The ArtMax contest took place at the Phoenix Stadium, Michigan's largest sports arena. On the first day of the three-day event, hundreds of participants gathered, each bringing their tools of the trade in various fields of art. Zach was among them. Making his way to the painters' section, he searched for his assigned number. Every participant had a stool, easel stand, and canvas awaiting them. Zach eventually located his spot towards the back of the area.
Before the contest, he managed to persuade Jacksen to enter the preliminary selection. As anticipated, Jacksen didn't make it to the top fifteen. Calliso, on the other hand, was selected and slated to compete on the second day. They made a pact that if not both, at least one of them should win and go to Australia. Jacksen backed them wholeheartedly, knowing their exceptional painting abilities.
As the contest commenced, Zach dedicated himself fully to every dip of his palette and stroke of his brush. He poured his entire repertoire of painting knowledge onto his canvas with a sense of contentment and assurance. The chosen muse, a woman adorned in 1930s attire, fueled his enthusiasm as he embarked on creating a portrait painting. Eager to witness the outcome of his efforts, Zach couldn't contain his anticipation. The thought of the happiness that winning the contest would bring to his grandparents filled his mind, driving his determination even further.
After seven hours, the final bell chimed, marking the end of the allotted time. All forty-seven participants from five different schools were instructed not to touch their final works. Zach rose from his seat and gazed at his painting, a smile spreading across his face. To him, it stood as one of the finest pieces he had ever produced. He couldn't help but marvel at the remarkable realism captured in the woman depicted on his canvas. Completing every intricate detail, Zach felt a swell of pride wash over him. As he waited for the contest staff to retrieve his painting, he noticed a girl standing a few steps behind him. With long black hair and dressed in a blue plaid long-sleeve shirt and black jeans, she had her back turned, obscuring her face from view. Intrigued, he couldn't help but draw parallels between her and the mysterious girl portrayed in his painting. A sense of nervousness crept over him as he felt a curious connection between them. Despite his doubts and hesitations, his curiosity and desperation drove him forward. Slowly, he approached her, unable to shake the thought that she might be the girl from his visions. Though apprehensive, his eagerness to uncover her identity outweighed his fear. As he neared, ready to speak, a voice suddenly interrupted from behind. "Number forty-one!"
Turning around, Zach spotted one of the staff members standing next to his painting.
"Number forty-one!" the man repeated.
"That's me!" Zach responded, his voice tinged with unease.
"Get over here!" the man instructed.
Hurrying back, Zach glanced at the girl as he ran, noticing her gaze fixed on him. He then redirected his attention to the staff member, silently acknowledging that being interrupted from speaking to her was perhaps for the best, realizing she wasn't the girl he had imagined her to be.
"What were you doing over there? The contest isn't finished yet," the man inquired.
"I'm sorry. I was just, uh, searching for my friend," Zach fibbed, taking a moment to catch his breath.
"What's your name?" the man pressed.
"Zach Rafael Rowland," he replied.
The man glanced at his painting and then checked for his name on the back of the canvas. "Nice work," he acknowledged.
YOU ARE READING
Divine & Wicked: The Trapped Memories (Book2)
Fantasy(Fantasy•Romance) COMPLETED Zach woke up with an addled mind and empty heart a few days after his surgery. He seemed to feel that his life had begun again. As he continued with what he thought was his normal life, fragments of his lost past slowly b...
