Flirting with death

Shangri-La

"Look, Val! It's the advent art grades!" Sarah said to me before lesson.

I looked at the bulletin board to see a bright poster hanging there.

THE ADVENT ART GRADES
HAND IN APPLICATION FORM BY FRIDAY 5 PM
DETAILS ON APPLICATION FORM
GOOD LUCK!

"So... Are you gonna join?" She asked. "I mean, you're scary good at drawing."

I looked at it for a while, sighed, and answered, "Ok, whatever." 

I've never been the competitive type. I just like to draw. 

As I got home, I was wondering what on Earth I signed myself up for. 

"Oh no! I forgot that you didn't have work today..." I heard mom mutter to herself form the kitchen. "How was your day, Val?"

"I... joined the advent art grades," I said slowly, wondering how she'll react.

"THAT'S WONDERFUL! YOU'RE FINALLY GOING TO SOME COMPETITION!" She squealed, running to hug me. 

"Sarah begged for me to join..." I mumbled. 

"Doesn't matter!" She says as she retreats to the kitchen. 

I trudged up to my bedroom, thinking about what I should do for the competition.  

I looked at the various posters on the walls, as if they would give me some inspiration. 

Then my eyes landed on one of the biggest oil drawings that was hanging on the wall. 

Shangri-La. I was barely 10 when I started on the painting. I was very proud of it back then, but I do feel that it could use some improvements now. 

What if... I redrew that mystical place? 

I immediately got to work. I searched up tons of pictures from the web, and started on a new canvas. 

I drew the endless sea of little buildings all packed up together. I drew the dreamy morning sky and all it's soft clouds. I even drew a tall building, right in the center of the canvas.

It's missing something...

"That's it!" I said to myself. I drew a little girl with light blond hair, blue eyes, black thin-rimmed glasses, and the little tank top I was currently wearing. 

I set the canvas to dry before I colored the little girl in. 

I sat there, staring at it. I wish I could live there, where there would be no troubles at all, and this Hadrian Grim wouldn't frequently come to my mind. 

If I could, I would bring my family there too. Or maybe Faith and Sarah. 

Sry for the short chapter!