Sincerely yours, Viviana

Different

In her studio for the last time before the gala, Ana was finishing her piece. It had taken her just over two weeks to get the finished result she wanted, and she was ecstatic with it. Her hands were covered with all the dark toned oil paints and her painting station was a mess, but the smile on her face wouldn't fade. Adora walked into the studio, with two coffee cups, as usual.

"Ah, Grazie." Ana took the cup and sipped on it gleefully. Adora however, didn't move as she gaped at her friends painting.

"Ana, this is insane! This is going to blow people away, it will go for at least a thousand. I'm sure of it."

"I don't know about that, Addy. But it's definitely my best work." Adora slung her arms around Ana's shoulders from behind.

"And is that little hues of green I see in there? It contrasts nicely against the dark, black areas." Adora looked at Ana with a knowing smile.

"What? What do you mean?" Ana walked closer to her canvas, leaning in, looking for the green details. But, there next to the dark shadows, was splashes of green. A deep forest green that was becoming too familiar. "Oh mio dio. I didn't even realise."

"Mhm." Adora hummed, a smirk growing on her face. "Speaking of deep green forests..."

"Addy..." Ana groaned. "Please, please drop this?"

Adora took her friend's hand. "God, Ana. If you had only seen the way he looked at you that night..."

"Addy, I've told you. It isn't anything, he would never have any real interest in me. He just doesn't want to see me get hurt, just like any other human being. Even if he did, we could never be anything."

"You are delusional if you truly believe that, Ana. I've known Elijah for years now, I've never seen him act that way with any girl. It's usually just a quick fuck for him and that's it."

"That's reassuring." Ana rolled her eyes as she continued looking at her canvas. "But it just proves my point. Elijah is Elijah, and I'm..."

"One of the kindest, compassionate, strongest, beautiful people that has ever walked these entitled halls?"

"Me. Addy, I'm me." Ana tried to explain. "I have school to focus on anyway, I don't have the time to even entertain the idea."

"You deserve more than you give yourself, Ana. But regardless," Adora sighed. "I'm so proud of you."

"Thank you, Addy. For everything." Ana put down her coffee and turned around, hugging her closest friend tightly.

"Anything for my best girl."

Miss Drewberry, walked into the studio as the two girls were hugging. She smiled at their friendship before, turning to Ana's canvas. "My goodness Miss De Lucia. This is..."

"Extraordinary, a masterpiece, incredible?..." Adora supplied the words for the teacher.

"A marvel." Miss Drewberry turned towards her student, a large smile on her face. "It's exquisite, Ana. Truly. I have no doubt in my mind it will raise a large sum in the Gala's auction."

"I hope so." Ana was so pleased that her teacher was impressed. Somehow, it made her feel more validated, like she really did deserve the scholarship that was given to her.

"Let's get it framed, so I can take teaser photos to put on the Gala website."

After photos were taken by a very enthusiastic art teacher, Ana quickly washed her hands off and grabbed her things from her locker, making her way to the workshop. Today, she wanted to mix things up with the students. Instead of doing the usual worksheets, which Ana could tell they were getting bored of, she had planned a group activity for them to do which hopefully would be much more exciting and interactive for them.