Artist Love Better | Jensoo

Chapter 1: First Impressions

The alarm clock started its buzzing at 9am. Deep brown eyes opened slowly and blind arms reached around to silence the damned thing. It would be a big day and Kim Jisoo was ready for it.

She got up and made her bed, stretching her body and fixing her black hair in a bun. She walked a few steps in the small studio apartment to reach the bathroom. She brushed her teeth and washed her face, shaking off the last signs of sleepiness. Back in the room, she reached the kitchen corner and grabbed a bowl of cereal. She made herself a cup of instant coffee and went to sit by the table.

Her studio apartment was very small, but she truly felt home in there. She had her bed by the window as she liked to be able to look at the stars at night before sleeping. Next to the bed, a small wardrobe and a bedside table completed the bedroom area. A small bookcase held art books and a few novels along with some DVDs and CDs. There were posters and photos all over the walls. A small door led to the bathroom big enough for only one person to stand in, and the open plan kitchen held a hob, a fridge and a small counter with a sink and a microwave. Next to the door, a mess with an old easel and boxes with paint contrasted with the tidiness of the rest of the apartment. That was, however, Jisoo's favourite corner. A tall lamp stood next to the easel and a number of canvases piled up by its side. It was not much, but it was home.

Jisoo reached for her phone and checked the messages she received overnight. There was one unread text from Lisa, one of her best friends. The text was from only a couple of hours before.

Hey turtle rabbit, are you up? Let's have lunch today!

Jisoo smiled and replied to the text.

Why are you up so early? I don't know if I can do lunch. I'll buy my new stuff today and probably spend the whole day at the park.

She looked across the room and saw the fat yellow envelope lying atop her bedside table. She worked very hard for that. Extra shifts at three different cafes and all the tips she could get helped her to save enough. She was brought back from her thoughts by her buzzing phone.

You're a loser. A talented one, but still a loser. Call me if you change your mind.

"Dickhead..." She said to herself laughing, before replying.

You're always so nice, Lali. Anyway, I gotta go. I'll call you!

Jisoo put her phone down and went to get changed. She chose to wear comfortable jeggings and a light vest topped with a purple jacket. She grabbed the yellow envelope and her backpack and stormed out the door. There was no time to waste.

~

Jisoo walked around with a big smile on her face as if she was in an amusement park. She couldn't help but feel her soul bubbling with happiness when she was inside the art store. There were loads of shelves holding all sorts of materials; easels, brushes, paints, pens, pencils, papers, canvases and much more, she didn't know where to look.

After almost an hour, she reached the check out with her basket full of things. She really needed new materials. Her easel was old and could barely stand properly. She ran out of canvases and her paints and pencils were on its last legs. She felt happy and excited about her purchase.

"Three hundred and ninety-eight dollars and seventy six cents," the cashier said as she finished scanning the last item.

Jisoo opened her backpack and grabbed the yellow envelope. Opening it, she retrieved a small bundle of notes. She counted quickly and held the whole pack to the cashier with a smile.

"Here. There's four hundred."

The woman grabbed the money and counted every single note.

"One dollar and twenty four cents change. Thank you very much."