Chapter Three

~Haven's POV~

I could barely sleep that night. I was always incredibly excited for the first day of school. And knowing I had art classes only made me even more excited.

I had the perfect dress picked out. Knew exactly how I would do my hair and had brand new art supplies. I was so ready.

I was up before my alarm went and I got ready for school eagerly. I texted Tristian to make sure we were still meeting early so I could show him around the Art Department. I got an immediate response.

I wasn't sure how to feel about what Tristian had told me last night. He said I didn't seem happy with my life, only comfortable. And now he was making his mission to help me.

I wasn't sure what that entailed, but he was wrong about me. I love my life and I love Gabe.

The drive was surprisingly quick and easy and I found parking with no trouble. Some would say I'm lucky, but I know that God blessed me with an easy morning, just like I prayed he would.

Just as I reached the Art building, my phone started ringing. I saw that it was Tristian.

"Let me guess, you're running late?" I answered the phone.

"Actually I was going to say that I see you and I'm heading over."

I turned around and saw Tristian walking towards me, holding his phone to his ear with his shoulder and carrying two drinks.

"You brought coffee," I said.

"Yeah. No idea what you like, but I figured an Iced Mocha would do," he said handing it to me.

I tried to ignore the electricity I felt when his hands brushed against mine. 

"It's my favorite," I said slowly.

"Mine too,” he smiled. "Stop looking so shocked to see me here on time."

"I'm not shocked that you're on time, I'm shocked that you were early." I admitted

"Well I'm glad I surprised you," He winked. That sent shock waves through my entire body. What is wrong with me? "Now I believe you have a tour to give."

The tour lasted far much longer than it should have because we couldn't stop laughing or geeking out over the artwork that was all over the building.

We were almost late to our painting class. I had found out I had all of my art classes with Tristian, and I was actually grateful for that. So that we could help each other. Not because I want to be around him or anything like that.

After Painting we had a break long enough to get lunch. We met up with Gabe and Grace.

"Hey, babe," Gabe greeted me with a kiss. It was much more intense than a usual greeting kiss would be. I was surprised when his tongue entered my mouth at an accelerated rate. His hands were much lower on my waist than usual. Something told me it's because of Tristian. "How's your first day going?"

"Exceptional," I said, trying to recover from that intense kiss. "Tristian and I are in for a wild ride with Painting.”

“This is why I'm glad I didn't sign up for that,” Grace said. “If you're going to have issues, I would have died in that class.” Tristian and I laughed.

"Oh, you have Painting together?" Gabe asked. I could hear the sharpness in his voice. I could see his fists clench. He really doesn't like Tristian. 

Tristian nodded, either oblivious to Gabe's obvious disdain or unphased by it. "Yep, and Drawing and Sculpting."

"So I'm gonna help him in Painting, he's gonna help me in Drawing, and I guess we're just gonna be lost in Sculpting." I chuckled.

"Sounds fun." Gabe said dully, rolling his hazel eyes. "What's for lunch?"

++

"So, you like the school so far?" Grace asked Tristian. "Is it better than your last one?"

"Oh yeah, it's cool. It's a nicer campus and the Art department is so goddamn sick!" Tristian winced. "Sorry. I'll watch my language."

That's nice of him. I liked how thoughtful he was about his words and how it makes us feel.

"It's okay," I assured him. "We're just not really used to those...sentence enhancers."

Tristian smiled in relief, while Gabe looked quite offended. Grace looked at him skeptically.

"But yes, the Art Department is sick." Tristian continued. "And the view...well it's incredible." He looked over at me. His grey eyes were burning into mine. I know he didn't care about the green trees or the beautiful sparkling lakes. I think he was talking about me.

I couldn't help but smile, even though I knew I shouldn't. I shouldn't be encouraging this behavior.

"Yes the trees are just splendid." Gabe said dryly. He saw Tristian look over at me. 

"They're no Tree in Flower Near Vetheuil but they'll do." Tristian replied, once again ignorning Gabe's aggression. 

I smiled again. I found his knowledge of Monet's work to be very impressive and...attractive? 

I mean Tristian was of course already physically attractive. I mean that dark messy hair and that brown skin and those silver eyes that always seem to be looking into your soul. And maybe even through your clothes.  And those lips that seem to be constantly smirking at you and that would probably be amazing to kiss.

Woah. No. I shouldn't be thinking about Tristian like that. I barely know him and I already have Gabe, who I love. I shouldn't be having these adulterous thoughts in my mind.

Besides, it's not like I actually like him or anything. I just like the way we connect through art.

"Hey guys!" Heath said, running over to us.

"Hey man, how's it going?" Tristian asked him as Heath sat down.

"Wonderful. First day of school is always the best in Psychology. Weeds out the weak ones." He laughed.

“You're sick.” Grace said between chews.

“To help the mentally sick, you gotta be a little sick too.” He winked at her before grabbing the other half of my sandwich.

"Heath David Campbell!" I said sounding just like our mom. "Give it back!"

He ignored me and took a bite. "You weren't going to eat it anyways. Haven Harmony Campbell."

Tristian laughed. "Harmony, huh? Well aren't you just all about meaningful names." 

"Shut up." I muttered. I looked at Heath who was smirking.

"I love your middle name." Gabe kissed me hard again.

Tristian is so wrong. I'm incredibly happy with Gabe. No one makes me smile the way he does, or knows me like he does. We're meant to be together. No matter how strong my connection with Tristian is. I knew what I wanted.

+++

"Why do you hang out with Tristian so much?" Gabe questioned.

"What do you mean? We have classes together." I said as we set up the room for our Youth Meeting.

"But you guys hang out outside of school. I mean, it's been a month, when are you going to drop this guy Haven?"

"Drop him? He's our friend,"

"No he's your friend." Gabe said. 

"And Heath's friend too." I pointed out. 

"Well, I'm not dating Heath, I don't care who he's friends with."

"What does that mean?"

Gabe sighed, dragging his fingers through his dark locks. "I don't think I like that you hang out with him."

I paused and looked over at him. "And why not?"

Of course I knew the answer. Tristian clearly had some feelings about me and wasn't really interested in hiding that at all. But I was so obviously not receptive to those feelings, so it shouldn't even matter, right?

"Come Hav, you're not that oblivious. He's into you! I-I don't like my girlfriend hanging out with someone who likes her, especially that guy. With his nose ring and messy hair and that stupid smug look on his face."

"Gabe, we're supposed to love our neighbors," I pointed out. "Even the ones we don't like that much. Now, I understand your frustrations, but Tristian and I are just friends. We both really like art and that means so much to me. I have no one else to talk to about art. Don't you want me to feel fulfilled?"

"I just don't understand why I can't fulfill you, babe." Gabe stated, wrapping his arms around me. "Give me a chance to. I'm sure I know something about that Monet guy."

"Oh yeah?" I smiled, wrapping my arms around his neck. My fingers brush against his curls. "Fine, what's his most famous painting?"

"The Water Lily Pond, obviously." Gabe kissed me. "Tell me I'm right."

I giggled and shook my head. "No, that's just my favorite. His most famous one is-"

"Water Lilies," a deep gravelly voice interrupted. "Although, Impression, Sunrise is so much better." Tristian stood in the doorway of the room.

His broad shoulders were leaning against the frame and his arms were crossed over his chest, making his muscles even more prominent. He had a smirk on his face as though he was proud he had showed Gabe up. I hated how dreamy he was.

"Um yeah. Exactly." I smiled, unwrapping myself from Gabe. "You're early."

"Better than being late, right?"

"I suppose so."

"Well if you're here, why don't you make yourself useful and help us set up. If it's not too much to ask of course." The sharpness in Gabe's voice was intense. I was sure this did not make him like Tristian any more than he did before our conversation.

"Yeah, I can help. Anything to help out a friend." Tristian pushed himself off of the door frame and walked over to us. I couldn't help but notice his hand brushing mine. Electricity danced throughout my body. 

"You didn't have to be so rude." I whispered to Gabe as Tristian set bibles on the tables. 

"He did that on purpose," Gabe hissed. "He made me look bad."

"He did not. He just knew the answer. Now do you see why I enjoy his friendship?"

"Yeah, sure. Just be wary. I don't trust him."

With the way Tristian is staring at me right now, that was probably a good idea.

+++

“I have never seen a car wash look so modest.” Tristian whispered to me at the fundraiser on a sunny Saturday afternoon. Since Ms. Fletcher had made Tristian join the youth group, he had to help out with the car wash fundraiser.

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“I mean that we would have car washes at my old college, and the girls all wore bathing suits,” he responded. "Where's the skin, Campbell?"

“I'm showing skin," I protested. "I'm in a tank top and shorts. Besides, I'm wearing a bathing suit under my clothes.”

“That's my point. You guys are so modest,” he grumbled.

“Well, sorry you don't get to see a bunch of girls in bikinis,”  I shrugged.

“There's really only one girl I want to see,” he whispered in my ear before walking away to help out. I hate the chills running rampantly through my body.

“What was that about?” Grace asked, approaching me.

“Tristian is merely complaining about the lack of skin showing at this car wash.” I decided not to tell her about what he had whispered. I knew he was talking about me and I didn't want her to know about his mission focused on me.

“Shocking,” Grace said sarcastically. “Tristian is cool, but he really needs to change his stance on God and everything.”

“I'm sure he will soon enough. He's like halfway there." I didn't fully believe that.

“You're probably right,” Grace agreed. “I'm going to help Heath dry the cars. You gonna help out? I know you organized this thing but you could wash a car or two.” She joked.

Although Grace wasn't serious, I decided to help out. It would distract from the way Tristian was staring at me. It was making me feel things in my body that I previously never had.

I joined Gabe as he washed a red Honda.

“How's it going, honey?” I asked.

“Good. This is a fantastic turnout, Haven.” Gabe said wiping his forehead, getting suds all in his crinkly hair. I smiled at him as I wiped the suds away. “Thanks, babe.”

“You're welcome,” I replied. “I didn't think this many people would show up. We might actually be able to pay for everyone to go on the retreat without them having to take it out of their own pocket.”

“It's all because of you,” he said. “You did all this. You always do amazing things.” 

I smiled happily as he kissed me. Gabe was always lifting me up, telling me I was wonderful and how great I was at making things happen. That's why I loved him. That is what Tristian failed to see. What he didn't fail to see was the kiss Gabe and I just shared. 

He glared for only a moment before stripping off his black t-shirt to reveal a white tank top which quickly got wet and thus you could see through it. It became clear that Tristian worked out a lot. I couldn't look away.

The way the material was clinging to his abs was mesmerizing. I could see tattoos inked on his chest and upper arms that I'd never seen before. His silver nose ring was glinting in the light. You're not supposed to do those things. Our bodies are temples. I wanted nothing more than worship at Tristian's pierced, tattooed and toned temple. 

“Did you hear me, Haven?” Gabe asked.

“I'm sorry, what?” I asked.

“I said if you want to help out, Tristian looks like he could use some. He's doing that car all by himself.”

“Oh…um. Okay.” I said, hoping I didn't sound as nervous as I felt.