Picture Perfect | k.th

Chapter 9

Sohee POV

"I'm not sure Sohee. The artist wanted to remain anonymous for a reason," Professor Nam said awkwardly.

"You already gave me his email...can't you just gently nudge him?" I pleaded.

The next time I had seen Professor Nam after the painting club reunion, I begged him to give me the anonymous artist's email or some way to contact him. I tried to hide it under the guise that I was intrigued that he wanted to hear my opinion on the metaphorical meaning of his piece and wanted to discuss it. It took a lot of convincing to get Professor Nam to even give me his email, but I pulled some dramatic act about trying to better my artistic knowledge to accomplish my dreams. Thankfully, the guy likes me a lot so he gave it to me.

But the problem was I had sent the email to our artist friend over a week ago, and he still hadn't gotten back to me. And of course, Jin was starting to get on my case again and the others were starting to doubt me. Desperate times called for desperate measures. I was doing this for Taehyung and maybe that Jungkook kid, but that was about it.

"Sohee, I gave it to you. If he didn't respond, he probably doesn't want to meet you. He could've said those things out of courtesy, not because he actually desired to meet you," he sighed.

"Ouch, Professor. I think the guy has an artist's soul and its begging to be challenged by my ideas. This is the only way art can be spread is if it's talked about. Talking about art gives it meaning and life. How else could I ever become a curator if I don't start here with the people around me?" I challenged.

He rubbed his temples, "Sohee, I value your dream, I really do. You're a wonderful student and I can tell how much art means to you. But I can't just assume that someone who wished to remain anonymous will drop everything for you."

I looked up at him with doe eyes, hands clasped together, "Please, just try. If it doesn't work out, I'll give up...but please please try."

He merely sighed, looking at me hopelessly before relenting hesitantly. If I was a puppy in my last life...it carried over.

"Thank you!" I chirped merrily, happily bouncing out of the hall, feeling much more hopeful.

I checked my watch, realizing I was about fifteen minutes late to meeting Taehyung at our spot. We had started working different shifts for Cinnamint Café and his shift happened to be right after his advanced art class so we usually met after in the grassy part of the campus for a mini-friend date every time.

I rushed outside to find him under our tree, the wind carelessly tousling his already messy hair. But he sat there without a care in the world, his face buried in a sketchbook. I took a moment to observe him. He seemed so peaceful. So human. He always was going to be no matter how he was conceived, but I knew part of me always felt guilty for almost assimilating him away from himself. I didn't have much else to do, but it still lingered in my mind that I may have done something he didn't want. And yet, looking at him from afar, yeah he looked too picture perfect to be real. But he was just there living and breathing like the rest of us. It shouldn't make a difference.

Finally, I jogged over, gently kicking his leg to notify him I was here.

He looked up with his cheeky rectangular grin, instantly scooting from under the tree.

"You're late...which means that I get to lay in your lap today," he reminded.

I chuckled, "I suppose I could make space there."

I situated myself under the tree, softly gasping when his head instantly collapsed on my lap. He got comfortable quite quickly, resting his head in the groove of my legs. His eyes were shining radiantly as they looked into mine. The golden rays from the sun hit him at the perfect angle, illuminating him angelically.

"So what book are we reading today?" He hummed comfortably.

"I grabbed a poetry book from Haru's shelf. I figured we could explore what I think is the finest type of literature," I grinned.

He settled in my lap, listening blissfully as I recited the various poems in the book. I tried to give each of them their own voice to give the meaning its due justice.

But this was the beauty of art. I loved art so much because the umbrella encompassed so much. There were so many various forms of expression that let a person express their desires and feelings. I was biased to physical art perhaps, but music and literature were equally as beautiful. Art deserved to be held on a pedestal for its freedom. Art was liberating.

My hands fondled with Taehyung's brown locks as I read, lulling him in my lap.

In my periphery, I could see him face and how he was looking absently at the world with endless curiosity. My heart thrummed knowingly in my chest. It was warning me of the dangers of getting too close. Icarus flew too close to the sun and paid the price for it. I couldn't make the same mistake.

To be a hopeless romantic who's shunned themselves away from true romance must be a mythical creature. To love affection and adoration but hide away from it. To go after what they want, but back away when they are wanted.

It was a cruel game that my mind played on me.

"Sohee?" Taehyung said after some time.

"Hmm? You getting bored of these?" I chuckled.

"Oh no, not at all. I love them. I think these poems might be my favorite thing you've shown me," he said.

"That's good to hear. Then if it's not that, what?"

"Do you think my—our—creator wants to see us. Do you think perhaps the reason why they aren't answering you is because we were mistakes? Like they see us as monsters? Are they even aware that we are alive?" He rambled.

His concern was understandable. This artist was essentially all of the boys' parent in a way. There was some animosity towards them, but there was mainly curiosity. Desire. Longing. Peter Pan and the lost boys were okay without adults, but perhaps they longed deep down for the one that understood them.

I tousled his hair, watching his chest rise and fall with curious breaths.

"I can't say I know that for sure. Your relationship is complicated. But people have complicated relationships with their families. What you all need may not be a relationship, but closure. If you can get a relationship too, even better. More than anything, you have to know who you truly are before you can grow into who you'll become. But the contradiction in that statement is that you don't really need to know who you are. People get by without having a clue about themselves. The methods of life are tricky and pretty over complicated if you ask me. It's why I like living on the edge. Because it's not complicated to enjoy yourself."

He stared into my eyes for a bit, drawing me with his illustrious gaze. It was like I was stuck in a spell. He knew how to trap me and that scared me.

"I hope they look at me the way you do," he hummed.

I sighed, stroking his hair, "I'm not sure that's quite possible. The look I have for you is special. And don't forget it."

My phone buzzed, pulling us from the intoxicating and dangerous lull of each other.

I quickly checked the notification irritatedly, but my jaw dropped when I saw what it was.

Dear Miss Sohee,

Your teacher emailed me, urging me of your eagerness. I admit I hadn't seen your message prior, but I can see your desire as a young art lover and your passion reminds me much of my own.

I would love to have you over to my place to discuss the question I proposed and I'd also love to meet your fellow art lover friends. I'm sure many questions will be answered as a result.

My address is xxxx. Come by this weekend at any time!

Looking forward to seeing you,
H

"T-Tae," I stammered in excitement. "We're going to meet the person you created all of you!"