The Artist & The Art Critic

Chapter 1

"Are you excited?" Jake asked as we left our last lecture of the day. "Excited? About what?" I asked but I knew exactly what he was talking about. "Oh I don't know maybe having your art judged in one of the biggest art contests in New York!" He said, he was exaggerating majorly, it was just a small art show held in one of our school building that one of my teachers had nominated me in.

"Ah yes, I am excited but it's not a huge deal, and it's definitely not the biggest art competition in New York." I said rolling my eyes. "whatever but I heard there's this really tough critic that will be there judging." I shrugged "People all interpret art a different way."

"Well yes but what if she hates yours?" I sighed "then I don't win okay, it's not a big deal." I said and stopped walking when I realized we had reached my apartment.

I walked up the stairs to the opening of the building. "See ya latter Johnny" Jake called and I gave him a small wave before walking into the lobby of the building, there was an hour before the contest. I rode the elevator up to my floor and made my way down the hall to my apartment. I unlocked the door and walked into my colorful apartment.

Paint was still splattered on the wall from the day before when I had decided to destroy the painting I had worked on for a month. I walked into my room putting my things down and face planting on my bed. I set my clock for 4:30 a half hours before the contest and fell asleep.

~~~

I woke up, looking at the time '4:50' "shit." I yelled, the alarm clock hadn't gone off. I grabbed my canvas and bag and ran out the door, I only had 10 minutes to get to the contest. I ran down the street towards campus.once there I checked the time '4:55' "shit. shit. shit." i said quickly running into the building, i quickly signed in and found the spot my Art was supposed to be in. I quickly placed my canvas on the stand and sat down with the other featured artists.

The three judge stood up along with lots of other people who had came to spectate. I looked around and saw the artists had disappeared now standing next to they're paintings. I quickly got up standing next to mine with a confident look on my face.

Jake came up to me "Hey. It looks really good but shes already made one girl cry." he said pointing over his shoulder to a girl with shoulders length chestnut hair sobbing into her hands. "who? Who made her cry?" i asked tilting my head. "The judge! Sabrina I think her name is." he said and i shrugged. "Well i'm not going to cry over constructive criticism, some people wont see what i see when i look at this painting. I see live hatred and death." i said looking at my painting. Jake nodded.

"well i'm glad you think so because her she comes" he said, i looked over to were he was looking and saw a girl with long aburn hair coming towards me a pin saying "guest judge" on her shirt. She wore a white blouse and floral skirt with a brown belt and heals. She held a clipboard in one hand and a pencil in the other. "hello, I'm Sabrina and i'll be judging your painting today." she said in a quiet voice, i didn't exactly take her for someone who would make a girl cry.

She looked over it, her face not changing. "This Painting looks as if it was painted by a dog with no legs, I would be disappointed if my little sister came home with this and shes five. I was really looking forward to good Art today but there is obviously no talent in this institute." she said looking me straight in the eye. I could've sworn i saw some emotion flash in her eyes, maybe regret or sadness but i couldn't tell because she turned and walked way.

Two other judges came over and talked to me patting my back but i didn't even bother to listen still thinking of what she had said and the emotion in her eyes.

There was more to her then most people knew and I planned to find out. The judges announced i was the winner and i smiled taking a few photos next to my picture before walking home with Jake.

"Sabrina, that girl, shes hiding something." Jake looked at me cocking a eyebrow "you're still thinking of her? I told you she was tough." he said and i shook my head. "Its just, her eyes didn't support what she said to me." He sighed "You look to deep into things, for once drop it, you don't have to know everything."

"i guess your right."

We walked the rest of the way home in silence and although I told her Jake I would drop the idea of Sabrina hiding a secret behind her eyes, in her soul, i just couldn't. I layed awake that night staring at the ceiling but only seeing her eyes. "Who are you?"