Clemence tried to focus on his workbook, but his eyes kept drifting to Eloise.
She wore a serious expression as she looked at the canvas. Every movement of her brush felt delicate, and even when she glanced at Clemence, she never seemed distracted and maintained the same expression. Yet no matter how composed she appeared, Clemence could still sense a quiet happiness in her. Though subtle, it was clear in the way her gaze traced every detail, and in the soft sparkle that shimmered in her eyes. This was the third time he had seen her like this, and once again, he found himself completely mesmerized.
*Is this what passion looks like?* he wondered, captivated by Eloise's movements.
"Um… if you don't mind me asking, you seem really serious about art," he said, setting his pen down and turning towards her. "So I was wondering… are you planning to pursue this as a career?" he asked, genuinely curious.
"No," Eloise replied firmly, her voice filled with certainty.
"I see…" Clemence sensed the awkward silence beginning to settle between them, but Eloise spoke again before it could take hold.
"I love painting. I'm passionate about it." Her eyes remained on the canvas, her brush steady as she spoke. "But it's just a hobby. It's only enjoyable when I do it, when I feel like it."
She paused, then turned her head to look at Clemence.
"If I made it my job, I might end up hating it one day." She met his gaze with a calm, unwavering expression. "There's no point in chasing something if doing so ends up destroying the very passion that drives it."
Her words carried a bitter truth, but the way she spoke them was so composed that they felt like an undeniable fact.
"...and that's what scares me the most," her voice lowered as she spoke.
Clemence was surprised as it felt like a small part of her composure had cracked in that moment.
"Anyway," she said with a faint shrug, "if it became a career, I'd be painting for others. But I paint for myself. In fact, I like painting myself the most."
She said it casually, but Clemence couldn't shake her earlier words.
After a while Clemence tried to speak out his thoughts
"It's weird…" He swallowed. "The more I get to know you, the cooler you are."
That made Eloise's lips twitch into a small smile.
"What's weird about that?" she asked.
"It's unfair that you're beautiful and cool at the same time, you know," he said, half-complaining, half-awed.
"Even when you're talking about your fears, you still make it seem... cool." He crossed his arms as if in deep thought, then looked down slightly, a softer expression taking over. "But, uh... it doesn't hurt to show your vulnerability sometimes. I mean—you're already beautiful, so your flaws will probably be overshadowed anyway."
*Wait. Was that weird ?* Panic flashed in Clemence's mind. *Did that sound wrong?*
"What I meant was—" He coughed, trying to cover his flustered tone. "No matter what side of you I see, I'll always find you beautiful. I-I mean, not just me! Other people too! Probably. Definitely."
He buried his face in his hands for a second, then peeked out sheepishly.
"But even so… I think your honest side is the best. I-I think."
Clemence felt his face burn. He expected Eloise to tease him again, but when he met her eyes, she said nothing.
Only a smile.
A bright one.
Her eyes were half-lidded, soft with something he couldn't quite name, and a genuine smile crept across her lips. There was no mockery, just warmth.
Clemence froze. He stared at her for too long, clearly caught in the moment. He didn't know what kind of face he was making, and honestly, it didn't matter. All he could think about was Eloise's expression.
At that moment, that radiant smile. He wanted to capture it— like a painting.
Eloise noticed Clemence's blank expression.
"You seem out of it," she said casually.
Clemence flinched, snapping back to reality. Flustered, he blurted out the thought still echoing in his head.
"Painting—I mean, paint! Can I paint you?"
He wasn't in his right mind. The words escaped before he could think, and a rush of embarrassment swept over him.
Eloise chuckled, catching him off guard again.
"What's with that?" she teased. "Oh right, those were the first words I said to you. Are you trying to pay me back?"
Clemence blinked.
(Flashback – Chapter 2)
"Hey. Can I paint you?"
The first time she spoke to him, completely out of the blue. No introduction, no warning—just that.
He had thought she was joking. But she wasn't.
(End flashback)
Realizing it, Clemence stiffened for a moment, the memory hitting him with sudden clarity. He quickly tried to brush it off.
"Kind of? I guess you could say that..." Clemence mumbled, too embarrassed to admit he just wanted to capture the smile she'd shown him.
"I see. Then how about tomorrow? We don't have much time left today." She checked her watch.
"That's fine by me—Anytime is fine." Clemence nodded quickly.
In those moments, Clemence couldn't help but feel that they were gradually getting closer. That thought made him inexplicably happy.
*At first, she gave off mysterious vibes, but when you ask her something about herself, she answers without hesitation...cool,* he thought silently, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips.
It made him look forward to spending more time with her again.