watercolors;

"the purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off our souls" -Pablo Picasso Clara Rosalind – 25 – Aspiring artist [Blog is under construction]

[lukestew-archive-blog]

   pet names coming from his lips were about as common as the they come. something he picked up in college. using pet names freely and casually. he never meant much of it, and if he did, he’d be sure that it was obvious.     his eyebrows furrowed for a moment, looking at the glass in his hand.     “ isn’t painting proven to be therapeutic or some shit ?? doesn’t that help with your stresses ? “

[clararosalinds-blog]

She hummed as her mind began to wander in thought, shrugging her shoulders before letting out a small sigh.

“Yeah I suppose so– I never really get to enjoy it though as much as I want to.” She felt her neck getting hot in which she grabbed her hair to pull it back into a small ponytail; it always got stuffy in here and she hated it. “With college and this job.. takes up time.”

[jenna-sayland]

“Go ahead and complain all you want, girl,” she reassured her shaking her head. “Men are such douchebags sometimes.”

[clararosalinds-blog]

“You’re telling me.” She chimed in as if to preach the other women’s words.. God she could go for a cold drink right now. But her shift wasn’t over yet. “Can I get you anything? Another drink?”

[arifilter-blog]

her smile was soft, like his aunt’s, isa. it was the kind that made a person want to dig their hands into soil, to nurture, to grow. the smile aristotle offered in return was something that still needed time to bloom. his hands slid across the counter, curling around it’s edges. he didn’t tell this woman he wouldn’t get hurt, aristotle didn’t like to lie. 

“ if you make it soda, ” he said, a bluebell caught behind his rib. ari didn’t want to get this woman in trouble for giving alcohol to someone underage. although, normally he wouldn’t care. “ i suppose it’d be a bit too optimistic to ask if you made floats here, wouldn’t it ? ”

[clararosalinds-blog]

Hearing his special request, Clara couldn’t help but giggle– Somehow she found it adorable and couldn’t contain her own laughter. Biting down on her lip in thought, she opened her mouth a bit but no words came.

“Well, I can see what I can do– Even if its not on the menu, but for you honey.” She paused and flashed him a genuine smile. “You got it.” It was with that said she left him behind to go into the back. How on earth was she going to get ice cream here?

[noahtarik-blog]

He had never been good with alcohol and when it came to work he rather think with a straight head. Noah looked up at her when she popped the question and just tried to smile. 

“Noah. Your name is Clara,” he pointed at her name tag. “You have a bit of an accent. Where are you from?” It took him a moment to realize what he just said, before he quickly added. “I’m not.. I’m not hitting on you.”

[clararosalinds-blog]

Noah, it suited him. “Yup, thats me.” She flashed him a smile that was genuine before proceeding to go back to work. “Ireland–” It wasn’t until the other had added onto his words, she couldn’t help but giggle; He was cute.

“Don’t worry, hun– I’m not either.” She winks at him before tending to the other customers who were seated at the counter; refilling their drinks or taking their orders on the way.

[mitchstyebeck-blog]

@clararosalinds

Well, this wasn’t something he would usually do, but seeing as the girl actually agreed to meet him for a dinner, he might as well take the chance and see where it would lead. Mitch was already at the restaurant and waiting at the table. He had messaged her the address and prayed he wasn’t going to be stood up. At least he had her address, if she did. Mitch had ordered a bottle of white wine in a bucket of ice and a starter to be ready by the minute she came in. All he needed now was for her to show up. But of course… she was late.

“Women..”

[clararosalinds-blog]

Ugh she was running late. Of course her job wouldn’t let her get out early and she had to wait for the other customers to finish up and leave. But it was when they finally left, Clara had rushed home to get changed, do her hair, and leave. She had left the transit quick as she could, making sure to watch her step as she saw the lights from the restaurant from across the street. This had to be the place.

Taking a deep breath, she made quick long strides there to the entrance where a group of people stood outside waiting to be seated. Pushing open the door, she was greeted by one of the staff, she pursed her lips looking around the area once then twice but there was no sign of Mitch.

“Reservation? It might be under his name.. Mitch.” The waitress looked over their clipboard before nodding genuinely only to lead the way there. Pursing her lips, she followed passing through the aisles of tables and people until she saw a man who had been sitting by his lonesome at the table with an unopened bottle of wine. It was him.

She smiled only to approach the table. “This seat taken?” She pushed her hair behind her ear.

[lukestew-archive-blog]

            “ everyone makes stuff with their hands. “    he rolls his eyes, sipping his drink as he watches her move.    “ what makes your’s so special, cupcake ? “     luke makes things with his hands every day for work. so does the rest of the world. he doesn’t understand what she’s trying to make across, but by the sounds of it, it’s very lame.

[clararosalinds-blog]

He was really going with the nicknames huh? However it didn’t really bother her as much as it did with the other men. When he happened to pop the question she shrugs her shoulders.

“Well, I wouldn’t use special–” She never did find what she had special. But she wanted to make something out of it cause it was something she loved to do. “But painting. I do a little freelance work here and there.”

[lovieevans]

“I never worked as a waitress but definitely feel your pain when it comes to men… You either learn to ignore it or you need to find a new job…” 

[clararosalinds-blog]

“Getting there– It’s not as easy to ignore them but I’ll take your word for it”

[noahtarik-blog]

Poor girl. She was probably working herself to death here. Noah wasn’t going to say anything else. It was her choice in the end. “Oh, no. I don’t drink… unless you got water.” He adjusted his laptop a bit. “I’m just working.”

[clararosalinds-blog]

As much as she was tired of this job... She had to learn to live with it. Until then it was enough to put her in a good spot. She was able to pay for rent and put food on the table too. “Water?” Clara cocked a brow and found his choice interesting but didn’t argue. She grabbed a glass, filling it with fresh water from a pitcher before serving it to him.

“That’s the first. Got a name hun?” 

[noahtarik-blog]

“I’m sorry.. I don’t know how to help, but maybe you should look for a new job or something.”

[clararosalinds-blog]

“Oh hun.. I wish.” Clara shook her head while taking a deep breath. “Hard to find a job here when you just moved into the states.” She looked at him again before smiling. “But I will consider it, so thank you. Do you want anything drink?”

[leightonbelmonte-blog]

“No no, don’t apologise at all,” Leighton smiled at the woman sweetly. “Not that I’ve experienced it myself, but I can just imagine how frustrating it must be for you.”

[clararosalinds-blog]

“Definitely.. I was about to throw a drink in this man’s face but can’t risk losing my job.” She sighed heavily but tried to smile.·“Kind of wish I did though.”

[mitchstyebeck-blog]

It took him by surprise when she decided to take his offer. It was somewhat his way of apologizing for being a little rude. Without saying much he stood back and smiled at her once more.

“Great. Already got your number from your number plate registration. I’ll see you there tonight.” Mitch had eye contact with her for another second before leaving the area. This could turn out fun.

[clararosalinds-blog]

God, what had she gotten herself into? Agreeing on a date with a cop. A. Cop. Yet she felt so allured to agree to his proposal, and there was no way of getting out of it.

But just after he flashed her that same killer smile, her heart skipped a beat once more. She was already wrapped around his finger at this point, how dare he..

“Mm good I won’t be late.” She mused but before she could put her hand on the switch to pull her window up she gave a suggestive smile. “See tonight, officer.” It was with that said she rolled up her window again, putting the car in ignition before flashing one last glance at the office before driving off only to think of the same question she asked herself; What has she gotten herself into?

[arifilter-blog]

“ they should’na done that, ” aristotle said, as if words were enough to undo the damage here. he’d heard too many woman in his life make the same laugh; his aunt, when her boss had dangled her paycheck over her head like some twisted cat toy. his mother. annika. grace. he’d lower his fists the day men stopped raising them. 

“ look, next time it happens— ” there’d always be a next time, “— give them this number. i’ll take care of it. ”

[clararosalinds-blog]

She could heat the hint of protectiveness in the man’s voice which sort of worried her. While she didn’t mind having someone protect her.. she didn’t want nobody to get hurt for her sake. During their conversation however she looked at him once again, having no idea how to thank him.. Perhaps it was just her luck she ran into the guy but she was grateful. 

“Oh–” Clara took the slip of paper before flashing him a kind smile. “Thank you– but I don’t want you to get hurt for me.” Her voice lowered into a soft and quiet one unsure on how to thank him properly. “Want a drink?” She tried to change the subject. “It’ll be on the house.”

[connormoorexx]

“ Uh I’m sorry I just asked for a pen, but I see your busy.” 

[clararosalinds-blog]

“Oh, no, no.. It’s alright.” She frantically searched the pockets of her apron before handing him a pen. “Here, sorry about that.”

[lukestew-archive-blog]

          of course it’s difficult when it frequently happens. luke could only imagine himself, but he wasn’t unfamiliar with women’s daily struggles. his ex girlfriend told him often of the things she’d encounter in her day.   it was unfortunate.     “ you just happen to be in an unfortunate line of work where it happens frequently. “     he huffs, sipping from his cup again.    “ thank you. “    and he takes aother sip, trying to savor the taste of a free drink.     “ why don’t you— i don’t know, work out ?   let out that stress so it’s not stewing in you to boil over some day. “

[clararosalinds-blog]

Clara shrugged her shoulders– however thinking about it, it wasn’t much of a bad idea. She hummed in thought taking some of the previous customers empty glasses before putting them away in the sink to wash.

“Never been much of fitness person, but I’ve tried. I do like to make stuff with my hands if that counts.”

[wesleyzheng]

a sympathetic frown tugged at wesley’s lips, and he held his glass firmly in his hands as he dismissed her apology quickly. “no, no, don’t be sorry, sugar. feel free to ramble and vent all you want, i’m not gonna make a move on ya.”

[clararosalinds-blog]

Clara looked at the man in front of him, a smile pulling at the corner of her lips as she looked down while she continued to wipe down the counter. It was then she managed to spot his glass which was half empty only to leave to retrieve another glass to pour him another.

“You’re nice, thank you. Just been rough these days.” She looked at him again as she placed the glass in front of him. “I like your hair.”

[mitchstyebeck-blog]

Either she was nervous or shy. It didn’t really matter to him. He was going to clear off her ticket seeing as she was already heading to the car. Mitch took a few steps to get out of the way, but instead walked over to the driver door and looked at her with a smile.

“You know, not all cops are assholes. I might be at times, but you seem pretty stressed,” he continued; “How about I take you for lunch? Whenever you’re done doing your thing.”

[clararosalinds-blog]

She thought that was going to be the last of him. Until that moment he had walked over to the drivers side of her door. She tensed only to roll down her window so she can hear his voice.

Clara looked at him with slightly widened eyes now. Was this.. a date? Her heart was racing as she tried to find her words, deep down her instincts told her to refuse but then.. why did she want to say yes? She pursed her lips together tightly before nodding.

“Yeah, we’ll see.” She smiled a little. “Hm.. how about the cafe downtown? I’ll be there at 6.”

[mitchstyebeck-blog]

He held out the ticket for her; waiting for her to take it or even rip it to pieces. But instead she continued to press on the same question. He was good at reading people and ended up sighing before taking the ticket back.

“Go,” he almost sounded defeated. “You better hurry before someone else gives you a ticket.”

[clararosalinds-blog]

He was really giving her a ticket wasn’t she? At this point.. she was at loss. For all she could do, she could either take the ticket in defeat or fight her way out of it. But before she could make her decision, she noticed the officer take it back which left her in surprise.

He was letting her go? Clara said nothing unsure of what to say but she smiled gratefully before bowing her head slightly. “Thank you– Thank you officer.” She read his name tag and tried to pronounce it carefully in spite of her accent getting int he way. “Stye..beck.” She looked at him, noticing she stood around for too long until she became aware of it. “Sorry– I will get out of your way.” It was with that said, she fixed her shoulder strap on her bag, leaving immediately to her vehicle before giving one last glance at him.

“Thank you.”