Page 3 of Off-Limits

“Dorothy Wilmott.”

Forcing myself to look away from him, I awkwardly run a hand down my front, my eyes searching the crowd again before I check the small paintbrush that holds my hair up.

This time when I catch him looking at me, I notice the twinkling in his dark blue eyes as he smiles at me, and I automatically feel self-conscious. It all happens in slow motion. One second, I’m walking and looking at Damon, the next I’m stumbling forward, barely catching myself before my hands find the podium.

A collective gasp followed by laughs echo around me, and my face heats.

How fucking embarrassing.

Righting myself, I see the principal’s lips moving, but I can’t make out a single word. The noises fade out, and I knowI’m on the verge of a panic attack as my vision begins turning spotty and my heart feels like it’s about to jump out of my damn chest.

Arrie is by my side in an instant, snatching whatever the principal has in his hand from him before ushering me off the stage. I risk a glance over my shoulder and lock eyes with Damon again.

Concern is etched on his rugged, handsome face. He moves to stand, but my aunt grabs his arm. I see him look down at her briefly before back to me and Arrie, and then I pass the fuck out.

SIX YEARS LATER

Sitting in my studio,in nothing but my underwear, the sun beams down on my skin through the window while I paint. I’m not happy with it yet, but I never am. Sighing, I wipe the sweat dripping down my forehead. I’ve smeared paint all over my face again. At this point, I’m sure I’m wearing more paint than my canvas. Placing the brush in a jar filled with cleaner, I stand and sit my palette of paints on the table.

Stepping back, my hands rest on my hips as I take in the piece before me. The cherry blossom tree is stunning, the bright pinks blending into darker tones until the entire image alters. I haven’t done the backdrop yet, or even the centrepieceof the artwork, but the pink petals bleed into red, the flowers looking as if they are crying rivers of blood.

Rivulets run down the trunk and pool at the base into what looks like a bath of blood, the tree reflected in it, but if you look closer, you’ll see the monsters that are so clearly trying to hide in plain sight. The entities that speak so fucking loud in my mind.

Huffing, I turn away from the unfinished piece, startled when my phone rings.

It’s Arrie’s ringtone.

“To what do I owe the pleasure, sweet cousin?”

“Are you serious right now, Dottie?”

“What have I forgotten?” I ask, wiping the drying paint from my head.

“Ummm, we’ve been planning this for a month.”

I go silent, racking my brain. That’s when it hits me.

“Fuck,”I groan.

“Fuck indeed.”

“I didn’t travel this entire way for you to raincheck me again, bitch.”

“I know, I know. I lost myself in this new piece…” I trail off, looking over my shoulder at the painting.

“I can’t wait to see it.” Arrie says, and I can hear the smile in her voice.

She’s been my biggest support, not only for following my passion as an artist; but for everything. She is my cousin, my best friend, my anchor. I absentmindedly rub the matching anchor tattoo we have on our forearms.

“Maybe I don’t want to show you yet?” I sass, because there is a part of me that doesn’t want to reveal it to anyone until I am happy with it.

“Ha! Like you have a choice, bitch. I’ll be there in an hour. Get your sweet ass ready, we are going clubbing!”

With that, she hangs up, and I throw myself into the worn sofa with a groan. Resting my head back on the head of the lounge, I close my eyes for a few moments, allowing myself some reprieve before having to deal with… people.Yuck.

Hauling my ass off the lounge, I take one look around my messy studio, which is covered in paint equipment; easels, and furniture covered in old sheets to protect it. I walk to the cherry blossom painting first and move it out of sight and make my way to the bathroom down the hallway to get ready for the night.

Half an hour later, I’m in my bedroom smelling like cherry blossoms and my purple hair messily curled. My violet eyes are lined with black, my lips a deep shade of mauve, and I’m wearing a stylish pair of black short overalls with a white tank underneath. Just as I’m about to grab my chucks, there’s a knock at the door.