Fall in love in a weekwe get by

After a thoughtful tasting, I was whisked into the artist’s studio. I knew his name was Jake and he was eager to draw my portrait.

– Full-length nude? – I asked just in case. He burst out laughing.

– If you want, why not? But I only meant what I said. Portrait. A face in the moonlight against the background of the ocean. In blue tones. Do you know that there is something otherworldly about your face? It's like you came from a completely different world.

“I hope this is not your way of courting girls, because I only agree to a portrait,” I pretended that I had not heard the words about another world.

And there really seemed to be something otherworldly in the portrait. Not me and not a ghost – but as if both me and her at once. ? Blue, it turns out, has so many shades…

“You’re a wonderful artist, Jake,” I said, looking at my Charlotte’s face on the canvas.

It wasn't scary or deathly, it wasn't the face of a ghost. But it seemed to reflect another world. In subtle strokes and pale blue color. Strange, alien, as if illuminated from within. Consisting of thousands of different shades.

And it seemed that this frightening world was about to call the girl from the portrait. Will pick it up. It will absorb and will not release anymore. And against the foggy, barely traced background, almost invisible to the eye, strange dark silhouettes appeared, either mountains with sharp peaks or rocks. And they, too, were frightening.

– I don’t understand… How did you see all this? Did you feel it? You're a fucking genius.

“Empty,” Jake waved it off. – I'm just an artist.

– Yes. You have shown more here than any words could say.

“Thank you, Sally,” he nodded. – Come back tonight, we need to work on the details.

– Today? – I looked at the clock, out the window. The sun was rising over the ocean. – I have to go to work. But… I don't care. There's nothing to worry about, right?

He laughed and kissed me – lightly, almost in a friendly way.

“No need,” I asked. – I have Norwood.

“You talked about him half the night,” Jake said. – The half when I was drunk. Everything will work out, Sally. Don't be afraid of me, I only claim your face in the moonlight, one more night. Although I will be glad if you invite me to the wedding.

“Oh, what a wedding,” I waved my hand and opened the portal.

And she opened her eyes.

I was sitting in a chair, the ordered pizza was waiting on the table next to me, and outside the window it seemed to be deep night.

“Good morning, Sally,” I stood up and stretched. The body is numb, the chair, although comfortable, cannot be compared with a bed. – Go get some sleep like a human being. I'll dream about something like this… in blue tones.

The face of the girl from Jake's portrait, mine and not mine at the same time, was clearly remembered, although I usually don't remember dreams. And for some reason it was scary.

CHAPTER 4. Day four: Friday

The morning was blessed with light autumn rain and a wind too cold for September. No joke, I was pleased – moving through the portal would not allow me to freeze and get wet, but I immediately imagined what yesterday’s swamp adventure would have turned into in such weather. I dug out a more or less decent formal jumper in Charlotte’s closet. A bit bright, but at least not crimson. A pleasant turquoise hue, reminiscent of today’s dream, Sydney Harbor under the bright sun and a “portrait in blue.”

Why is this portrait so attached to me?!

Yesterday's stormy day, evening with beer and sleep in a chair echoed with aching muscles, a sore head and general lethargy. A heavy dose of coffee helped partially, but the brain asked to actively ventilate it in the fresh air. The usual morning runs were missing. I imagined myself jogging through the village with my hair down and my tits hanging out. ? the neighbors look and cannot understand what came over Miss Blair and what kind of fly bit her. The witch is hereditary, completely strange. What difference does it make to me who thinks what? It’s worse that Charlotte’s body is probably not used to the stress, but that doesn’t matter. I'll teach you. And I myself will finally get used to moving normally with these boobs, without losing my balance at every sharp turn. And it really calms the nerves.

maybe we should start right now?

There was something more or less suitable for sports in the closet… but nothing was found. Tight beacons don't count. Of course, there were no sports stores among the scattering of business cards. And it’s time – it’s not dawn, don’t wake up Grisella.

Well, okay. Then today, instead of an energetic jog, take a long walk. Also good. I'll sort out the tracksuit in the evening.

I put on boots and an insulated raincoat, put my shoes in my bag, took an umbrella and went to work on foot. Luckily there was enough time.