My phone beeped and woke me. Groaning slightly, I rolled over and reached for it. It was a text from Kai.
Kai: Your presence is essential/required at the coffee shop. Be here in half an hour! OXOX
Me: Do I need to bring anything?
Kai: Just yourself.
I smiled.
My phone beeped again.
Kai: And maybe a kiss for me!
As I made my way to the coffee shop, I noticed how much the sun tried to shine through the thinning clouds. It was rare that I saw the sunrise. I couldn’t help but feel joyful. The beaming orange and gold reached across the lower sky, making the lilac clouds look like fairy floss. The sunlight arced across the pavement and between the houses. A flock of birds patterned the distance in front of me and I felt as free as them.
The seasons were changing. Spring had started and I was ready for the newness it brought. Last night’s rain and the morning sun created the rainbow that stretched across the sky. The colours linked and my eyes happily welcomed the beautiful sight. I felt like I had been living in grey for so long that I was seeing colours for the first time. We were being reintroduced, a colour at a time, and they fitted into my vision almost perfectly.
Kai’s invitation was curious because I knew the coffee shop wasn’t open for another hour. He was waiting outside, leant against the doorframe, dressed in his usual all-black uniform, his hair slicked back in a bun. I caught his attention and a wide smile stretched across his face.
“Good morning, Peyton Swift.”
“Morning Kai.”
He gently pulled me in. We kissed.
“What’s going on? Is everything OK?”
“Everything’s fine, Peyton. I have a surprise for you,”
“A surprise? What is it?”
“Well, if I told you before I showed you, then it wouldn’t be a surprise anymore, would it?”
“Well where is this surprise? You know I don’t …”
“I know you’re not the biggest fan of surprises, but doing surprises is sort of my thing; you’ll learn to love them.”
I stared at him and tried to uncover answers, but his face gave nothing away. Nerves fluttered in my stomach. Not the bad kind, the beautiful kind taking flight – making me feel childish excitement.
“Are you ready?” Kai asked.
I took a deep breath. “I guess so.”
“Close your eyes …”
“What? Is that necessary?”
“Closing your eyes is a vital part of this moment.” He smiled.
“OK.”
“Just close your eyes, take my hand and trust me.”
I closed my eyes and held out my hand. Kai locked his fingers with mine.
“OK, I’m going to guide you. It’s pretty simple; we’ll be taking a few steps forward and I’m one thousand per cent sure you’ve walked through an open door before.”
We started to move. The door opened. The usual sound of the bell rang overhead. He closed the door then let go of my hand.
“Keep your eyes closed.”
My butterflies fluttered wildly. I couldn’t erase my smile.
Kai stood behind me and whispered. “Open your eyes.”
For a couple of seconds I kept them closed. I wanted to hold the unknown for a brief moment more. I took a breath in then opened my eyes.
I no longer felt my heart. My breath was taken from me. I stood in disbelief as I scanned the shop. My jaw dropped. “Kai … When did you? How did you?”
“Do you like it?”
“I … I …”
“Should I take that as a yes?”
I turned to Kai but I couldn’t speak. My attention rushed back to two pieces of my artwork hanging on the coffee-shop walls. More of my canvases were spread out, leaning against the walls. Every piece of artwork was mine. “What is this?”
“Well, after you choose which works you want to hang up, it will be your own exhibition. Your first exhibition, if I’m not mistaken.”
I felt undeserving. “Are these even allowed to be up here?”
“Yeah of course they are!”
I was stuck in amazement. Twisted with confusion. “How?”
“Must I reveal how I prepare all of my surprises?”
“Maybe. I don’t know … I’d really like to know for this one though.”
“Well, I’ve had this idea for a while. One of the days when we were together in your Art Cave, I took photos of some of your art and then showed them to my boss. He loved them and said that if I could get the artist’s permission we could hang them up the next time we changed the art.”
“How did you sneak these out of the house? When did you sneak them out of the house?”
“Well, you can thank your mum for that.”
“What?”
“I told her about my idea and she thought it was great, or did she say amazing? I think I recall the word genius being used.” Kai laughed.
I shook my head.
“Anyway, last night your mum messaged me, letting me know you were in bed and we took the selected art from the cave, then this morning I hung a couple up and arranged the others around the room, then messaged you as soon as I could, hoping and praying that you wouldn’t go into your Art Cave.”
I was about to speak, but Kai interrupted.
“And before you say anything, I know you don’t like people going in your cave unless you’re there with them, but this was an important circumstance and …”
“Kai. Shut up.”
He took a breath.
“This is incredible. Thank you. Thank you so much.” I kissed his cheek.
“Oh, I forgot to mention, like you already know, most or all of the art that we hang here is for sale, so, if you’re up for it, you could sell yours.”
I was still caught in surprise.
“Well, are you going to start setting up? Customers will be here before we know it.”
“Um … Yeah.” I smiled.
“Just tell me what to do, Boss.”
The early-morning customers arrived. I was there for a couple of hours, soaking up my first-ever art exhibition. I couldn’t wait to call Liam and let him know. I knew I had to take pictures, maybe even a video. I knew he would be just as excited and happy as I was.
I was perched at a two-seater table near the counter so I could observe everything with an iced coffee in my hand. I felt like I was buzzing. I didn’t even want to try to hide my excitement.
A mid-thirties couple strolled in. The girl wore her auburn hair in a knot on top of her head. Her short flimsy white dress was paired with brown boots and a jacket. Chunky rings overtook her fingers. Her partner wore a light-blue long-sleeve t-shirt paired with jeans and ankle boots. His black hair was tousled from his face. His beard looked like a shadow, making his blue eyes glisten.
“Wow. Babe, look at these …” The girl’s wide eyes searched the walls like she was in a candy store. She stepped closer to one of my personal favourites. The face of a girl, wearing a flower crown with petals running down her flowing hair. Her eyes were straight ahead. Focused. Strong. She was made of only turquoise and purple. The effects of the watercolours dripping down the canvas drew your eyes up and down.
“Eddie, they’re for sale …” She smiled. Her red lips made her teeth look whiter. “One of these would look amazing in our home. It would finish off the lounge perfectly. Don’t you think?”
Eddie nodded.
“You know it would be an awesome statement piece and it would fit with how we’ve just decorated. Do you like it?”
“Yeah … Is this the one you’d want?”
“Well I mean I want to check out the others, but I love this one.”
As his girlfriend continued looking at my art, Eddie went to the counter. I overheard him ask if he could put that piece on hold. I slapped my hand over my mouth. I couldn’t stop my smile from growing.
Other customers’ comments kept me beaming. This moment made me believe in myself and my art. Their words sparked fresh inspiration. I wanted to rush home and create something new. And I wouldn’t have any limitations, because now I see the light. Now I see in colour.