A new morning rises. It's Saturday and the day is fully packed for me. First, I’ll be at the art studio to finish up a project I left last Sunday. Second, I’ll go to the address Mister Fabio gave me. There isn't a schedule or what, so I'll just go after lunch. I still don't know what to expect. I guess I’ll just let fate do its thing. And last but not least, I’m going to Ryle’s house in the early evening. It's time to face him, whether he likes it or not. But I’d like the earlier more.After slipping into my slippers, I excitedly get out of the room. I immediately smell the breakfast Mom has prepared. I go to the dining room and find Mom stirring her tea while listening to the faint broadcast on her old radio. “Good morning, Mom,” I greet before giving her a tight embrace. “How are you feeling?”She smiles after turning the radio off. “I’ve been good lately. No side effects from medication. My stitches have already healed. Everything is fine,” she says. She stands up. “I’ll just make
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"That's it," I mumble as I fold my book shut. I look at every head of my group with a forceful smile. "Got it, guys?"They all sigh and let out words of discouragement. We're currently on an Arts project which is torturous to get done — impressionism and expressionism. I've been a person having a creative imagination since I was in middle school, but these two art theories have always shaken my artistic self's soul."Stella, we can't do this," one says"I shouldn't have taken this class," one spits out.One even pouts at me like a toddler. "Impressionism is yours, please."I give them a look of dismay and say, "Fine." And then they clap, deafening me. "I'll take the impressionism section. Just give me enough budget.""Yes.""Come on, guys. Cash out.""Faster. Stella might cop out."I chuckle. I breathe out a cloud of breath while they hand me the money. It's a ton. I furrow my brows. "Isn't this too much?""Please include the expressionism's essentials," my seatmate requests.I sigh in
My shift has come to an end. It's quarter past eleven in the evening. On Friday nights, I always take another hour, or two, in my shift. Due to this, I don't have the time to get to accept my classmates' invitations to join their parties or treats. It's not like I like parties either. I kind of don't. Also knowing that I have to work still tomorrow, I really have to sleep my tiredness off.I've been a freelance artist since tenth grade. I started with painting pictures of my customers' pets until I decided to make my service exclusively on human portraits. That was when my inbox has gotten busy. I've even painted the mayor's family and, O boy, it was a one-of-a-kind experience. With this, I make enough money to pay our monthly rent in the apartment. I'm grateful I've found one of my God-given talents because it's helped me, Mom, and also eases up my mind most of the time. Whenever I hold a brush and splatter paints, I feel free of life's burdens.I stand straight by a streetlamp. I fi
I spend some time meandering by the bazaar booths in the plaza before getting home by four in the afternoon. I find Mom having her dinner. I'm thankful she picked something healthier than she commonly eats. She invites me to join her, but I tell her I just came from the food park, so she resumes eating. I go to my room and then browse the Internet for some art prompts before jotting them down on a piece of paper.It's almost six in the evening when I finish sketching ideas on a few bond papers. I set them aside in a folder and then saunter out of the room. I get the already cold vegetable salad Mom left in the fridge and make a mug of black coffee. I sit in the living room and then open the television. While turning the volume down, my phone starts ringing.I put the bowl of salad on the couch and press the green button on my screen, my brows furrowing at the anonymous number. "Um, hello?"The other line speaks, "Great evening, Stella De Vega." It's a lady. She speaks so clearly, "I h
I should've known. I should really have. I'm so stupid at this part. Who would want me to work off the workplace so badly? Who would pay me not just thrice but, as the lady said, as a 'whole package?' Who else? Of course, a rich person. I didn't see this coming. I thought I was about to paint for a political personality or whatsoever. I let out all of my mixed stress and anxieties in a sigh. How dauntless of I. For the money. For Mom, I'll do this. I just have to ignore his personality and focus on his physicality. This is going to be as easy as I think it'll be.I look away from him, the freak, and aim my sight at the flawless white wall. Every piece of furniture in the room is colored white. Everything seems to blind my vision. They appear untouched by nobody. I look down at the tiled floor, and my frame reflects on it. It's a heavenly room, I swear. I'm clean with mine, but this? It's indescribable.I stand stiffly before him while holding my stuff in my front. His deep grays trace
My co-members and I have successfully done it. We've passed the project and been graded the highest. I'm grateful for the universe it doesn't go against my wish for today. As I drop the canvas I painted on, I go to my co-members and together, we crack up each other because of the good output."I knew you guys could do it," I say with a jolly tone."Thanks to you, Stella," the girl in front of me says. "Without your encouragement, we couldn't have done it.""Oh, come on," I deny. "We've all done it because we believed in ourselves, in our best."The boy beside me claps twice. "That's why I'm treating you guys for today."Everybody cheers, still under their breath."And you'll go with us, Stella, alright?" the boy adds."Sorry, guys." I purse my lips, an expression of apology plastered on my face. Everybody sighs in dismay. "I really want to spend some time with you guys, but I have work," I utter in addition."It's fine, Stella. Prioritize your needs," the blonde girl says."I'll for y
After the brain-damaging Tuesday morning classes, I blink at Reign Hayes entering the school gymnasium with her rather famous circle of friends. See, Reign is very well-known for her physical aesthetics, gentle personality, and outstanding wits, but also, she's known to be the current mayor's half-sister. The news shocked the city, but as days have gone by, people have forgotten about the stirred-up scandal. That day was chaotic actually.I sit on the bench, my eyes not taking off Reign's back, out in the faint sun. I think of Marco. I wonder how he's going to work this out. I hope Reign isn't in a relationship yet because I'm rooting for my cousin's shot. Reign has always been private and silent, even when she's around with her friends. She's elegantly perceptive, and it's one of her traits everybody seems to like, including me.I've just gone from the cafeteria. I didn't feel like eating, so I ate less than I usually take in. I cross my legs and grab my sketchbook. I bite on the era