Control

A Memory, Part II

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The artist showcase was tomorrow and I was super nervous because I had never shown anyone my artwork before besides my mom and dad. This time though my parents were also unaware of what I had been working on because I was too embarrassed to show them before because I didn't want them to question anything. Venus told me that she was going to come and that Malakai said he wanted to tag along as well.

To be honest that is where most of my nerves were coming from. I didn't want him to think that I was weird because of the way I express myself through my art. I had been going to his tutoring sessions for the last few weeks. He ended up placing us in small groups of three to tutor and I was somewhat disappointed because I thought that he would give us one on one sessions. I can say though I thought I would still be struggling but I hate to say it Malakai is a great teacher. He takes his time with explaining everything and doesn't get frustrated if we get stuck on a problem for too long.

He is still pretty strict though and makes sure that we keep our focus at all times but never forgets to give us breaks when he sees that we are starting to become mentally drained. My grades so far have been improving and I have to remember to thank him when the semester is over. I try to push all thoughts of Malakai to the back of my head and continue to set up my area for the showcase. 

My parents were heading over here now. It was a two hour drive from our hometown and they left at 8 this morning and it was almost 10 so they should be here any minute now. Especially if my mom was driving because she always drove the car like she was in Nascar or something. Dad wasn't a fast driver, he always took his time. A few minutes later I got a text from my dad.

We just arrived at the hotel. See you later for dinner.

I smiled. I hadn't seen my parents since winter break and I missed them a lot. My mom made sure to call me every other day to "check in on me" but I knew it was because she missed me just as much. Dad would send me a text every week doing the same.

"Nyra." I looked back to see who was calling me and saw that it was my professor.

"Cecile. Hi" The professors in the art majors allowed their students to call them by their first names and I always thought that it was cool of them to do so. Cecile was my favorite professor so far because she never judged her students and allowed us to express ourselves however we deemed fit. She always gave her best advice and never tried to impose to make sure that your work stays just that, yours. I've heard of professors who would put their ideas in and make students change what they were working on based on their own ideals. I'm so glad that I didn't get any of them.

"I'm so excited for everyone to see what you are going to showcase. I know how hard you worked on this." I gave her a smile thinking back to all the times she gave her support even when I was in a slump and didn't think that my work was good enough.

"Thank you Cecile. I appreciate all the help and support you have given me this past year and I cannot wait to create more under your wing." She smiled at me and gave me a hug. I watched her go around and check on the other students. When I got done setting everything up I took a step back looking at my masterpiece. 

I was really proud of it because I put a lot of sweat and tears into it and I hoped that everyone could appreciate it just as much as I did. I sent a text to Venus to let her know that I have finished and I'm going to start heading over to the cafeteria so we could grab lunch together. We weren't able to hang out much because of finals coming up and the showcase. My phone dinged and I looked at it to see that she responded.

Okay heading over there now Malakai is going to join us again hope you don't mind.

I caught myself smiling at that last part and stopped immediately. If anyone was looking at me they would have thought that I was crazy. Malakai had been joining us for lunch quite often since the first time. I was starting to get used to seeing his face. Eventually I had told Venus that her brother had been tutoring me. I didn't think it was fair to leave her in the dark about it. She told me she didn't really care that much which I already knew that would be her response.