Songbird [H.S]

THIRTY-FOUR

This is a double update so if you haven't read chapter 33 yet, go read it first!!

The 20th of December was a date that caused an incredible amount of stress for Harry.

It was the date of the Christmas showcase at his college, a chance for him to show off his natural talent and beautiful art to a bunch of people, including some very important gallery curators that could help kickstart the teenager's career as an artist.

Understandably, Harry was desperate to produce his best work to put on display. It had been his dream ever since he completed his first proper painting to have his own art gallery one day and he was determined to make that happen. Therefore, the past few months had been solely focused on his submissions for the showcase - spending any spare minute locked in his makeshift art studio at his Mum's house. When Anne heard Harry needed a place to continue painting, she was more than happy to let him convert his old bedroom into a studio he could use any hour of the day.

Harry's routine had been completely taken over by thoughts of painting. When he wasn't at work or college, his days consisted of painting into the early morning, tears of frustration and frequent naps to make up on the lack of sleep. Marley was very understanding that Harry needed to do this for himself, accepting that she wouldn't be seeing him very often until the showcase was over. Her parents had helped her with converting Louis's old bedroom in a nursery for Josie. Considering the intense amount of pressure and stress the past two months had been for the couple, there had been very little strain on their relationship. Both teenagers knew that the time was difficult for each other in different ways so fighting against that would only make it worse. They allowed themselves to have the space they needed while being ready to comfort each other when they were ready.

After two long months, it was finally the 20th of December and Harry was the proudest he'd ever been over his work.

The teenager's work always carried a sense of himself, usually by picking up elements of his emotions at the time his painting was being created. No matter what he depicted, hints of Harry always shone through. This is what inspired the mini collection currently hanging on the white plaster walls for every visitor to admire.

When Josephine died, Harry had shut himself away and painted. His creativity became a distraction from his pain and some of his best work was made. With no deadline or brief, Harry had nothing to hold him back. He was able to work through his emotions on the canvas in front of him - exposing the most vulnerable and intimate parts of himself for everyone to see. It was why he refused to let people see what he was working on during that difficult time.

Now he was in a better place mentally, Harry chose to refine and adapt some of the canvases that had been collecting dust over the months since Josephine's death as he knew that the creative freedom had given his work a sense of individuality. It told a story. 

The boy stood proudly by his work, watching as people walked by to admire his talent and waiting to answer any questions people might have. He was dressed in his smartest clothes, a navy cable knit jumper he found at the charity shop was pulled over a freshly ironed collared shirt. His smart trousers were a little small but he couldn't afford to buy new ones and his freshly polished shoes were borrowed from Niall. None of that mattered though, he'd made the effort and seemed to be making a very good first impression.

"Who knew you were actually a good artist, pretty boy." A familiar voice grabbed his attention from across the room, followed by numerous footsteps as a group of people approached his section.

The sight of his friends coming to support him made the boy burst with joy, a huge smile tugging at his lips as he excitedly went to greet them. His Mum, unfortunately, had to work so she couldn't come to show her support but having his friends there for him was just as special.