Chapter 60 The main canvas
Chapter 60 The main canvas
Elara
I painted an image of me, a baby version of myself, but it was hidden, painted behind the adult version of me, yet in a way you could clearly see my childhood version, that’s my truth, one that I never wanted to admit.
it was like glass, could be seen through,
I have changed, I use to be innocent and sweet, filled with life, I always imagined things will work out for me but it didn’t and I turned out to me this person I am today. I cried when I finished painting, because I felt bad about Zara.
The judges stared at my painting like they saw something different, I didn’t just see paint. I used some old items of mine, to create this masterpiece, something form my childhood and something from my adulthood, a brush I used for the first time, and a cigarette, that symbolized what I did to Zara, and there were other things, other important features.
“I- no need to explain your painting and what it means?” One of the judges said and my breath hitches
Everyone else was allowed to explain their painting, everyone else was allowed three minutes to talk about how it impacted them, how hard it was? And what lead to this decision.
I didn’t speak, I didn’t argue. I was confident with what I had done.
Landon was right outside waiting for me, he missed practice for this, my heart warmed up at the thought of walking out to him, yet fear gripped my heart when I realized I could have failed my whole dream.
I waited for the judges, I realized everyone else was starting to whisper, because of me, yet I didn’t care.
An hour passed, anxiousness filled my mind as I stared at the door, waiting and waiting.
When someone walked out with a basket.
“There is an envelope here, if you get to the last stage, the final stage of the competition, there would be your next instruction written on it but if you don’t get passed it, your envelope will be empty.” She announced
That makes me hard.
The moment she handed mine over, I didn’t open it, instead I headed out to Landon
The moment I saw him, my feet found its way toward him, my body melted into his arms and he wrapped his hand around me
“Hey, what’s wrong.”
“Take me away from here.” I breathed out, I didn’t even take my painting, I didn’t want to, I slipped into the car. And Landon did the same, he wasted no time in driving away, he didn’t say a word instead he had his hand wrapped around mine, as I cried silently
I cried for how hard I worked, I cried for the fact that maybe I may have lost, maybe I would end up being someone I hate, my mother.
Fuck.
The car came to a halt, and Landon turns to me, I didn’t speak instead I handed him over the letter.
“Open it.”
“No, not until you tell me what’s wrong?” He said and I shake my head.
“Open it, we have to leave for your game soon Landon.” I mumbled.
“Not until you tell me.” He stated.
My lips quivered against each other, I didn’t want to say the words, I would feel like I failed, saying it would mean accepting it, I hated the idea of that, all I ever wanted is to have my own gallery, showcase my paintings and make everyone fall for me, and I failed.
“Is this the result?” He asked and I nodded. I watched as he opens it, and I pressed my lips against each other, I felt a sharp pain radiating through my heart, my hands quivering against my lap as I stared at him when something fell to his lap.
Wait what?
I wiped the tears that fell against my cheek, I stared at Landon with a weak smile.
“Congratulations Elara Quinn, you wowed us, what you painted, we have only seen great artists with years of experience paint this, and we are welcome to invite you to join us, this is the final stage, and unlike any other project, you won’t be painting wit your brush, or paints, instead you will be using items to create a master piece, and you will submit it, whoever wins, gets a scholarship fully funded at Vermont or UK University.”
Wait what.
I thought it was only Uk.
Now Vermont.
My smile widened as I stared at him. I didn’t know what to say, the words were at the top of my lips and I felt a wave of shiver run down my spine, I pulled him toward me and I wrapped my hand around him.
“I got in, I was so scared and worried, and I thought I failed, now I get to pick, if I.”
“You will win.” He said and I nodded, I will, I have to be confident, the pain in my heart was now replaced with a flutter of hope, it was now replaced with something even more better, happiness and I never imagined to feel like that.
“You made me worried Elara. I thought.”
“I thought I failed too, I thought everything was ruined.” I breathed out. “I didn’t, I was scared and now I get the best news ever.” I smiled. “Hey, we can celebrate tonight when you get your win, because you will.”
Landon’s team will be playing against one of the best clubs , they have not failed a single match and they are known for their greatest, he was worried as I am, but I had faith in him, tonight is a win for both of us.
“Take me home Landon, go get ready for your match and I will meet you in the locker room before the match, I promise.” I breathed out and he nodded at me.
He leans in and presses his lips against mine before I pulled away.
That’s the best news I have ever gotten.
—-
I took a warm shower and I changed my clothes, I have a long drive ahead of me, and Nathan is outside waiting for me, he knows about the fake breakup, and he thought it was great.
“Elara honey, where are you going to?” Mom asked the moment I stepped into the living room, fuck, I didn’t think any of them will be home. “You look nice.” She mumbled as she came into view
“Uhm.. I’m going out with Nathan.”
“It’s a school night, are you headed for that match, you are not supposed to be there, it’s a long drive.” She said and I didn’t speak. “Come on you father will not be happy about it and you know, tell Nathan to join us for dinner.”
“Mom I can’t.” I breathed out
I promised Landon and I will have to be there.
“It’s not the match, I have this thing with my friends and I have to do it.” I mumbled. “Please, I promise I will be back and I will still be ready for school on time, please.” I breathed out.
“I said no, go change and get ready for dinner, Vivian made meatloaf and she baked that garlic bread you love so much, I am sure your friends will not mind you skipping out on them tonight, and your father will be home soon.”
No. I can’t.
She can’t do this to me
This is important .
My eyes burned with tears. I feel a sharp pain radiating through my heart and I held on to my phone tightly, she will ground me, I’m fine with that, she will take away my paintings , I can will hide and paint. She will, there is nothing she could do anymore, I am not going to let her ruin this.
“Elara.” Mom called when I took a step away from her.
“I’m, I’m going mom, I love my friend and I am not ditching them to spend a night with you, when I get back you can ground me, and what’s going to happen next, I get to college and what? You ground me there too, I’m going to leave in two months and I promise I will never come back here, what will you do to force me to come back, hit me, yell at me, or take my phone, or even worse, tell dad about it.” I asked.
I didn’t want to be rude but at this point, I have reached my wit, and I was done, I wanted to wait till it was time to college but I can’t. I’m not a kid anymore
“I’m done mom, lock the door if you have to, take away every thing if you have to, I don’t care.” I yelled.
My eyes snapped to Vivian who stop by the end of the kitchen and she looked at me sadly.
“Elara Quinn. Are you on drugs? You will not dare-“ I didn’t let her finish.