Chapter Text
'Adonis is the god of beauty and desire. He was the lover of Aphrodite, the goddess of beauty, and Dionysus, the god of wine, theatre, ecstasy, which means that Adonis, like many other gods of Greek mythology, was bisexual.' - The only sounds in the audience were the velvety, London-husky voice of Mr Lambert, an art teacher at the art college, and the barely noticeable click and creak of his patent leather shoes as he paced back and forth in front of the students, like a comedian beginning a performance before a rough and tired audience of low birth. 'He is bisexual, he is two-faced: the beautiful Adonis, as we know, swore off hunting wild boar, but broke his own promise, which led to his tragic and therefore well-known death. Just as Adonis had two paths, to humbly avoid the boars and lions, or to break his vow and take a risk, so you have a choice between two options. ' Mr. Lambert's hallmark was always a fondness for drawn-out and extremely colorful narratives. The students fidgeted in their seats, and a feeling of anticipation and excitement before the unknown hung in the audience.
' You can write me a good, large and, I admit, laborious portrait of Adonis, and the author of the best work will get an excellent for the semester, or you can play it safe and gradually submit several works according to the curriculum. ' There was a clear stir among the students. Mr. Lambert was clearly pleased with the impression he had made: the students whispered, nervously muttered, someone clicked a pen hysterically. After a minute of silence, sated by the sight of excitement in the audience, the teacher continued:
' However, I hasten to inform you that there is one nuance. The authors of the losing works will not receive any marks and they will also have to hand in several works. The Adonis portrait is due next Thursday, you have a little over a week. Well, who will dare? ' - having finished his announcement, he threw off his thick checkered jacket and put his hands in his trouser pockets.
***
Pete's pov:
A day later, the group wandered around the spacious ceremonial hall of the museum dedicated to ancient culture. The students were looking at the statue of Adonis for inspiration, to get the right idea and to understand what Adonis is all about.
' So, Pete, have you found a model to paint from? ' - John asked without looking at me.
I was silent. I was looking at Adonis, at his gracefully placed hand on his neat white marble waist. The sculptor had pictured him as slender but not skinny, toned but not a mountain of shiny muscles. Perfect. Above his elastic shoulders was a handsome head, adorned with attractive, probably soft, and probably light curls.
' Hey, Pete? '
' Huh? ' With a small but sensual push in the side, John brings me back to earth. Or rather, to the creaking, polished to an unnecessary shine linoleum. ' Nah, no one suitable yet. I'm fucked, man. '
In response, Entwistle chuckled dryly in his manner.
' I've already found someone suitable. Clay, I think we already had a model for him a year or two ago ' - he, as always, monotonously, added to his grin.
Damn! - I thought. Why didn't I immediately think of Clay? He certainly doesn't seem to me the height of perfection, but he looks very much like Lambert's description. I didn't know what to say. Looking down, I could see the statue of a beautiful god reflected in the patent leather toes of John's boots.
' Eight days to paint an oil portrait is nothing. To hell with such trials. ' I turned gloomily to my friend.
' Well, Pitty, ' he said with the most chaste expression, ' remember, you chose this yourself. '
It was annoying to admit, but he was right.
***
Not yet having even a rough idea where I would get a model, I went to the art store opposite the college to get a canvas and other necessary things.
Figuring that today was Thursday, I realized that I had arrived just in time for my friend Keith's shift: as soon as the bell rang, notifying everyone that I was standing at the threshold, Moon in one jump found himself on the other side of the cash register.
' Petey! ' - Keith jumped up the stairs leading to the exit and hugged me passionately. ' Why did you take so long to come see me, naughty boy? ' - He grotesquely turned his shaggy head with a yellow signature cap askew from me and slapped my dark blue jacket with his hand as if offended.
' Business, Keith, dear, business. ' - I gently patted him on the shoulders and he removed his offended expression in a second.
' In any case, I'm damn glad you're here. ' He jumped off the stairs and headed closer to the cash register. ' What brought you here, wanderer? ' - imagining that he was holding a pipe, he desperately tried to light a ballpoint pen. ' A bottle today, I hope? I have good company too! ' - he waved the pen-pipe towards the people standing next to the cash register. Only now did I notice them. They were a tall brunette with cherry-red lips and an expressive look, and a guy with a pile of light curls and enchanting blue eyes. ' This is Anna and Roger. ' - Keith named them.
I nodded to Anna and shook Roger's hand. It was calloused and warm.
' No, Keith, ' I finally answered his question: ' Not today. And not this week or next. ' - I prevented all subsequent questions. ' Now is the portrait test and there is very little time. I went to get the necessary things. '
After about ten minutes of searching for the necessary materials and five minutes of persuading Keith to stay longer, I left the store with a shopper full of purchases and a wallet full of disappointments. A surprise awaited me at the exit: to the left of the entrance, thoughtfully looking at the dry and dusty road, the same curly blond was blowing smoke.
At first, he seemed not to notice me, and then he turned around and smiled, nodding, as if to say, hello again.
' Roger, I think? ' - I extended my hand to him again. Why??
' Roger. '
' I'm Pete. '
' Well, nice to meet you. Once again. Pete. ' - our hands broke contact.
I decided to smoke for the sake of appearances, and Roger gave me a light. This cheered me up, because it meant that Roger was positive about me. I spent a long time collecting my thoughts, and then suddenly blurted out to both of us:
'You know, I'm not a pervert.'
Roger choked, chuckled, his even eyebrows quickly raised and just as quickly returned to their place:
'Well, I'm glad to hear it.' - he chuckled before taking another drag. I was glad he wasn't angry. Who knows how I would have reacted to such a start to the conversation.
'You know, I started off on the wrong foot.' I tried to correct the situation. 'I'm from the art school across the street, I came here to get a canvas, oils and the missing brushes. Also from college?'
'Who, me? No, I'm from the theater school, I'm just friends with Keith, so I came in for tea.' - he answered, smiling. I was riveted by his reflective blue eyes.
' I see. It's just that, you know, here's the thing.. ' my palms were sweating treacherously. The cigarette was getting soggy and tearing in my fingers. 'We have a painting test, we need an oil portrait of Adonis. By Thursday. Again, I'm not a pervert but.. Could you.. ' For some reason, it suddenly became so difficult to ask Roger such a basic thing. A strange, sickening feeling suddenly filled my throat.
' What, pose? ' - he raised his eyebrows again in surprise. I was happy with his insight and the fact that he finished what I started.
' Exactly. '
' Hmm.. Why not? '
I was surprised that he agreed so quickly.
' Well, you know, Adonis should be depicted naked. '
' Okay. ' - he nodded at me, causing his curls to sway and shimmer like precious gold.
' Oh. Fine, I'll pay.. '
' No need. ' - he shocked me again. ' Just buy me a beer at the bar sometime, mate. ' - he smiled. So tenderly and sincerely..
I showered Roger with a wagon and a cart of thanks, scribbled my address and phone number, and, almost skipping, like a fucking jumping jack-flash, rushed home, knocking down passers-by with a shopper with a 60x80 canvas