This story was originally posted on Tumblr from the following prompt: I'm in art class and I just opened a cupboard to find a tiny person (you) squished inside and you just looked at and said "shh i'm hiding"

Muse

Part One

"Oh dear…" Effie, my teacher for illustration, rushes about, her gaze worried. Students are starting to file in, setting up their boards on their drawing benches and arranging their media (charcoal, pencils, brushes, etc). However, her eyes remain on the door as she watches and waits. "Where could that girl be?"

I join her side. "Everything alright?"

"Oh yes! Everything is fine, Peeta." Effie gives me a tense smile. "Just expecting someone. Why don't you set up your board?"

I pat her shoulder before going to my own bench. My drawing board is already perched, along with my newspaper sheets. I grab my brushes in my art box before realizing that I'm missing something…my ink. I've been experimenting with it as it's better to manipulate lines with.

I know that Effie keeps spares in the back cupboards, so I head over as the class continues to gather.

Opening the cupboard, I almost jump in shock seeing what's in front of me—a girl.

Her smoky almond eyes stare up at me, her rose-colored lips formed into a perfect O and I feel myself…react to her. She's wearing a white robe and I turn to where Effie is looking at the door anxiously.

I think I found our model.

"Shh…I'm hiding!" she hisses at me.

"I can see that," I reply quietly. "So, you're supposed to be up on the platform?"

"I don't even know why I agreed to this," she tells me, twisting a tendril of raven black hair around her finger. "My dormmate, Johanna, dared me. She said it would help me make friends…loosen up and whatnot."

I smirk. "Yeah, standing around naked will make you super popular." I look around to make sure no one sees me talking to the girl in the cupboard. "You don't even look old enough to be in college."

She's a tiny thing; maybe about five feet. However, I do catch a glimpse of plush cleavage and lean legs under her robe. Immediately, I feel guilty for ogling her.

"I'm nineteen, thank you very much," she huffs. "Are you going to tell on me?"

Nineteen—thank God.

Not too far from my twenty-two years and legal so I don't immediately turn myself in for staring at her the way I am.

"No, I will not tell on you," I whisper.

"Thank you," she replies, her mouth rising in a gorgeous smile. "I'm Katniss."

I return with my own smile. "Peeta."

"Well, Peeta, I owe you," she says. "Also, you better get going…so what did you need?"

"Ink." Katniss turns behind her and I barely catch a peek of a full bottom as she retrieves a bottle of ink. She hands it to me and winks. "I'll talk to you after."

She nods and I close the cupboard.

"Peeta!" Effie rushes over. "Our model has disappeared—"

"Don't worry," I tell her.

"Okay, let's change position," Effie says as she walks around the class, looking at each student's work. "Peeta, why don't you—" She retrieves a long wooden stick against the wall before going to where I stand on the platform. "Stand toward the back and extend one leg back. You can use the stick for support."

I do what she says easily. I failed to mention to Katniss that I did some modeling during my first and second year at Panem University. The pay was decent and since I was an art major, I got to know the staff directly.

"In this position, you can get a much cleaner line and see how distinct the muscles of the legs are," Effie tells the class. "It will give your sketch a sense of motion."

I look ahead and notice that the cupboard door is open…just slightly enough for someone to peek through.

And the thought that Katniss might be looking at me, naked as the day as I was born, on this platform suddenly has me hard.

Think of something else…vomit…old socks…bugs…God—it's hot under these lights…

Thankfully, I haven't gone full mast, but it's enough to get a hum of approval from a few of the students.

"I think we're done for today," Effie announces and looks to me. "You can step down and get dressed."

I nod, but not before seeing the cupboard door shut.

"Thank you for stepping in," Effie tells me as she packs up. "Would you mind closing up? Haymitch had a late class so we're going to drive home together."

I shake my head. "No problem. Tell him I said hello."

"Of course," she says. "Thanks again!"

After throwing on her coat, I walk Effie to the door then make sure that it's locked from the outside before stepping back in.

"Hello."

I turn around and find Katniss standing before me.

I was right. She's about five feet, maybe a little less, but beneath the white robe I see curves. In my mind, I'm already drawing out her smooth shoulders, rounded breasts, carved-in waist, and full hips.

She is a masterpiece come to life.

"Hi," I finally say. "Are you okay?"

"Yes, I'm just embarrassed," she tells me. "I thought I could do this, but I can't imagine just being out there on that platform with everyone's eyes on me." Her eyes meet mine. "Not like you did."

"It becomes second nature after a while," I reply. "I used to model during my freshmen and sophomore year."

Katniss nods. "Good to know if I ever decide to try this again."

"Well—" I cough nervously. "You do owe me a favor. And, I didn't get a chance to sketch today."

Walking over to my drawing bench, I sit down and look to her.

She approaches. "So, you'd like me to…model?"

"Only if you want," I say quickly. "And, after we can have dinner."

Katniss doesn't reply.

Instead, she walks to the platform, steps up, and goes to its center.

"Dinner would be nice."

Then, Katniss drops her robe.

End of Part One

This is a complete story, but I'll be posting within the next few days.

Hope you enjoyed!

Till the next part,

JLaLa