Chapter 6

Nina

Dear diary,

I wish I could tell you I’m feeling better, but my evening with Mel won’t leave my mind. It was my one chance to ask her what I wanted, and I only dared to ask her that one question, and after that, my mind went blank. What will she think of me? She must meet so many exciting people in those evenings, I can only hope she has already forgotten about me.

It is a shame, though, that she hasn’t continued with those earlier paintings. I still remember the first time I saw them, in an interview on TV, and I couldn’t take my eyes off them. She seems to see something no one else sees when she paints those landscapes, something hidden from the rest of us that we could only dream of touching. I wish I could buy one of them, but I’ve only managed to print it out and frame it.

No, I simply need to try to forget about it. I ruined that evening, just like the rest of my life. If only mum and dad were still here. On days like these, I miss them so dearly. Dad was always so quick to cheer me up, and mum would have baked me muffins and served tea. I don’t like to dwell on the accident, but on days like these, my mind seems to find its way there by itself. I wonder what would have happened if I’d walked home instead. Maybe we would still have been a family. But I will never know, and instead, I will live with my decision for the rest of my life.

I’m sorry, I shouldn’t be such a downer. I’m sure you get tired of hearing me. You know my drawing is coming along, and I’m pleased to say that the shadowing is going really well. I believe I can soon move over to more advanced techniques. I’ve even wondered if I should enter a contest, but I don’t know if I have the courage.

The new client was happy with his logo as well. I’m glad it didn’t turn into an endless stream of revisions this time. I will see if he needs help with any more designs. But I don’t think he

Wait, someone is knocking on the door