Saying Goodbye

7: It's all mine

I started down the dimly-lit road, towards my destination. The ladder was stuffed in my bag, half broken from ripping it off my window, all the way down from the bottom of the alleyway. 

The sun barely rose above the horizon as I walked on. To the competition. It starts now. Everything depends on what happens after this moment.

I checked my watch, seeing what time it was. 6:42, it read. I have to be there by exactly 8:00. I thought. If I hurry, I might make it by 7:30. That's good enough. People will start flooding in by then, considering this is a huge deal. 

A number of cars drove past. Some looked in my direction, wonder filled their eyes. I stared down at my feet, trying to act like I didn't notice them. Wind rushed past me, sending chills up my spine. I was cold and scared. Scared for my family, scared for my friends, scared that my parents were worried sick. 

I need to make it back soon, I thought, this could be a major turning point in my life, though. Whatever it takes to get that money, whatever it takes... I stopped thinking, and instead focused on what I would do when I get there.

*          *          *

The strong scents of bagels filled my nose, along with doughnuts, kolaches and a variety of morning snacks. Even oatmeal. The smell of it all... I hadn't had food for a while, and it wasn't much. I want some, I thought. 

I kept walking, knowing I couldn't. I didn't have money. I couldn't afford it, I thought. I checked my watch again, see as it was 7:27. I was almost there. I might make it by 7:35, now. I began speed walking. I still have to set up my artwork. It's probably not set up yet. Maybe it is. I'm not sure how this whole thing works.

*          *          *

I stood still, awe struck by the amazing building. It's size... it was outstanding. Someone walked past me, and a small rush of wind hit me, again. They turned around, looking at me, and I could tell who it was.

It was him. The one in the store, at the skate park, the blonde kid, the one I drew a picture of.

"Hi." I said, noticing words had just come out of my mouth. 

"Hey. You look familiar." He said, cheerfully. He turned around, facing me. "My name's Samuel. You can call me Sam, if you want." He grinned adorably.

My face felt hot, as though it was on fire. I tried to reply, but my lips wouldn't move. A second later, I tried again.

"Uh, I'm Ellie. Nice to meet you." I replied, holding out my hand for him to shake.

He stuck out his hand, and we shook hands. His hand was warm, and had some comfort to it.

"So, are you entering the art competition too?" He asked, tilting his head slightly to the side.

"Yeah." I replied. I hope he doesn't remember me from the park, that would be weird, I thought. I leaned on my side, putting all my weight one foot. "Are you?" I questioned.

"Yes, I am. I think it will be fun having competition with someone my age. It was nice meeting you." He said, combing his hair back with his hand. "I'll see you soon, I guess." He said, turning around, heading inside the building.

"May the best artist win!" I called out from a distance. He swung the door open, and turned his head back for a second.

"Way the best artist win." He replied.

*          *          *

I looked around at the wonderful art, seeing the masterpieces as I passed by. They all looked so... unique. So outstanding, and some even looked better than mine. I began doubting my art.

I checked my watch again, realizing what time it was. It was almost time to start. It was 7:49. I looked around, wondering what to do next. Do I ask someone if they know where my piece was? Do I look for it myself? Do I have to set up my piece? I'm so confused!

"Hello there." I heard a familiar voice from behind me. I turned, startled.

"Oh, hi, sorry, I didn't see you there." I said, noticing it was Sam. "I need help, can you tell me where I could find my art? I don't know who to ask, or if I have to set it up, or anything." I said, rocking back and forth in my feet. I looked down in shame.

"Oh, I can help you. I'm sure someone will know. Let's ask this man. He's one of the hosts of the art competition." He said, taking my hand and leading me in the direction of the man.

A wave of heat flashed over me, and my face went bright red. My heart pounded loudly in my chest. 

"Sir, can you tell us where we can find the stored artwork?" He asked calmly. He's so good at talking to people. I thought. 

"The storage room is over there, in the far back corner of the room. You should find it there. Ask the man there, he should be able to find it for you." He said, pointing us in the direction of the man, so far away.

"Thank you, sir." Sam said, then walking me to the storage room.

"Um, where did he say?" I asked, looking around for the man.

"Somewhere over here.." Sam said, lost in thought.

"Over there, there's a man, and I think that's the storage room too, I commented, and began walking towards it.

"Wait up!" He said, as he began jogging after me to keep up.

I neared the man and asked him, "Sir, do you think you could help me find my artwork?" 

"I need a first and last name." He said dully.

"Alright. My name's Ellie, Carmona." I said proudly. I hope my picture's in good shape, I thought.

"Okay, Miss. Carmona, Here it is. You can set it up at the front of the room, on the blue wall next to the others. Be careful, That's a big picture." He said, holding his hands out as though to catch it if it fell, before I got a grip on it.

"Its okay, I... got... it..." I said, struggling to keep in it my hands.

Sam reached down to take it from me. "Can I help you out, there?" He said, holding his hands out too, smiling sweetly.

"Sure thing, Sam. Thanks." I said, giving it to him to carry.

"Okay, over on the blue wall... Sure. Alright, this way." He started heading for the front of the enormous building, walking in front of me, leading me.

He hung the picture on the wall, taking a long look at it, with a smile. "This is beautiful." He said, tilting his head, as though comforted by it's presence. 

"Thank you." I replied, looking up at him.

Suddenly, the look on his face looked bad, as though something bad had happened, or as though he remembered something. A look of pure shock was on his face.

"Wait, I've seen you before, haven't I?" He asked, keeping his eyes locked on the picture.

"Hold on, you remember me? Are you sure? It could have been someone else.." I said, sounding somewhat worried.

"Yes, I'm sure it was you. You remember, the skate park? The store? You were there. I could tell by the chalk art. I thought you looked familiar when I met you, but at the time I had no idea..." He looked at me, and then back at the picture. He asked, "Do you remember?"

"Oh, yeah, I do. I drew that chalk art picture of you. I recognized you the second I saw you." I somewhat mumbled. I guess that probably sounded weird.

"Well, that's cool, isn't it?" He asked, looking back at me.

"Yeah, it is." I said, looking at him, then back at the picture.