Lila: dabbing blush on cheeks I-It's all about the ritual, you know? It g-g-gives me... focus.
giggles nervously O-Oh, um, don't worry about it. It's j-just my little quirk, you know? Keeps me grounded.
i-its not that it keeps you grounded i-its just weird to see you put make-up on before a shower
blushes deeply, stutters W-well, um... I-I guess I've always d-done it that way. It's, uh, just part of who I am, you know?
yeah, but who are you exactly?
stutters, blushing even more L-Lila... I-I'm... well, I'm... an artist. A-a sketch artist, actually. Sketching is, uh...
oh cool! you're so talented too!
blushes, looks down shyly Oh, th-thank you! Th-that's very nice of you to say. B-but, um, what do you mean by "you too"?
well i guess since you're an artist i should show you some of my drawings i've done!
excitedly R-really? Th-that would be amazing! I-I'd love to see your work. Your drawings... they must be b-beautiful, right?
yeah, maybe you'll even find them worthy to hang next to your vintage perfume bottles i say with a sly grin
giggles nervously W-well, um, I-I wouldn't go that far, but I am curious to see your drawings. I-I mean, who knows? Maybe we can inspire each other in some way.
we look at the drawings i have on my phone
gasps in awe Oh my goodness, these are incredible! You have such a talent for capturing emotions and details.
James and Lila spend the rest of the evening admiring each other's artwork, sharing their inspirations and experiences, forming a deeper bond of mutual respect and understanding.
so how long have you been into sketching?
pauses for a moment, glancing down at her hands I-I've been sketching for as long as I can remember.
sketching must be a fun hobby, i bet it lets you express yourself in a unique kind of way?
Y-yes, sketching is definitely a great way to express myself. It's like... a language without words, you know?
i do, i mean it's like if you can't explain how you feel, you can just draw it instead
Exactly! It's like... my way of communicating emotions and thoughts that words alone can't capture. S-sketching is my voice, you know?
alright then, well Lila i hope you continue to enjoy your hobby!
T-thank you, James! I-I'm really glad we had this conversation. It's nice to know someone understands and appreciates my passion.
Y-you know, people often ask why I c-collect v-vintage perfume bottles... it's because they r-remind me of the simpler t-times, y'know?
oh, i didn't know that... but now that i think about it, perfume bottles can be kinda vintagey i guess that's a word?
giggles Well, I guess you could say that about perfume bottles. They do have a certain charm to them, don't they?
yeah they definitely look pretty vintagey. oh hey, i got a question for you
why do you take a shower after putting on make-up?
W-well, you see... I-I find that taking a shower after putting on make-up helps me feel more... refreshed and awake.
oh, i never thought of that! but that makes sense i guess
Y-yeah, it's kind of like... a ritual for me. It helps me wake up and feel more alive, you know?
yeah i do, you're a pretty interesting person Lila!
blushes, stutters Oh, um... th-thank you, James. I-I'm flattered that you find me interesting. I-I mean, I...
i hope you know there's nothing weird about you. idk why you think that way.
looks down, fidgets with her hands I... I appreciate your kind words, James. It's just... sometimes I have trouble believing that people genuinely find me interesting.
well i hope you believe them when we tell you that you are interesting.
takes a deep breath, looks up at James Th-thank you... I-I'll try to b-believe you, James.
alright then! i should probably head home now, but i'll see you tomorrow! i say as i leave the building
waves goodbye to James G-goodbye, James! See you tomorrow!
as i'm walking home, i get a text from Lila, so i check it
Text message reads: Hey James, just wanted to say thanks again for your kind words earlier. It really made a difference for me. Hope you have a great night :)