Page 32 of I Wish You All the Best

It takes me a few seconds to realize he means the sketchbook. “Oh, um.”

“Just one? Come on.”

I sigh and start flipping through the pages quickly to find something that’s actually finished. There’s this idea for a painting I’ve been playing around with. It’s just a sketch, but I’m done with that part of the planning. “Just one,” I say, handing it to him.

Nathan’s smile grows wider, if that’s even possible, as he takes the pad. He handles it with the same care I’d expect him to give a baby.

“It isn’t going to break, you know.”

“I know,” he says, still setting it in his lap carefully. “This is really cool, Ben.”

“Thanks.” I feel my face get hot, so I turn away from him. Oh God, I’m not blushing, am I? “It’s an idea for a painting I have.”

“You paint too?”

“A little.” I reach for my phone. “I’ve just got some photos though.”

“Can I see one, please?” He hands the sketchbook back to me, leaning closer to get a look at my phone. I hope he doesn’t question the background. There’s this ice-skating anime Mariam and I both love, and I don’t think now’s the right time to explain just how gay it can really get.

“Hold on.” I flip through the camera roll, trying to find something he might like. “Give me a second?”

“Sure, I’ll even turn around.” Nathan tucks his knees up near his chest and swivels around on his butt, which can’t be comfortable on these concrete steps.

“You didn’t have to do all that.”

“Now you tell me!” He doesn’t sound too offended though. “I gave myself a wedgie doing that.”

I could show him the drip painting, but that doesn’t seem too impressive. There is this small painting of a skull I did, partially a study in anatomy. It isn’t perfect. I messed up on some of the colors and the shading, but overall it isn’t terrible. I tap Nathan on the shoulder and he leans back without turning around, grabbing the phone.

Please don’t start going through my phone. Please don’t start going through my phone.

“Ominous. You aren’t, like, secretly some dark lord or anything, right?” He laughs.

“If I was some evil overlord, I’d like to think I’d have better things to do than go to school.” I reach for the phone, but Nathan pulls it away at the last second.

“Not done.” He eyes it closely, spreading his fingers to zoom in.

“I messed up on the shading at the back, and the eyes are way too dark for where the light is supposed to be coming from.”

“Ben, this is pretty awesome.”

“Yeah, right.”

“No, I mean it. You need to give yourself more credit, dude.” He hands my phone back, and I feel that sting.

“Thanks.” I slide the phone back into my pocket. “So what are you doing here so early?”

“I could ask you the same thing.” He leans back, trying to turn around without getting another wedgie.

“I asked you first.”

“Choir practice.” He grins.

“No way.” I try my best not to laugh. “Really?”

“Ha!” Nathan tosses his head back. “How gullible are you?”

“Shut up.” I shove him.