Portraits [On Hold]

Chapter 2- First Day

"Stop panicking. You'll be fine," Blue said, a hint of annoyance in her voice.

I looked at her and gave her an apologetic look.

"Sorry I'm being over dramatic. It's just I just started thinking about all the other people who are going. There's probably going to be some amazing artists there and-"

"Well you're pretty amazing too, otherwise they wouldn't have picked you. You're going to do great. Just go do what you love and stop worrying about everyone else," she interrupted, giving me a reassuring smile.

I sighed, realizing maybe I did need to calm down.

"I guess you're right. I'm probably worrying too much," I admitted, swinging my bag over my shoulder.

That was one of my biggest problems. In general, I wasn't really an insecure person at all. Most of the time, I couldn't care less about what people thought of me. I lived my life simply and mostly only worried about being a better me, rather than trying to live up to other people's standards. However, when it came to art, I was a completely different person.

Art was basically the only thing I was really good at, and if I wasn't good enough at it, I feared I would get nowhere in life. Without art, all I could see myself doing was being a stay-at-home mother who only painted in her free time and did nothing big with it. Now, don't take this the wrong way. I have nothing against stay-at-home moms. It's just not something I wanted to become.

I had dreams and aspirations. I was an ambitious person, and not getting anywhere with the only talent I had felt like a sin to me. Letting something like that go to waste pained me more than anything in the world. So, when I thought of all the amazing people who could be better than me, I couldn't help but feel scared.

I have to admit I'm pretty good at it, but I still had no idea what was coming my way. I wanted to win this competition more than anything. It was my one chance to prove to the world that I had what it took.

"Yeah, a little," she said, letting out a light chuckle. "Now, let's go. Show them what June Love is all about."

--

When we arrived, I excitedly walked in and was astonished by all the art in the room. It was literally like artists' paradise. There were famous pieces of art everywhere; it made me feel as if I had no right to be in such place. The fact the winner of the course would have their work hung up in this room was almost unreal to me.

"Do you see this place? Blue, this is too good to be true," I commented dreamily, still awed at what was before my eyes.

I noticed two specific pieces of abstract art hung up on the wall; they stood out from the rest. They were hung side by side, each canvas covered in loud and vibrant colorful strokes. There was so much going on in each one that you couldn't really make out what exactly the artist had tried to make. They were the kind of paintings that each pair of eyes sees differently. There wasn't a specific image to decipher—it was just what your mind made of it.

That was what I loved about abstract art. I considered it my favorite type of art, even though I wasn't born with the talent to make it myself. It just intrigued me.

"Yeah yeah, but we gotta hurry. You're already late." She brought me back to reality, pointing at the clock on the wall.

My eyes widened.

It was already 8:03am and the class started at 8:00am. What a great way to give a first impression. Late on the first day.