I didn''t walk in on my tip-toes, so I was sure that he heard me. I stood next to him, and my shadow was


    slightly above his shoes. There was no way he didn''t notice my obvious presence. That said, he sat


    upright and focused on his work. He wasn''t distracted at all.


    I admired his work for a while before returning to my seat. I flipped over the cover and finished up Rise


    of Glory, most of which I hadpleted before I returned to Southsville.


    It was a painting with a strong, dimensional presence. Other than the women, there werekes,


    corridors, houses, and rocks-everything. Iposed the whole framework after I studied Tudor


    paintings and their cultural-sociological settings.


    To entuate the aesthetics, I used a different kind of drawing technique so that the details could pop


    out. The person in charge of Dreamlight ced extra emphasis on this painting as it would be


    disyed in the showcase room. That was why the timing was a bit rushed.


    Returning to Southsville took a few days off me. Then, Queenie and Jasmine needed my attention, so I


    couldn''t make any progress. It seemed like I would have to work overtime for a few days.


    I was someone who easily lost herself in whatever I did. Within five minutes of touching the brush, I


    became one with my painting. I only saw, heard, and thought about my work-nothing else.


    Once, when I was young, I was so engrossed in my painting that I didn''t notice that Dad came to my


    room. It wasn''t until when Dad carried me that I realized that we had guests. To reward my dedication,


    Dad bought me a lollipop.


    Original content from N?velDrama.Org.


    After that incident, he often joked that other kids would sleep so soundly that they didn''t know they


    were being carried, whereas I would focus so deeply on my paintings that even when I was being


    carried, my hands still held onto the canvas. That became a humorous tale to share around.


    I painted and painted for a very long time until a bottle of water came into my vision. I lifted my head


    and noticed that the sky was bathing in the dusk glow. The setting sun cast mellow lights on the clouds.


    Different hues of orange and yellow interweaved into a mesmerizing fabric.


    "What are you doing here?" I epted the water bottle and took a sip. Looking around, there was only


    Colin and me. Winston had already left.


    How odd. He always notified me


    et


    before he left. But not today. I had reasons to believe that Colin must have used his authority as the


    lecturer and kicked Winston out.


    ''What are you looking for?" Colin stood next to me and looked at my drawing. Admiration filled his


    eyes.


    I stretched my body. Afraid that I might fall, his long arm steadied my frame from behind. He raised his


    brow as he waited for my answer.


    "Winston. He was here when I came. Did you kick him out?" I said nonchntly, but Colin didn''t take it


    very well.


    Colin''s expression darkened as soon as he heard the name. Every word that exited his mouth was


    laced with disgruntlement. "You two are the only ones here every day?"


    "No, but there aren''t a lot of students here as it''s summer break now. We get four or five students on


    average each day. When the school reopens, Winston said there would be more than ten students."


    "Winston this, Winston that. You can''t shut up about him, can you?" Colin scoffed.


    "It''s just a name. Don''t be petty, Colin. Or everyone willugh at you." I blew raspberries at him.


    Colin flicked my head and protested, "How dare you tease me? It''s gettingte. Should we go home?"


    I looked at the sky.


    early. The project was urgent, so I


    possible me, it was still


    needed to finish it as soon as


    want to continue


    l


    painting. It''ll be done in two hours maximum. You''ll be bored here. If you''re tired, wait for me back


    home."