Derrick
Their paintings leaned against the window to dry while Derrick lay on the living room floor, staring at the ceiling. Somehow, Hrida was still there next to him. He snuck a glance over at her while her eyes were closed, laughing at something heβd said. Even with a simple outfit and no makeup, she still looked beautiful, her hair spread out in a dark halo on the carpet. He fumbled for the nearest piece of paper and the paints they still hadnβt put away.
Hrida heard him rustling around and started to sit up, but he placed a gentle hand on her shoulder.
βNo, stay there.β
She rolled her eyes and laid back down, eyes closed, a peaceful smile on her face. Derrick closed his eyes too, afraid that when he opened them, sheβd be gone. She stayed, her presence a kaleidoscope of lavender and yellow and little moments of pink in his head. Even with his eyes closed, his paintbrush kept going.
This might be the best one Iβve ever done.
All he could do for a moment was stare at the paper in his hands. He passed it to Hrida, then stared determinedly at the carpet.
Out of the corner of his eye, he watched her study it, tilting her head back and forth and rotating the paper a few times.
βWhat is it?β
βThatβs you.β Derrick finally dared to meet her eyes. A wrinkle of confusion creased her forehead. He stood up, crossing the room to the paintings hung behind the couch.
βAll of these are people. In my mind, I see them as colors. Each emotion has a color.β As he explained, he pointed to one painting, then another. βSee? Black is anger, yellow is happiness, green is envy, purple is calm.β
He came back to her and pointed to the painting in her hands. She looked at it for a moment longer, then at him.
βSo you can see what people are feeling?β
βNothing too detailed, but yes.β The words rushed out of him, leaving him feeling suddenly lighter. Hrida was the first person heβd told about his ability. Most people assumed he was intuitive, which came close enough to the truth.
βYou can see what Iβm feeling right now?β He heard fear creeping into her voice and closed his eyes.
βHappy, but a little nervous.β He watched the wisp of light blue chase its tail around the cloud of yellow. Other colors rose to the surface and disappeared faster than he could notice them.
βThatβs about right.β Hrida crossed her arms over her stomach and moved to look out the window. She looked like she wanted to fold in on herself.
βHey,β he said softly, joining her at the window. βI canβt see every little detail.β
βI know.β She turned and studied his face for a long moment. The weight of her attention made him reach up to fidget with the folds of his sweater. βI trust you.β
The storm brewing in Derrickβs mind calmed as he let her words sink in. Outside the window, clouds drifted past, changing as they traveled. The words slipped out before Derrick could stop himself.
βYouβre my favorite color.β
βYouβre my favorite color too.β Hrida stood on tiptoe and kissed him on the cheek. Derrick put his arm around her and pulled her close. If heβd closed his eyes, he wouldβve seen both of them glowing lemon and tangerine and rose, brighter than any sunset.
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