Work of Art

Chapter 31

Nick took a few more days off from working on her mural, needing time to... well, if she was honest, she didn't really understand what she needed time to do, she just couldn't stand the thought of stepping into the hospital. So, a couple of days turned into a week, and then a little over a week. Soon enough it was the first day of December and she couldn't put it off any longer. It had been in her original proposal to have the mural finished by winter break, which left her 19 whole days to wrap up. So deadline in mind, she pulled up to the hospital after school, painting bag in hand.

It was getting to be uncomfortably cold outside, the air biting and bringing a flush to her cheeks and a tingling to her toes. Forks was never sunny, but the winter months always proved to be especially dreary.

"Nick!" Grace greeted cheerily as Nick stepped through the front doors. "It's great to see you again!" the kind woman told her. "I've been waiting to tell you about the nicest compliment you got from this elderly couple the other day. They absolutely adore the work you're doing."

Nick grinned at Grace's words. One of her favorite things about art was the effect it has on others. Plus, she never minded a little validation either.

Taking a mint, she walked over toward the wall once more. She had forgotten she had wrapped up all of the sea creatures that were reachable from her standing height, and therefore required a ladder. However, a ladder seemed like such an annoying task for the day so she trekked to the janitor's closet to explore.

Carlisle's nose had alerted him of the girl's presence as soon as she had stepped in through the front doors. He groaned, trying to focus on his paperwork until he had to see a patient in twenty minutes.

Down the hallway, Nick was rooting through the closet, happy to discover a smaller step ladder. There were just two steps on it, but it would give her just enough height to complete the first coat of the whale's looming form and a few other creatures on the same level. Perfect, she thought as she grabbed it and a bluish-gray quart of paint.

It was as she was walking back down the hall that she began to feel uncomfortable. An unpleasant feeling filled her chest. It had been over a week since she last felt the tug. It wasn't as pronounced as usual; it didn't pull her forward. Instead, it settled as a dull ache. Shaking it off, she pushed away the feeling and got to work.

The next day was much the same. After school, Nick took the drive to the hospital, facing the bitter cold as soon as she stepped out of her car. Once again she was practically frozen as she walked in and accepted a mint from Grace with a smile. And once again, as soon as she stepped foot inside, the dull ache returned. Yes, it was a bit disconcerting to the girl, but she had only 18 days left to work for fucks sake, so she convinced herself she'd bother with the sensation after she was finished. So, she spent the afternoon and into the night adding a second coat with more details to the whale.

Carlisle once again spent the afternoon shut in his office working on finalizing his research proposal, only leaving the windowless room when required of him.

It became a sort of routine. Nick going to the hospital after school, getting the little step ladder, putting in her headphones, and working until around 6 when she had to return home for dinner, not to mention homework. Teachers never were kind enough to cut back on homework as exam season began.

The ache had become nearly unnoticeable, Nick so used to its daily presence. That is, until the following week.

She was down to 10 days left to work. Nick was truly excited with her progress and she could say with a certainty that the end was in sight. She had been in to the hospital all but one day in the past week and was determined to make it in every day this week.