Part Of Him | Park Seonghwa

Chapter 8

We're all gathered here, outside. We wait patiently for everyone. As officers were anticipated to tell us their plan for this afternoon.  "Okay, so our first activity would be for art students, visual art students, to be specific." John announced, and earn a bunch of chatter from the students. "But, everyone will participate for voting, understood?"

"Yes!"

"We have extra materials here, guys for those who was not informed to bring any." Hyeobin, our auditor announce, and took out some canvases with painting sets. "Any sizes would do, and we have more activity for different courses guys, so we'll have fun." Everybody cheer. We only have two days and one night here, so tomorrow evening we'll be back home.

They called out all participants for this field, so I step forward along with Dorothy. And we didn't expect to see Bea, participate. Hongjoong on the other side, watching us. Probably thinking we'll do something to his girlfriend. I would never stoop that low. We're given instruction that we can roam around to look for a subject, so I find the river along with Dorothy. Nara and Charlotte go with us, saying they want to see our work, even they're not allowed.

I place down my my canvas, put out the brushes, pallet and the acrylic paints. I started with one gentle stroke, until my last stroke of brush to finish my work. Before anything,  I asked Charlotte to sit in front, facing the river, so I have my main subject on the canvas. "Done~" I singsong and smile at my work.

"Wow, I won't vote guys." Nara told us, and we're taken aback to what she said. "I like both of your paintings, I can't choose." She admitted and smile awkwardly. I'm not used with that side of her, probably because I'm too used to her, looking so sassy.

"Me either." Charlotte shrugged. I smiled at Dorothy who did the same. Her art is more focus to something specific. It was the river. That's where her art is focus on. If you'll make a comparison, it was like the river representing only her could tell. So when all arts are dried, the officers pile it side by side, among each paintings, only my art consisting a person. They didn't tell who paint the specific painting for fair vote. They said it would be bias, for some. And we're not allowed to speak either until the voting ended.

I'm nervous. Dorothy hold my hand. "We did our best." She mutter. And I nodded, I really want to win. Because I want to show my art on an expedition. The officers started to count the votes. And as what Nara and Charlotte said, they didn't vote.

"So guys, we have two winners," Yunho announce, he's more excited than us. "So we conclude to have two 1st placer." Then they started to attached the vote on the lower part of the canvas, with the rank on it.

"You're number 1!" Dorothy told me, she's so happy, bouncing to her feet. She hugged me saying she's proud of me. I look at the arts in front and saw my art, it have number one on it, and 23 votes. Beside mine, was Dorothy's, she's third, 18 votes, but the votes not too far from the second with 19 votes.

They told us to come over the paintings, and stand behind it. Some showed they were surprised to see the person behind, but some didn't. They were just smiling. Unintentionally, I glance at Seonghwa and saw him smiling at me, throwing thumbs up. He mouthed, "I'm proud of you." Then clap. I smiled. What's going on. I felt like my cheeks are warm. My heart ponder over my chest.

"Morgan! I voted your piece, I knew it's yours, you're the best!" One of my classmate shouted, and I laugh. He's one of those who paid me to do their projects. They know how to paint, they're good, but they're lazy. Beside me, the other one who got the same vote was Jiyoon, then second is Bea, then next Morgan.

We are ten participants in total. After announcing the winner, they all give our certificate and told us, about the expedition. Dorothy don't care about it, she really don't. Because her is, to paint and convey her emotion to people using her art work. While me, I aim to get my name known for my art. It's my pride.

After that, there are more activity. But I refused to participate anymore, while Dorothy and Nara participated. Charlotte, she's not fond of activity, except if it include kids. I don't like kids, that's our diversity. She likes kid, I don't like them. They're handful.

As the dusk came, they now wrapped up for dinner, everyone decided to go order a food. While me and Charlotte, stayed in our cabin. Yeri is out to go with the rest of the officers, while Dorothy and Nara said they'll be back. Charlotte brought a food, that we forgot to eat, because of the free meal, and before I forget, I haven't eat the food yet. I smelled it and it's still good so I'll finish it right now.

There was a knock on our door, Charlotte went to open it. I look up as I'm on the floor, and Nara holding a paper bag, she put it down, and there are more to Charlotte and Dorothy. With a mouthful I speak. "You guys bought a lot." As I expected, Charlotte give me disgusted look.

"I told you, don't talk when you're mouth is full." Nara agreed. I know these two would teamed up against me. I chew the food, and narrow my eyes on them.

Nara handed me two paper bags, and I'm confused and curious at the same time. I get it and put down the spoon I'm holding. "What are these?" I asked, while opening bags.

"Oh my gosh, of course it's food, what else." Charlotte snap again. I took a deep breath reminding myself where I am.

"It's from your lover boy." With the bitter taste on her tongue, Nara chin pointed the bag on my hand. "So sweet, gosh. I'm jealous." With a visible pout, Nara took out her cutlery and the foods they bought. Charlotte and Dorothy chuckle. "Stop making fun of me, I'm still heartbroken."

I took out what's inside the bag, and my goodness. My mouth starting to become watery. "Waaaaah!" I exclaimed. I got too excited, I forgot it's hot. "Aww." I winced. I almost drop it, I'm so stupid. Glad Nara is quick to act. She manage to hold it, and put it down ripping the paper.

"Geez, be careful next time." Nara told me in concerned.

"Just because it's from Seonghwa, you can be so clumsy there. He's not here to save your ass." Oh my gosh? What on earth is she talking about???? I wanted to cry.

Nara laugh at me. "Okay, even I got heartbroken earlier, that's funny. I love Charlotte already." She giggled and devoured her food. Wow, this girl has big bites. But what does she mean heartbroken?

"Why?" Dorothy asked. She's started already. I'm sure she's so hungry right now, she didn't eat anything this morning. As I wait for Nara, I opened the lid of the plastic container. The smell. So appetizing.

"What is that? It smells so good." All of them hum at the same time. I chuckle and open the rest of the food. "Wait, it's porridge? Your favorite! Wow..." Charlotte's lips parted and taste the soup before me. Then the two followed. "This is crazy, how did Seonghwa know about it?"

"Well, we're friends so..." I have no other thing to say. Because that's the reason, we're friends, we hang out a lot with Hongjoong and our two more friends, Alexis and Jonghan. They are taking law, on a far university, so I can't hang out with them again. I would love to introduce them to these three. We shared many things about each other, including our favorites.

"So it's true?" We all glanced at Nara, whose looking at the wall. She's munching when she turn her head on us. "So I told you guys I'm heartbroken right?" We nodded. "It's because, I'm sure Morgan know, she saw me tried to flirt with Seonghwa. And you know when we're left alone..." Does she think this is a thrilling movie?

"Nara, I'm telling you, just say it right away because my patience is not worth of dealing with." Charlotte warned her.

"Geez, okay-okay," she laugh. "So impatient. Seonghwa told me, I should look for someone else, because he already likes someone. He likes a friend he knew since highschool, and that is Morgan. I didn't believe him though, I thought he's only using Morgan as an excuse so I would stop, I guess he's telling the truth." My jaw dropped. Seonghwa like me?!! As in for real? No way.

"You got to be kidding me." I utter in disbelief. It feels like I'm struck by lightning. That can't be real. I mean—Seonghwa? He like me? Why do I feel happy? I should be sad, I'm still hurt about Hongjoong. But why do I feel ... Happy.

"Oh my gosh!" Dorothy exclaimed, snapping me back to reality. "She's smiling! Did you guys saw it?"

"Yeah we did." And they snort. They were pointing my face. They were having so much fun about me, smiling like a fool. So am I over Hongjoong now?