Burning with the Breeze

7: The Painting

CHAPTER 7
[ The Painting ]

Aurora

The moon and stars gently receded from the sky. Their luminous glow fades into the early dawn. Streetlights still cast their soft, amber light across the quiet streets, while the sun lingered just out of sight, hidden behind the distant mountains.

Holding my bike, the icy morning air immediately greeted me as I stepped out of our wooden gate. I made sure to wear a mask to ensure that my allergic rhinitis won't be triggered by the cold weather.

It's Saturday morning. Two days before the art fair.

I positioned my bike in the middle of the misty alley, turned on the headlight, and pedaled toward the site of the mystifying and picturesque Manhattan's lighthouse.

After staying at Dawson's veranda last night, I eventually thought of our art project in Mr. Castro's class and considered the lighthouse as the most suitable subject that I could use as a reference to create an artwork.

Aside from its popularity and stunning architecture, it also holds significant historical value as it has been standing with resiliency and strength for decades. It also witnessed the different eras of the place as well as the tales of the folks who had resided and are residing here.

The lighthouse is situated in the middle of the vast flower and vegetable fields. There's also a small lake surrounded by trees nearby. No wonder why staying there feels so peaceful and refreshing.

I plan on capturing the view of the lighthouse with the fresh and vibrant sunrise serving as the background.

The art fair will commence on Monday and I have little to no time to get annoyed at my unbothered groupmates who don't want to work with me. While I still don't understand how they can manage to sleep at night with unfinished schoolwork, I decided to let go of the thought to avoid stress.

I parked my bike near the fence beside the entrance of the lighthouse. The lighthouse stood open to all residents. It's free for anyone seeking solace.

As I ascended on the stairs approaching the view deck, I couldn't help but ponder about Dawson's words last night. I didn't expect that my existence would still mean to him somehow. I really thought he does not value me anymore, as well as the friendship that we shared before.

It's nice tho that our parents kind of forced us to bond for some time last night. Dawson and I had a great conversation mostly about reminiscing our childhood memories in the village. Like the time when we were raising chickens in our backyards. Unfortunately, one of our chickens pricked his arm which caused his arm to bleed. Because of that incident, our parents mutually agreed to cease our mini poultry operations.

I laughed while approaching the fifth floor of the lighthouse.

I was about to take another step when I heard someone humming a song from the other side of the lighthouse. I paused for a moment, trying to figure out who it could be. I glanced in the direction where the humming came from, and saw smoke coming from the other side. It had a scent like cola.

Seconds later, I heard the person singing.

I walked across an empty land
I knew the pathway like the back of my hand
I felt the earth beneath my feet
Sat by the river and it made me complete