Work of Art- KNJ

deux | two

It had been about a month since Aerie was at the Art Academy of Ilsan, which meant it had also been a month of Namjoon picking her up.

"Remember that oil painting I told you I was doing?" Aerie asked her uncle.

"The one of the man you said was in your dream?" Namjoon asked, keeping his eyes on the road but having his attention towards Aerie.

"Bingo! Eonni said there's an art gala where young aspiring artists can show off their work and get noticed by big people in the art world." The girl explained. "She asked me if I wanted to present it along with artwork made by other students there but I don't think it's good enough." She was upset at herself about it.

"I doubt it isn't good enough Aerie, I say you should go for it. You never know, maybe your super cool uncle could help you out with getting the recognition you deserve." Namjoon tried to persuade the girl beside him.

"I'll do it, it'll be nice if even one person stops and looks at it." Aerie started. "I worked really hard on it but I tried a new style." She let out a deep sigh. "I'm kinda regretting that now."

"Why are you regretting it? Aerie don't be so hard on yourself. So many great artists are well known for their unique style and you could be the next."

"I guess you're right. I'll tell eonni tomorrow that I'm in. She said I had until Thursday to make up my mind." The girl looked out the window with a saddened expression.

"Cheer up, if you end up not liking the whole exhibition thing, you don't have to do it again. Right now just try it out. I'll be there with you." He encouraged.

"You will?"

"I wouldn't miss it for the world. We'll see if your parents can make it too so we can all be there for you." Joon said, thinking to himself how he could arrange for his sister and brother-in-law to attend for his niece.

"Can Taehyung come too?" The question slipped while she looked up at Namjoon with innocent eyes.

"I'll let him know as soon as we get home." He reassured his niece who smiled at the thought. Aerie knew that Namjoon's and Taehyung's jobs were more flexible than those of her parents. Although she would love for her parents to be there, she knew it may not happen and she was okay with that.

"Thank you." She said softly.

"Anything for you kid, let's go inside." He said, pulling into his driveway.

The two walked in and as usual, Aerie sat at the dining table to do her homework while Namjoon was either on his laptop in the living room, or replying to important emails and messages in the study. It was relatively quiet unless Aerie requested to play music. Namjoon was fine working either way, in silence or with some type of noise in the background. But he wanted Aerie to be in the best environment for herself so he always complied if she wanted it to be silent or with something playing.

- Thursday

"Okay, so for those of you with work being displayed at the art gala, remember that this is a black tie event so dress accordingly." Soohyun began. "Everyone is allowed to attend but if you're one of the few displaying your work, please be there at 5:30. Event starts at six sharp." Soohyun was explaining what was to be expected and gave everyone directions and a run down of how the evening would play out. "You're allowed to invite anyone you would like to have there. Saturday night at 6:00, please don't forget." She repeated one last time.

Aerie was beyond nervous. She knew that when her uncle would critique her work he always gave her high ratings. He never gave her anything below an eight. Even though he was an art critic, he was also her uncle and didn't want to kill her dreams. What Aerie didn't know was that all of Namjoon's reviews were unbiased. She was absolutely incredible and gifted. Art was her element. It was what she was born to do. Aerie wanted to make him and her parents proud.