Page 101 of Still Love You

"It is. You just can't see it."

"I can see paint splattered on canvas. But what's that supposed to be? It doesn't make any sense."

"It doesn't have to. Art is whatever you make it. There's no right or wrong answer. You just look at it and let your mind explore what it could be."

"I can't do that. I look at it and it just looks like paint splatters."

"You just need to practice." I point at the sky. "What do see in the stars right above us?"

She takes a moment, then says, "I see four really bright stars and seven tiny ones."

"You're using logic again. Counting instead of seeing."

"What do you see?"

I pause, letting my mind play with the bright dots until an image is formed. I chuckle. "That's funny."

"What? What do you see?"

"Us." I point to it. "The four big stars look like the truck bed and the four smaller stars lined up look like me, because I'm taller, and the three smaller ones are you. See how close together they are?" I motion to us. "It's you and me lying next to each other in the truck."

She nudges my side. "You're crazy."

"Willow, I'm serious. Don't count them. Just look at them and think about what I said."

I wait as she gazes up at the sky. After a while, I say, "I guess you can't see it."

"No, wait. I'm actually starting to see it. And you're right. It does look like us. Except where's the rest of the truck?"

"It doesn't have to be a complete picture." I kiss her cheek. "You need to keep that logical side of yours turned off."

"That's impossible."

"At least you could see something up there. That's a start."

She flips on her side to face me. "You should be an artist."

"Why an artist?"

"Because you're creative and you can make things. Look how fast your jewelry sells out."

"I don't want to spend my life making bracelets and charms."

"But you also paint. And sculpt."

"I used to, but I don't anymore. That was just a hobby."

"Why are you studying business?"

"Because business is something you can use for a lot of different jobs."

"But you hate it."

"I don't hate it. I just don't like accounting. But it doesn't matter because I'm not planning on being an accountant."

"What are you going to be?"

"I don't know yet." I lean over and give her a kiss. "Unlike some people, I haven't planned out my whole life. I'm only 20. I have no idea what I'll be doing years from now."

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