OFFSIDE

55

❝ They said, "Babe, you gotta fake it 'til you make it" and I did. ❞
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Elena's POV
I sit next to Catalina in the painting class, my fingers already smeared with a mix of colors. The room is filled with the scent of oil paints and the soft murmur of students deeply focused on their canvases. Catalina and I have become quite close since we started this class together. She's talented and always full of encouragement, making every session enjoyable.

Today, the atmosphere feels a bit different. There's a buzz in the air, an undercurrent of excitement that I can't quite place. Our teacher, Mrs. Ramirez, stands at the front of the room, a wide smile on her face as she looks over our work. Her presence is reassuring, a steady guide in our artistic journey.

"Elena, could you come here for a moment?" Mrs. Ramirez calls out, her voice warm and inviting.

I look at Catalina, who gives me an encouraging nod, and I stand up, wiping my hands on my apron. As I walk towards her, I notice other students glancing up, curious about what's happening. My heart beats a little faster with each step.

"Elena," Mrs. Ramirez begins, "I've been reviewing everyone's progress and I must say, your work this month has been exceptional."

I feel my cheeks flush with pride and surprise. "Thank you, Mrs. Ramirez."

She gestures to a small collection of my paintings displayed on the side. "Your use of color, the emotion you capture, it's truly remarkable. Because of this, I'm pleased to inform you that you've been selected as this month's top artist."

The room erupts into applause, and I can see Catalina clapping enthusiastically from her seat. I can hardly believe it. Mrs. Ramirez continues, "As the top artist, you'll have your own mini-exhibition tomorrow in the late afternoon. You can invite anyone you'd like to see your work on display."

"An exhibition?" I echo, a mix of excitement and nerves bubbling up inside me.

"Yes, an exhibition," Mrs. Ramirez confirms with a smile. "It's a wonderful opportunity to showcase your talent. I believe you'll inspire your peers and the community."

I nod, trying to process the information. "Thank you so much, Mrs. Ramirez. This means a lot to me."

After the announcement, I return to my seat next to Catalina, who immediately pulls me into a hug. "Elena, that's amazing! I'm so proud of you."

"Thanks, Cat. I can't believe it," I say, still a bit dazed. "I have to start thinking about who to invite."

"Obviously, Pablo will be there," Catalina says with a wink.

I nod, smiling at the thought. "Yeah, I hope he has time."

I promised to pick Pablo up from training later and watch the last part since Julieta is there too. Then I can immediately ask everyone if they want to come tomorrow. I hope they have time for that and enjoy it enough.

Catalina and I focus on our easels, the excitement of the upcoming exhibition still buzzing between us. She grins at me, her eyes sparkling with genuine pride and joy.

"Alright, superstar," she teases, "back to work. We have masterpieces to create."

I laugh, the sound light and free. It feels good to have something to celebrate, to look forward to. We pick up our brushes and resume painting, the familiar motions calming my nerves.

Catalina works on a landscape, her strokes bold and confident. She has a knack for capturing the essence of nature, making her scenes come alive with vibrant colors and intricate details. I glance at her canvas, admiring how the trees seem to sway in the breeze and the sky glows with a warm, golden hue.