The painted canvas (rewritten version)

"I've always liked art."

Nathan approached his father's office, his steps gentle yet firm. With a soft voice, he spoke, "Excuse me, father."

His father replied with a scowl on his face, his tone stotic. "What do you want?"

Nathan swallowed hard as he extended the letter to his father, his pulse quickening. "Here,"

His father's eyes scanned the letter, his expression hardening as he read the words. "For the love of God," he said, his tone almost eerily calm, yet dripping with disappointment. "Why visual arts?"

"I like arts," he answered, his voice laced with defense. "Is there something wrong with that?"

His father's response was immediate, "I'll tell you after I know what course Jiehong is going to."

Nathan's jealousy intensified, his thoughts filled with frustration. "Jiehong again," he grumbled. "It's always him. The world seems to revolve around him."

"You know. I could expect it from a dumb child like you. But if Jiehong's going to, I don't mind" His father says, Nathan was jealous by him. If not Jiehong, he'll compare him with someone else.

Nathan gritted his teeth, his jaw clenching. The sting of his father's words was almost too much to bear, digging at his self-worth like razor-sharp claws.

"But for you," his father continued, his gaze hardening, "I expected more. Yet you disappoint me at every turn."

Nathan's heart ached, the weight of his father's disapproval weighing heavily on his shoulders. He longed for acceptance, but instead, he was constantly held up to an impossible standard.

"Okay." Nathan responded with a frown, his father sighs "I can't believe you Nathan. You always smile and look happy at school, but here, you're litterly a pain at the butt." His father remarked with a disproval look.

"I'm sorry, father," Nathan muttered, hoping this time the sincerity in his voice would be enough.

His father looked up from his phone, reading a message. "Alright," he said, surprising Nathan. "I approve your visual arts course."

A wave of relief washed over Nathan. Finally, he had his father's approval. It was a feeling he hadn't experienced in a long time, and it felt like a small victory in the face of his father's constant criticism.

"Really?" Nathan asked with a surprised look, a small smile tug on his lips. "Yes. Now go, I'm busy." His father responded.

As Nathan walked away from his father's office, a sense of satisfaction washed over him. He quickly pulled out his phone to text his best friend, Kayden, about the news.

His father's voice suddenly caught his attention as he typed. "He better be like Jiehong, or better," the words echoed. "I can't have a son who's dumb and unsuccessful. Such a disgrace."

Nathan froze in his tracks, the words like a dagger to his heart. No matter what he did, he'd never measure up to Jiehong in his father's eyes.

With a pang of self-awareness, Nathan acknowledged his lack of academic prowess. He knew 87s were his best, yet Jiehong effortlessly pulled off 95s, excelling in every subject and aspect of life.

"He's perfect," Nathan thought, a mix of envy and admiration bubbling within him. "Jiehong is everything I could never be."

Nathan's thoughts were interrupted by a notification on his phone. His heart skipped a beat when he read the message from Jiehong.

"Hey! Your father said we should play chess together," it read, the words almost mockingly innocent. "Let's hang out."

Inwardly, Nathan rolled his eyes. "Acting like a saint," he thought bitterly. He knew Jiehong was likely playing along with his father's wishes.