Eternal Dose by Mike N. Stevens - HTML preview

Chapter 1

June 10,2020



“Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time." — Thomas Merton”

Ethan stood in the corner of the art gallery, nervously sipping his glass of wine. The room was filled with people admiring the various paintings on display, but his eyes were fixed on one particular piece. It was a painting of a serene lake at sunset, the colors blending together in a way that made it almost look like a photograph. It was his favorite piece, and he was proud of how it had turned out.

As he stood there, lost in thought, he felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned around to see a man with a warm smile and sparkling eyes.

"Hi, I'm Liam," the man said, extending his hand. "I couldn't help but notice you standing here. Are you the artist?"

Ethan nodded, shaking Liam's hand. "Yes, I am. I'm Ethan. Nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you too, Ethan," Liam replied. "I have to say, your work is incredible. This painting, in particular, caught my eye. The colors are just so vibrant and lifelike."

"Thank you," Ethan said, feeling a blush creep up his cheeks. "It's one of my favorites too. I spent a lot of time on it."

Liam smiled, his eyes twinkling with genuine admiration. "Well, it definitely shows. You have a real talent."

They stood there for a moment, both admiring the painting in silence. Ethan felt a strange sense of comfort in Liam's presence, as if they had known each other for years.

"So, what inspired you to paint this?" Liam asked, breaking the silence.

Ethan took a deep breath, thinking back to the day he had painted it. "I was at this lake a few months ago, just sitting by the water and watching the sunset. It was such a peaceful moment, and I wanted to capture that feeling in my painting."

Liam nodded, his expression thoughtful. "I can see that. It's like you can almost feel the tranquility just by looking at it."

They continued to talk, moving from one painting to the next. Liam was genuinely interested in Ethan's work, asking questions and offering thoughtful comments. Ethan found himself opening up in a way he hadn't with anyone else in a long time.

As the evening went on, they found themselves standing in front of another painting, this one of a bustling city street at night.

"This one is so different from the lake painting," Liam said, tilting his head to the side. "It's so full of energy and movement."

"Yeah, I wanted to capture the contrast between the calm of nature and the chaos of the city," Ethan explained. "It's like two different worlds."

Liam nodded, his eyes never leaving the painting. "I love it. You have a way of making the viewer feel like they're right there in the moment."

Ethan smiled, feeling a warmth spread through his chest. "Thank you, Liam. That means a lot."

They continued to talk, their conversation flowing effortlessly. Ethan found himself laughing more than he had in a long time, and he could tell that Liam was enjoying himself too.

As the gallery began to empty out, Liam turned to Ethan with a hopeful look in his eyes. "Would you like to grab a coffee sometime? I'd love to hear more about your work and get to know you better."

Ethan felt a flutter of excitement in his stomach. "I'd like that," he said, smiling. "I'd like that a lot."

They exchanged numbers, and as Liam walked away, Ethan couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation. He had a feeling that this was the beginning of something special.

A few days later, Ethan found himself sitting in a cozy coffee shop, nervously tapping his fingers on the table. He glanced at the door every few seconds, hoping to see Liam walk in.

Just as he was starting to worry that Liam wouldn't show up, the door opened, and there he was, looking as charming as ever.

"Hey, Ethan," Liam said, smiling as he approached the table. "Sorry I'm late. Traffic was a nightmare."

"No worries," Ethan replied, feeling a wave of relief wash over him. "I'm just glad you made it."

They ordered their drinks and settled into a comfortable conversation. Liam was easy to talk to, and Ethan found himself opening up about his life, his art, and his dreams for the future.

"So, what about you?" Ethan asked, taking a sip of his coffee. "What do you do?"

"I'm a freelance photographer," Liam said, his eyes lighting up. "I love capturing moments and telling stories through my photos."

"That's amazing," Ethan said, genuinely impressed. "I'd love to see some of your work sometime."

"I'd love to show you," Liam replied, smiling. "Maybe we could go on a photo walk together. I could show you some of my favorite spots in the city."

"That sounds like a lot of fun," Ethan said, feeling a spark of excitement. "I'd love that."

They continued to talk, their conversation flowing effortlessly. Ethan felt a connection with Liam that he hadn't felt with anyone else in a long time. It was as if they were kindred spirits, drawn together by their shared love of art and adventure.

As the evening went on, they found themselves walking through the city, talking and laughing as they explored. Liam pointed out interesting buildings and hidden alleyways, sharing stories and memories from his photography adventures.

Ethan felt a sense of joy and freedom that he hadn't experienced in a long time. He was grateful for Liam's company and the way he made him feel alive.

As they reached the end of their walk, Liam turned to Ethan with a hopeful look in his eyes. "I had a great time tonight, Ethan. I'd love to do this again sometime."

"Me too," Ethan replied, smiling. "I'd love that."

They exchanged a warm hug, and as Liam walked away, Ethan couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation. He had a feeling that this was the beginning of something special.

Back at his apartment, Ethan couldn't stop thinking about Liam. He felt a sense of excitement and hope that he hadn't felt in a long time. He knew that their connection was something rare and special, and he was eager to see where it would lead.

As he sat down at his easel, he picked up his paintbrush and began to work on a new painting. The colors flowed effortlessly from his brush, and he felt a sense of inspiration and creativity that he hadn't felt in a long time.

He knew that this was just the beginning of his journey with Liam, and he couldn't wait to see what the future held.