𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐕𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞

Chapter 13- Keys

Irie

Of course the damn sun decides to be as hot as an oven the day I had to wear a turtleneck to cover the hickeys Kyle had left on me the night before. I swore I wouldn't be able to walk the next day which was right.

I woke up sore, having to skip 2 classes and in the middle of Art history class, I kept thinking about last night, a classmate startled me by tapping my shoulder to tell me that the class was over. I missed 45 minutes worth of notes.

My body was burning underneath the turtleneck, it wasn't even that warm the way I'm exaggerating it but I was madly uncomfortable and suffocating, the fabric was clinging onto my damp skin.

I wanted to get out of it right away but couldn't because the universe loves playing with me, my class and I were on a small trip to the local art gallery. It was a 15 minute walk from campus but it felt like walking for 15 hours with the sun flaming hot right above me.

"You look like you are about to faint or something" Eliza, my classmate, who now is a good friend of mine, said with a concerning and teasing grin.

"Thanks for pointing it out Liz, I am indeed one degree away from melting into a puddle" I shot her a playful glare, wiping the beads of perspiration from my forehead.

As we turned the magnificent building came into view. Its grandeur was unrivaled, with intricate stone carvings adorning the entrance and large glass windows showcasing glimpses of vibrant paintings inside. The gallery seemed to emanate an aura of creativity, drawing us closer with each step.

Entering the cool, air-conditioned space felt like stepping into an oasis in the scorching desert. The relief washed over me as I felt the temperature drop, soothing my overheated skin. The gallery was a sanctuary of tranquility, a respite from the relentless 'summer' like heat outside.

We were welcomed by a polite man, probably in his early thirties. He wore a well tailored suit, dark brown hair, his blue eyes sparkling, he guided us through the exhibits, his knowledge of the pieces evident in the way he spoke about them with passion and reverence.

As we wandered from one masterpiece to another, I couldn't help but feel grateful for the chance to escape the oppressive heat and immerse myself in the beauty of human creativity.

Mr. Johnson, my Art History professor said that we can take the time to go around the gallery and find a piece that caught our eye, we have to investigate it and submit our thoughts about it in the next class. That meant that I'll have to do either a presentation on it or just simply hand in a report. I prayed for it to be the latter. I absolutely did not want to go in front of the vast room and speak infront of people. Although the chances were low.

Liz and I strolled through the gallery taking our time to explore the various artworks on display. As we wandered, I couldn't help but feel a bit overwhelmed by the thought of having to present it or write a report on a single piece. The pressure mounted as I struggled to find something that truly spoke to me.

After what felt like an eternity of wandering, a particular painting caught my eye. It was a striking portrait, full of emotion and depth. I stood in front of it, mesmerized, trying to decipher its meaning and significance.

It was painted in 1777, Liz noticed my captivation and came over to join me.

"What do you think?" She asked curiously.

"I think this painting is incredibly powerful. The way the artist has captured the subject's expression and posture seems to convey a sense of...". My answer trailed off as I struggled to find proper choices of words.

"It looks like you already have the assignment half way done." She said looking at me with a supportive smile.

After more strolling and glancing around the gallery, the professor ended the day short giving us the rest of the afternoon for further exploration and to begin our reports.