Heart Of Ice

Chapter 7

Samika's POV

I fall on the bed with a smile on my face. The day is good so far. I had Chinese food. My best friend is now an arts teacher. Matt and I are willing to start as friends. My parents actually care enough to think of what I want to do next.

I told those business organizers that I will let them know what I plan on, once I get a clarity. Dad and mom didn't stay for dinner but that's just how they are. I even wonder how they were able to at least make some time for me.

My phone buzzes with a text and I unlock it to see who it is. I see Nyle's name on the notification bar and I smile as I open it.

Nyle : Do I have to wait for the next full moon to see you?

It's just been a day, silly! I read it and put it aside. It's not because I am playing hard to get, I simply don't know what to text back. I am not that close enough to see him frequently. He is not even a total stranger for me to shun him or block him. So I let it be.

I look at the half painted snowboarder and the mountain and get everything ready. I am in the mood to finish this tonight.

As I paint that, I weigh the pros and cons of starting my own business. I am not enough for sure, but I at least have my parents supporting me. They can advise me and they will, if I choose to become a business tycoon like them. My mom was not so big into business but once she fell in love with my dad, his ambitions were hers. Now I have two parents whose world is business.

If I plan on art school, not just my parents but I'll have Olive with me as well. Because starting a business takes time and Olive will gain experience meanwhile. I can survive and learn with her help. If Matt and I are on good terms, maybe he will join us too.

By the time I am done with the painting, it's past midnight. And by the time I am done painting the mountain, I am certain with my decision of starting an art school too. I wonder what must be running on an artist's mind based on their art, is half because of my own mind state as I paint. If I am in a dilemma, I start painting and come to a conclusion by the end of it.

I smile at my finished painting and sit on the floor for a while, admiring it. I didn't have Shaun White on my mind while I started painting that.. but now that I see it, it looks like him. Maybe I'll give this to him if I ever meet him.

I take a shower to get rid of the paint stains and yes, sometimes when my mind is messy I am a messy painter. I text my dad that I am ready with a decision before I go to sleep.

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By the time I woke up, it's 8 am and the first thing I checked was my phone. Let's be honest guys, that's what we do.

There is a text from my dad saying he would talk to me about it in person. And then Olive says it's her first day and she is nervous. I quickly text her back that she will do good and that I am cheering for her. I am even surprised to see Matt's text as well. He asked if I am free for lunch and I agreed.

I take a shower, have some breakfast and use the time until lunch to organize my stationery after yesterday night's messy painting. When it's time for lunch, I eventually get ready. I throw on a yellow tee shirt with flowers that says bloom and paired it with black jeans. I put my blonde hair up in a messy bun and grab my coach bag.

I text Matt that I want to eat at McDonald's nearby Olive's school so we can pick her up after our lunch and we agree on it.

I am the first one to arrive and I take a seat at one of the empty tables. The place is eerily empty now that everyone is preferring drive thru. I am not a fan of it because I am sure I am just going to mess my car up with the spilled food.

I casually scroll through i********: until I hear Nyle's voice.

"With your phone in your hand and my text being sent last night, I take it that you are ignoring me"

I smile at him and shake my head, then tilt my head asking him to have a seat with me.

"With my phone in my hand and your text being sent last night, I just didn't know if meeting you for another time would have much more interesting factor than fireflies" I say and notice his smile giving him wrinkles at the corner of his eyes. It's not the aging wrinkles but by default kind. I don't say it's cute but it looks good on him.

"So I will go on a hunt again for another wonder like that and only then will I be granted your visit?" He asks while I just shrug.

Just then, the music stops playing and there is an important announcement via radio. I did not know this was a thing but I think this must be that important for them to do so.

Apparently, there is a wild wolf on loose and it killed three of the patrolling cops yesterday night. It is advised not to go anywhere near woods, especially at night.

My mind instantly throws me pictures of the night. The encounter with the wolf. The wolf is definitely larger than an average wolf and maybe that is because it is a wild wolf.

Once the announcement is done, I look at Nyle again and he has his fists tightly clenched. But there is a slight shiver. I don't know if it's because he is mad or afraid or whatever.

"Nyle?" I call him and he finally looks at me as if he is out of trance.

His eye color flickers just for a second and he quickly puts on his goggles before standing up and leaving.

Did I just see that again?