The Artistry of Love

by C. J. Scarlett

  “I see you got the same news,” he replied.

  I looked at him with confusion. Did he know about the baby as well?

  “You found out from Remi?” I asked him.

  “Yeah. Remi was overjoyed to have found out about the kid. I mean, I’m trying to be happy for the man. I really am, but at the same time, it feels… strange,” he told me.

  “How so?”

  “Well, the truth is, Remi is almost like a son to me. I’m not that much older than him, but I did practically raise him from a young age. My past is… a story for another evening, but I did take care of him quite a few times and, honestly, I feel a bit strange knowing that he’s left. I mean, he’s living his own life. He doesn’t need me nearly as much. It just feels… bizarre,” he explained.

  I nodded. I mean, I got that in a sense. I did want to know more about his relationship with Remi, but I guess that’ll be another talk for another day.

  “Yeah. Finding out she was pregnant the day my ex fucked me over like that really put me in a bad state of mind. It still stings, if you want the truth of it, and I don’t think it’ll get better for a little while. It hurts though, knowing that even your best friend is gone,” I told him.

  “You don’t have to worry about me leaving,” he said.

  The conviction in his voice swayed me. I looked at him, nodding in agreement.

  “Thank you. I do appreciate it,” I told him.

  “I’m serious. I won’t leave you. I’ll be your friend. You’re the first human I’ve ever cared about, and I want to make sure things go better for you,” he told me.

  “The same to you, Jives. I feel like ever since Remi left, it’s been hard on you. But if you ever need an ear, a shoulder to cry on, or a person to house your secrets, I’m here for you,” I said.

  When I said those words, I saw something else in his eyes. He seemed almost vulnerable. But, he kept a straight face.

  “I don’t want to worry you. I’ll take care of myself, but I do appreciate you offering,” he said to me.

  I could tell he did like it though. I smiled at him, taking his hand and holding it.

  “Together, we’ll make it through this,” I told him.

  “Thank you,” he replied.

  The rest of dinner felt different. Jives seemed happier with life, and he seemed to be grateful for me. I talked to him, humored his words, and he did listen to me quite a lot. I did cry a couple of times that night, and I couldn’t really help it, but the fact that he was there, listening to me and believing in me, made this so much easier for me, and I did like it a lot. At the end of the night, he brought me back home, and when we got there, we looked at one another.

  “When are you free next?” I asked him.

  “I should be in about five days. I have to go out and survey how the rebuilding is going,” he told me.

  I felt slightly upset. I wanted to see him again almost immediately. This really helped a lot.

  “Well, let’s shoot for then. I’d love to spend time with you again,” I told him.

  “As do I,” he replied.

  He gave me a smile, and I realized that this was the first time he did that. It was a real, genuine look, and it made my heart flutter. After all of that, I went inside, feeling a strange surge of energy within me. Jives was just a friend, that’s what I told myself, but there was that part of me that imagined it could be something more at some point.

  Could it? I don’t even know anymore. There was always that speculation that it could be, but I wasn’t totally sure. I definitely didn’t want to push it, but who knew, maybe if things are right, it could work. I didn’t want to bother him with it, nor did I feel like forcing it. When the time came, the time came.

  However, even if it didn’t become anything, I was just happy to have someone to care about me. After the hell I just went through, it was nice to finally be someone that mattered to another person, someone that was cared about by others, and loved by them as well.

  ~Jives~

  After we left that night, I took the hovercraft back to my home. When I got there, for the first time in a long time, I didn’t feel the urge to do paperwork. No, I wanted to grab some of the wine that was in the fridge, crack it open, and just chill. That’s what I did, and that’s what made me happy.

  I sat out on the balcony, not speaking to anyone, just thinking about the way everything was going. I felt happy I could be there for her. I truly did feel good. I knew that this made her feel happy as well.

  So why did I feel a slight rush of emotion when our fingers touched? Why did I feel my heart thump when she said she wanted to see me? All of these feelings drove me slightly crazy, and I felt almost unsure of what this meant for me. After a little while, I started to wonder: would it be okay to let my walls down around her?

  No. That wouldn’t do. I didn’t want to do that. Not because I feared her response, but because of the pain from before. I began to remember those moments, when I did let my guard down and actually showed emotion, when I told people my thoughts and feelings. When I actually cried. The times that I did that were the times I got screwed over. The times I lost everything. Remi saved me, but that darkness was still there.

  I sighed. I had everything I wanted right now. The last thing I needed was to scare her away. I did need to do something about that godawful boyfriend. I thought about that, thinking about how I could manage to help her, and that’s when I got an idea.

  I went to my computer, immediately messaging the president, saying that there was a situation with a human that I needed to be fixed. He asked what it was, and I asked for information on Brad the artist. Apparently that wasn’t very common, and he immediately showed up. I did a bit of research, and that’s when I learned it.

  Embezzlement. Fraud. This guy had some serious dirt on him, and I realized at this point that I could use this. I didn’t know how much help it would be, or if it could do much, but I put together a report, and I did manage to get some of the forces that I had under my control to go after this man first thing in the morning.

  I read that he never got anything for it. Well, he was about to. I finished filling out the rest of it, closing my computer, and that’s when I sighed. I did that for her. I didn’t do I for myself, or for the people. I did it to help her out.

  It felt bizarre, so very weird, but at the same time, I liked it. I liked helping her, to show her that I did care. I couldn’t really be too emotional, but I wanted to show in other ways.

  Or maybe I could. Maybe one day, when the time was right, I could finally show how I really felt to her. I doubted it. The time would come eventually, but I guess I’d figure it out when it came along.

  That night, I slept soundly, and when I woke up the next morning, I heard a dinging on my phone. I grasped it, seeing that it was from Tracey. It only read four words.

  “Look at the news,” I read to myself.

  I rarely looked at the news on Earth. After all, I kind of lived the life of what they reported. They were always scrutinizing the president, talking about the rules he enacted, also talking about the relationship between the Klandens and the Earth people. After a bit of searching, I opened up the news, and that’s when I saw the report.

  It was on her ex. Brad was taken into custody on accounts of fraud and embezzlement, both of which were proven this morning upon an audit of his accounts. It was reported that the world-renowned painter was doing a lot more than painting, and recently there were discussions of an illicit affair happening. I watched I, seeing the news anchors talk on and on about it, and that’s when I realized it.

  I did this. I was the one that caused this. I felt a sort of happiness in my body, seeping through my bones, making me super excited. I began to shiver in anticipation, happy that I could help her out, and there was that part of me that wondered if she knew that it was me, that I was the one that did that. I didn’t really know, but I guess I’d find out.

  I called her, and after a few rings, she finally spoke.


  “You saw it, didn’t you?” she said.

  “That I did,” I said.

  “Did you have… anything to do with it?” she asked.

  I wasn’t going to lie. There was no reason to.

  “Yes. I found out through some digging that your ex was doing a lot more than seeing other girls. I couldn’t let this slide, so I did what I needed to do,” I told her.

  There was a silence on the line, and I immediately felt nervous. Was she happy about this? Or was she pissed? She finally spoke.

  “You know, that’s the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me. Plus, it really does show that you care. Thank you,” she said.

  I immediately felt surprise linger in my bones. “You’re most welcome,” I replied. I wanted to be a good friend to her. I truly did. I mean, normally I wasn’t the type to get payback on ex’s or anything. That seemed so petty and something humans did, but I guess she was okay with it.

  “I don’t know what to do now though. I mean, we broke up, he’s in jail now. I’ve never felt so out of sorts about my future. Like ever,” she told me.

  “Then it might be best if you sat down and thought about it. It’s not like you have to make a decision now,” I told her.

  I wanted her to think about what just happened, but it was obvious that she had a lot of that to do.

  “So you really did it because you care about me, right? You’re not just pulling my leg?” she asked me.

  I shook my head. I didn’t want to seem like a bad person, but it was obvious that she needed someone to step in.

  “I could tell he really hurt you, Tracey. You’ve been grappling with this for a while. I stepped in, used the power I had, and helped you. You don’t need to thank me. Just do what you feel is right,” I told her.

  I did it because I didn’t like the idea of someone hurting her, or at least that’s what I told myself. She thanked me again, and I soon ended the call. I went back to my duties, working on this. However, one of the employees saw me come in late, and he immediately followed me.

  “Hey, is everything okay, Jives?” he asked.

  “Yeah. It’s fine. I just… had to use my position of power to help someone today,” I said.

  “Oh? Was it a girl?” he asked.

  “Yes, but I have no interest in her. I just didn’t want to see her hurt,” I told them.

  “I see. Well, you probably did a lot for her. You seem to be a lot happier these days. You’ve got a girl now, right?”

  “I don’t. I’ve just helped someone. I met someone that I do enjoy spending time with, but I doubt it’ll become anything more than that. Besides, I have a planet to run, and relations with the outside world to uphold,” I told him.

  “Right. Well, I think that it might be a good idea for you to consider branching out. After all, there are a lot of cute human girls here,” he said with a smile.

  I shook my head. “Not my problem. I don’t want to be bogged down by another,” I replied.

  The other grew annoying and soon I pushed him away. Gosh, why couldn’t people understand my actions? I felt like I was being forced to follow the traditions. But I didn’t want to. I wanted to work on myself. At least, that’s what I said out loud.

  But did I really do this just for myself? Was I really not looking out for anyone other than myself? I began to wonder this, and I knew for a fact that this was only going to bother me more and more. I wouldn’t do anything currently, but my heart did wonder what Tracey was up to, and I certainly knew that this was only going to continue to bother me for a long time.

  ~Tracey~

  I couldn’t believe he did that.

  Jives did all of that for me. He wanted to help me with this, and I didn’t even know what to think. I didn’t believe he was even into me like that. I wondered if he really did do this just for me or if he wanted something more from it. I mean, Jives was a nice guy. He actually bothered to listen to me, which was something that a lot of people didn’t do.

  I went back to my studio to paint, working on a few commissions, but I felt the urge to do something for him. I’d never painted anything for another person, even though I did wish to at times. I just feared I’d be coming off too strong or something. But he did help me out a lot back there, so I feel like this was the least I could do.

  Not only that, I felt a sort of happiness spread through my body as I painted. I didn’t have to worry about Brad showing up, or not showing up. From what I’d gathered, his agent never wants to work with me, which was fine because I hate her too. I heard she actually left the community to go find someone else. She’s probably looking for some new boy to have on her arm.

  I shuddered, still in shock that my ex even did that. I should be angrier, but I wasn’t. I didn’t feel angry, instead I felt relieved, especially knowing that he did this, and he got caught. I felt happy to know that I stood up for myself.

  Of course, it did involve help from others, but it was nice to finally do something that meant something in my life. I didn’t feel like I needed to hold back anymore. I know that Jives probably didn’t do it for anyone else but me, but a part of me wondered if he would ever consider a serious relationship with me.

  He’s always so busy though, working to make the planet a better place. He was strong, logical, and honestly very down-to-earth. He was a complete contrast to the man he used to take care of, that Remi kid, and it made me wonder what he was really like behind all of that.

  Did he even want a relationship? A part of me wondered if so, but I didn’t want to pursue it just yet.

  I figured the reason why I was even thinking about this was due to the sudden situation that occurred with Brad. I didn’t know if I really wanted that, or if it was just the urges from my heart growing. It was probably best to just lay low, to work on my art, and to start improving myself.

  Which was what I did. I painted the picture for Jives, but I didn’t want to give it to him. Not yet. The last thing I wanted to do was seem desperate or anything. Instead, I worked on a few art commissions, which surprisingly started coming in a lot more as a result of Brad’s arrest. I guess since everyone lost Brad they don’t have many other resources. So I had a lot of work, and I felt happier.

  I still managed to do my own stuff too, which was nice, because I had a lot more ideas that were just aching to be done. It’s strange, because I’d never felt this inspired in the past. When I was with Brad, there were days when I would feel like I was just going on in life, not really obtaining anything. I started to wonder what it meant, if I was just better on my own, or if this change meant something more.

  I didn’t really know. There were still so many questions that I had, a lot that I was still trying to figure out for myself, but about a month had passed, and Brad’s studio was soon sold to some other chick, one who seemed pretty nice. She didn’t use it for painting, but rather pottery, and her and I did work well together. In a sense, this was the friend I’d been missing in my life. Since Audrey decided to run off to another planet and have an alien’s baby, I felt alone, but this neighbor, a girl named Sarah, did help to fill the void.

  “That’s a gorgeous painting,” she said as she pointed to the picture I’d done for Jives.

  “Thanks. It’s for someone,” I told her.

  “Oh? Someone special?” she asked with a smile.

  I didn’t know what to make of our relationship. On the one hand, I did like Jives. Like, a lot. But on the other hand, would this really work? I didn’t really know for sure, because I felt like if I tried to force it, it wouldn’t work for either of us.

  “I don’t know. I mean, I kind of wished we could be something special, but I’m not going to push it,” I told her.

  “You should take a chance. I mean, he sounds better than the douchebag that you were with before,” she urged.

  Sarah was right. I’d told her about the Brad drama, and how Jives helped me. She said that it was nice of him, and I believed so, too. But, I wondered, could this really work? Could a romance
between an alien and a human actually pull through? I know that it did with Audrey, but Audrey was a smart woman who keeps herself grounded, and I’m just an artist who’s still trying to grapple with life.

  “Maybe. I just… I feel scared, you know. I’ve had a hell of a time with relationships in the past, and I don’t want to ruin this friendship,” I told her.

  “Well, just take it slow. That’s probably what he wants too. I’m surprised he hasn’t come over here. Since he did do all of that for you,” the other said.

  “You’re right. Maybe he’s just busy,” I told Sarah.

  “I think he’s also nervous as well,” Sarah teased.

  I doubted it. Jives wasn’t like that. He was probably super deep in his work and he didn’t have time to deal with this sort of thing.

  “Maybe. I don’t know, I’ll talk to him whenever I see him,” I said.

  “That’s fine. It’s your life. I just think that for someone to do that for you, to help use their power to get you out of that abusive situation, means a lot, and I feel like both of you want more than just friendship, at the end of the day,” Sarah admonished.

  “I guess.”

  Sarah left, and I continued to paint. But, I did wonder about that. Did Jives really mean that? Did he really want something more than friendship? I didn’t even know, and I felt like the signals he was giving me felt so mixed. I thought about texting him, but I decided against it. I felt like maybe he should come to me more than anything.

  That’s what I did. Unfortunately, that meant I had to wait another two weeks before I saw him again. But, when he did show up, I was finishing up work at the studio. I heard a knock, and immediately, I assumed that it was Sarah.

  “Coming!”

  I raced to the door, excited to see my friend. Sarah was the friend that I needed after all this time. I didn’t hear a peep from Audrey. Probably because she’s in la-la land with the baby and shit. But, when I opened the door, I immediately jumped back in surprise.