Smile

1.
“Sam, I’m going to the new art gallery. I’ll be back.” I called out to my best friend Samuel Hawthorne. He is majoring in Fashion Design so he’s in his room making a dress.

“Kay. Bay afe.” Sam mumbled while holding a needle in his mouth. I grabbed my trench coat and slipped on my boots. I was wearing a white long sleeve blouse with jeans. It was in the middle of January so it was still really cold out.

It was a friday night and there were so much to do out in Chicago. Even though the weather was horrible sometimes I loved walking around town. I stepped outside of the apartment complex and into the nighttime. I caught the metro to the art gallery which was hosting a section of paintings from people that attend Columbia.

I got off the metro, crossed the street to the art gallery and saw that it was almost empty. I figured that it would have there would be more of a crowd inside but in a way I was glad that it was more on the empty side.

“Hey Ara, came to check out the new paintings?” Carrie asked. Carrie worked during the nights at the art gallery.

“Hey Carrie, yea.” I said smiling took my trench coat off and went to go the back area.

I noticed that there was a guy in jeans, black jacket and shoes. It was only him in the back area and as I approached he turned around. I quietly cursed my high heels for making so much noise. When he turned I smiled and he just nodded the whole guy hi thing and turned back to looking at a painting.

Jonathan Toews (pronounced: Toees)
Pick up your phone
This is the Sharp-shooter
And Kaner, Laddy, Burish
Pick your phone.

I couldn’t help but stifle a giggle at his ringtone. Apparently he didn’t know what was really going on until ‘Pick up your phone’ was heard around the room.

“What?” He whispered into his phone.

“I’m at an art gallery and your guy’s ringtone was really loud.” He replied harshly.

“No there are no naked paintings Bruish.” He replied with a roll of his eyes.

“I have to go. bye.” He said hanging up his phone and putting it inside his back pocket.

“Sorry about that. I have some idiot friends” He said turning towards me.

“It’s okay, it was quite funny. You shouldn’t be so harsh on them though.” I said smiling like always. I could never shake a smile from my face.

“I can’t really help being so harsh, its kinda like who I am.” He said shrugging his shoulder.

“Oh, so your a harsh guy to likes art. Nice combination.” I said taking a side step to the next painting on the wall.

“Well I’m not exactly harsh but more towards to the serious side. I’m Jonathan by the way incase you didn’t hear.” Jon said cracking a small smile holding out his hand.

“I’m Arabella.” I said shaking his hand and it was quiet again between us.

“So Arabella, are you from around here?” Jonathan asked taking a step closer to where I was standing.

“Actually I’m from France, but I go to college at Columbia.” I said looking at the painting then over at him.

From there Jon and I talked a lot about different things. I of course congratulated him on making the Canada National Hockey Team in the Olympics. Yet he didn’t want to focus to much on his hockey but more on me. It was a nice change from the guy’s I’ve talked to before. They would just continually brag of the things that they’ve done in life.

We talked about my major which was photography at Columbia. He was surprised that I worked two different jobs, went to school and still managed to attend Hawk games. I told him it was because my two jobs was at the library and at an interior designer company which was family owned. That meant my hours were pretty flexible and made it possible for me to attend games.

“Ara I want to go home!” Carried shouted from the front desk and echoed through out the gallery.

“Ugh fine!” I shouted back with a faint smile playing on my lips.

“I’m guessing that means we have to go right?” Jon asked and nodded my head. As we were walking out I noticed that we didn’t move from where we first stood.

“Bye Carrie.” I said as we passed her and she just waved.

I hailed a cab since catching the metro at this time would be suicide! And as it was pulling up Jon hailed his own cab. Outside was windy and my blonde hair was flying everywhere.

“So can I see you sometime?” Jon asked he opened my cab door for me.

“Sure you can but you have to come find me.” I said smiling up at him.

“How am I supposed to do that?” He asked caught off guard by my early statement.

“I have no idea, but my friend and I made a bet. That the next guy that wanted to see me later would have to come find me. So good Luck Jon.” I said kissed in on the cheek before getting in the cab closing the door.

I had no idea how Jon was going to find me but I secretly hoped he would.