Masterpiece

Chapter 1

I was five when I realized my mom hated art. I always knew in the back of my mind, but this is when the sudden realization hit me.
I had just finished one of my famous finger paintings. It was a gorgeous blotch of red and green and of course I was proud.

So, like any excited little girl I went to show my mommy so she could pat me on my back and smile and tell me to make another, because that's just what normal mothers do. But not mine.

She plastered a fake smile on her face, examining the piece of paper. She tried to cover up her dislike of the creation by telling me I should've been cleaning my room. She set it down on the coffee table and sent me to my room.
But little did she know, I was hanging around the corner watching her throw it away, her ageless face pleased with the action.

In a word I was heartbroken, but of course I'm alright now. I guess.

-

I shut my locker, ready for summer. Finally, the end of senior year.
The graduation ceremony was a success. Everyone in their cap and gown and smiles. I thought of the picture with me and my parents happily posing amidst a frame.

School officials had managed to set aside a day for seniors to clean out their lockers, which would've been better before graduation.
I had finally cleaned out all my junk, which wasn't a lot anyway.

I start down the hall, when Victoria crashes into me from some unknown location.
"Oh my gosh, how excited are you about summer?"
I look at her, amused.
"Very?"
She rolls her eyes in response.

We walk in comfortable silence.
That it is until I say, "I'm just a little worried about college, you know? I really want to be an artist, but it's hard what with my mom breathing down my neck about being some sort of doctor."
She makes snore sounds, her mouth slightly ajar.

"Oh come on, Ramona, how can you get out of school, just to think about more school?" We finally reach the school doors.
"Hey, it's easy for you, you know. You got a full ride to the school of your dreams and as soon as you graduate college, you're going straight into psychology. I envy you."

She smiles and flips her blonde hair.
"I get that a lot."
I wrap my arms around her, "I'm gonna miss you, Vic."
"Aw, I'm not going anywhere." We pull away and bump fists together.

"I gotta go, you want a ride?," she says heading to her petite, cherry red car.
"Yeah, sure. Beats waiting at the bus stop."
It's annoying catching random modes of transportation. Despite their big time occupations, my parents swear up and down they can't afford to buy me a car.

We start driving down the road, pulling out of Connecticut's little high school. The sun catches my brown locks in its gleam and I take the time to breathe in the wind blowing against my face.

"So, I'll catch you at Ian's party tonight?"
I frown dismissively.
"I don't know, Vic. His party's never turn out too well. I mean, come on, the whole Junior student body almost went home in handcuffs for drunk driving and public nudity."

"Oh don't be so negative all the time. C'mon it's our senior year." She looks at me pleadingly. And stupidly, I give in.
"Fine. I-I'll go."
She beams at my side of the car.
"Yes. Because next was crying until you agreed to go."

The car comes to a screech on my street, my large house awaiting my arrival. I hold up a piece sign in Victoria's direction.
She smirks, "I'll see you tonight."
She squints suspiciously. "I will, won't I? I don't want to have to drag you out of this house at seven and I certainly will not be going alone."

"Ok, ok. I'll be there."
"Promise?"
"I promise, you can count on me," I say stepping out of my car.

"You can count me," I say to myself as she drives off.