest reason of all.
I want to do it anyway. From the upward tilt of her chin, I know Ella does, too.
My heart pounds violently against my ribs as I lean in closer.
Her eyelids flutter closed. I hold my breath as I close the last bit of distance between us.
The door flies open, slamming against the wall with a loud clang. “Hey, Ella. Do you have the enchanted rose ready yet?”
We jump apart.
Ella scrambles to her feet and wipes at her pant legs. “The rose. Yeah, it’s, uh… let me go find it.” She disappears behind a long shelf, leaving me alone with the intruder.
Thank goodness it’s David who came looking for the prop and not someone else.
Relief courses through my veins, or maybe it’s adrenaline, because my hands won’t stop shaking.
I don’t even want to imagine what stories would have spread through campus if anyone else caught me almost kissing Ella Adams.
“How’s practice going?” I try to keep my tone light.
“Fine,” he says, his voice filled with suspicion. “I didn’t think you wanted to help with theater.”
“I don’t.” I shove my hands in my pockets. “But Ella needs all the help she can get.”
“Is that what you were doing?” He crosses his arms over his chest. “Helping Ella with set design?”
I motion to the paint cans and brushes. “What else would I be doing?”
He narrows his eyes. “I’m not sure, but I think you should be careful. Someone is going to get hurt.”
“Noted.”
“Found it.” Ella reappears with the rose. She hands it to David, and with one last pointed look at me, he leaves.
“So…” Ella says, rocking back on her heels.
I rub the back of my neck. “Yeah.”
“We should…” Ella hitches a thumb toward the wall.
“Yeah, definitely,” I say.
There’s no easy way to shift back to the moment before David burst through the door.
Even if we could, it would be a terrible idea.
Nothing good would come from kissing Ella Adams. Similar thoughts must be going through her head too because we spend the rest of the afternoon painting the wall with no more close encounters.