Chapter 37 : Hope For Us

*Craig*

I would be lying if I said that it didn't hurt because it did. It had been three days since I had my talk with Dawn, and my heart was still trying to play catch up with my brain.

She didn't want to think about us as mates at the moment, and I had to respect that. I had to keep my distance and give her the space she needed to breathe. But all the while, my heart was in shambles over the prospect of possibly losing her.

Her birthday was two months away, and the competition was due to finish in 35 days. I was running out of time.

Last night, we were given our new assignments. We were meant to present a piece that depicted harmonious conflict but to do it through a different medium from our chosen one, which we entered the competition in. Surprisingly, we both came to an agreement that we should do oil painting. It was something we didn't at all do, but we're quite skilled at.

The first session was nothing but pure torture for me. I found myself staring at her more