nat didn’t know you well, not at all. she’d only seen you during her art classes— someone who sat in the back row and only spoke when spoken to.

a true artist at heart, it seemed, because you seemed to flow alongside your creativity with such ease it almost made nat jealous.

however, when the both of you were partnered up for a project worth 40% of your grade—

well, neither of you spoke to each other. nat had figured she’d be able to do her part independently, and you must’ve assumed that too because you hadn’t said a single word to nat about the assignment at all.

it took about one week for you two to finally meet up at nat’s studio to figure this shit out, because the deadline is tomorrow and neither of you have decided on the medium, technique, or even the subject matter.

“landscapes?” nat suggests, and you shut that down immediately with an expression contorting into one of judgement and annoyance.

alright, fine. nat slumps on her painting stool for a moment.

“self portraits?”

you grimace at that too.

well, nat has run out of ideas. she’s trying her best, damnit! can’t you—

“what if we paint each other?” you say, “it’ll be easy to make up the meaning and context.”

hmm, that’s not a bad idea actually.

thus, nat settles in front of her easel while you set up in front of yours, pencils in hand to begin sketching. there’s only fifteen hours left before the work must be submitted, so maybe.. maybe the art can be completed on time, and the both of you will avoid failing your course.

fifteen hours.. fifteen hours of drawing you. looking at you.

it’s only now that nat realises how pretty you are. the more she stares, the more she sketches.. the more she wants to know more. see more. maybe nat could suggest another painting: one where she can paint you nake—

woah, hold on.

nat coughs audibly, face flushing while she snatches up her assortment of paints to squeeze onto her messy palette.

“i hope your painting makes me look good,” nat tries joking to ease her internal awkward tension, “i always hunch when i paint. you better not include that.”