She held the paper out of my reach and I shuffled closer, wrapping my arms around her waist and rested my chin against her shoulder.

Trix who drew this? she asked, running her fingers over the dark surface of the pencil drawing.

You like it?

I watched as she looked at it closer, I could feel my heart thumping in my chest. No one else apart from Lizzie had seen my drawings and she had given up trying to convince me that they were good. The drawing Millie was looking at happened to be one of her, well my memory of her anyway. It was only a side profile of her, but I had drawn it so she was looking to the side. Her dark eyes holding their secrets and the passion which had captured my attention the first time I saw her. I was curious to see whether she would recognise herself, but was also slightly embarrassed at the same time. What if she hated it, or hated how I saw her.

Trix. she breathed putting the picture down and turning round in my arms.

Why didn’t you tell me you could draw?

Millions of people can draw, it didn’t seem important. I said, resting my hands on her hips.

She was searching my eyes, a look of disbelief in her own.

I see so many pieces of art everyday and you have double the talent that half of those artists have, you need to get a portfolio done and start sending out some of your stuff. she said eagerly, getting excited like a little kid on Christmas eve.

I shook my head, laughing.

I don’t think so Mill.

Im being serious Trix, youre only what twenty four? You can make it, trust me if I can do it you can.

Twenty two. I corrected her.

Youre twenty two? When’s your birthday?

I looked away, I hated telling people when my birthday was. It was probably the most annoying birthday ever!

February twenty nine. I said quietly.

Millie leant back for a moment, I could hear her working it out and I waited for the usual comment.