The painting, the girl and the painter

1-1

“This is truly beautiful”. That’s what I thought when I saw the winning painting of the Youth Art Exhibition, even I, a junior high school girl who knew nothing about art could recognize the beauty of the work.

The painting was a portrait of a woman in a dress as white as snow reflecting the sunshine. The colors of the rose petals on the bench she was sitting on gave the artwork a stronger impression. Everything was perfectly contrasted… it was simply beautiful.

Since a young age I’ve always been considered the most beautiful by everyone around me, either in my family or school, but that painting made me feel something that bothered me… frustration. From that moment forward I worked harder each time to be as beautiful as that painting!

…

“When did I fall asleep?”. It probably was because of the house moving, I ended up bringing too much luggage and couldn’t fit all of it in my closet. Seems like I’ll have to leave a few dresses on my bags…

Moving is always tiring, but at least I’ll be able to start my University student life living in this hall of residence. My only complain is the name of the place. Why ‘Plateful’? Wasn’t there a better name?

As soon as I get up from bed a wonderful smell fills my nose, I immediately leave to check where it comes from. When I get to the kitchen I find the other residents sitting at a table, they stare at me and a blonde guy among them had his mouth open like an idiot.

“She’s hot…”, those words were enough for the girl sitting next the blonde guy to nudge him. She’s kind of pretty but what’s with her hair? It looks dried and she has a terrible taste in nail polish, maybe I can give her some tips later.

The blonde then introduces himself with a shy smile:

“I-it’s… a pleasure to meet you, my name is Eric and this girl next to me is…”.

Although looking sulky towards Eric she also introduces herself:

“Nian, I’m basically a ‘senpai’ for all of you in college, I don’t live here I’m just visiting my boyfriend”.

Nian giver Eric a sharp look, I hope she doesn’t bother me later for being jealous… he might be handsome but I don’t want problem getting involved with someone that’s already taken.

“Hahaha… That girl wearing glasses with black hair in the kitchen is Hina, and the ginger curly haired guy is Drake”.

“Nice to meet you all, my name is Diana but you can call me Dina if you like”. I wave to Hina and Drake that are in the kitchen. Hina sees me and waves back, but Drake doesn’t seem to have noticed me.

Hina and Drake put the pans on the table for dinner. As I start eating I realize something. “If I’m not mistaken this student hall is supposed to have five residents including me, since Nian is not living here there is someone missing, isn’t there?”

“Oh, yes. He might only show up tomorrow, I haven’t seen his boxes yet… there may have been a delay”. Hina answers me.

“Do you know him?”.

“Yeah, he’s a childhood friend”.

“Anyway, what course do you guys take? I’m part of the animation course”. That’s what Eric said, seem like he’s good at bringing new topics to a conversation.

“I’m part of the cinema course”. Everyone seems really surprised with my answer.

“I could swear you would be from the fashion course just like me”, is what Nian said.

Hina then puts her hand on her chest and sighs, “Thank goodness, I’m also from the cinema course, I was really nervous about my first day but it’s good to know there will be a friendly face there”.

Hina can be really cute, like a trembling chihuahua, but her cheeks make her face rounder. I bet she can easily put on some weight, nevertheless I really feel like pinching her cheeks, I have to keep my cool!

“What about you, Drake? What’s your course?”.

“Gastronomy”.

“I see, so no one here takes the animation course…”. Eric seemed somehow sulky about it, maybe he wished for the same luck Hina had in finding a companion in the hall that takes the same course as her.

Everyone blended in with each other pretty fast, I think too fast even. Eric wanted to buy some drinks to light things up, but Drake was very prudent and recommended to avoid drinking, especially because we all had early classes the next day and a hangover wouldn’t go down well.

I blended in with the girls as well, even though Nian was a bit wary at first she became a big blabber later. Same goes for Hina, she wouldn’t stop talking about movies. “Which classics do you like? What your favorite genre? I love medieval fantasy and science fiction!”

And with this very lively dinner the night came to an end. It seems like I’ll have a lot of fun around here.

1-2

Finally my first class is about to start and it’s in an auditory! That really uplifted me. The teacher entered the stage with a microphone, she was beautiful. Her high hells enhanced her presence and magnificence, her hair was like red brazing fire, and to top it off her glasses gave her a maturity air, I think I’ll start wearing glasses to study…

“Everyone here, I welcome you all to the cinematography course. I’m sure many of you joined the course in hopes of making your own movies, directing them or even acting in one, but…”.

She stared at all the students with her sharp eyes.

“Maybe none of you will be able to do it. Even if you succeed you won’t have the guarantee to work on projects that you like, much less will have the freedom to do so. The entertainment industry is competitive, no matter where you go, there is no place for undecided people, if you are not sure this is what you want for your life, I suggest you change your area”.

Those words made he hesitate, I’m not sure if cinema is something I really want for my life. I can be smart, but I have no talent or deep understanding, just beauty…

“But those who wish to stay, make an effort for yourselves and your future. Even though this is our first class I’d like to evaluate you with an assignment. I want you to make groups and record a short film, but with one condition, you must have students from other courses taking part on this project”.

The room was surprised with the announcement, no one expected the professor would ask for such big assignment on the first day of class, I for one don’t have any experience with film production, so this will be really complicated.

“You have until the end of this month to deliver the project, it’s mandatory that the film lasts five minutes. I already talked with the professors from other courses in advance, so don’t worry about that. At last, I wish you all good luck with the project”.

Suddenly Hina holds my hand tight and I jump on the chair. “Let’s work together Dina!?” The sparkle in her eyes made it impossible for me to refuse such request.

“S-sure”.

“Great! Then we can talk to everyone in the student hall during lunch, I’m sure they can be of help!”.

I envy Hina’s excitement, for some reason I feel uneasy, the sweat on my forehead only increased my insecurity. The classes went by in the blink of an eye, consequently it is already time for lunch.

After finding the table where all the residents were at, Hina and I, with our trays at hand, got together with them and explained the situation.

“I see, so you need to create a team to product a short film… Do you have anything in mind?” Eric giver a bite on his fried chicken.

“We don’t have anything in mind yet so we’re open to suggestions”. I grab a sheet of paper to write, “Will any of you be able to lend us a hand? Or at least knows someone who can?”. While I was knocking on the table with a pen Eric had a distant look and it was hard to tell what he was thinking about.

Drake lifted his hand, “Sorry, I can’t help, I feel like my area won’t be of much help to make a short film”.

“No problem Drake, we could make something related to culinary to our film, what do you guys think?”. Eric looks at Hina and I, waiting for a response. I think he really enjoys visual contact.

Since I don’t have any idea I just answer “Okay by me”. Hina doesn’t say anything, but nods in agreement.

Nian then raises her hand, “I don’t want to pour cold water on it, but I won’t be able to participate since I’m a second-year student, things are a bit tighter on our course, I apologize…”.

“No worries, it’s normal for things like this to happen”.

“Thanks, Hina”.

“Ok, since the work is from Hina and Dina it’s important that one of you leads the project”. I think we all know how laborious a project like that is and we need to have in mind each person’s role, someone needs to be the productor. I don’t know Hina very well, so I’m unfamiliar with her abilities and I don’t have any knowledge on production…

“I want to be the productor!”.

“Hina? Are you sure?”.

“Oh, sorry, did you want to be the productor Dina?”.

“No, it’s fine by me!”.

“Since Hina will be the productor, I have a proposal to you”. Eric points his fork at Hina “What if we make an animated short film?”, for some reason he gives a shining smile.

Then I ask: “An animated film? Does that count?”. I’m still unsure about it…

“Yes, your teacher didn’t specify how she wanted the film, she just said it needed to be a short film, right?” Eric moves his fork above the variety of things on his plate then simply grabs another fried chicken. “Therefore, many things can fit this requirement, as long as it lasts five minutes”.

“Yeah Dina, there are many possibilities, like black and white movies, using pictures, figures, etc”. Hina’s sparkling eyes said everything, she was totally immersed on the project.

“If we make an animation, it could be very convenient for Eric, since it’s his area, so we could use his knowledge on the matter. It’s a really great idea”. Drake says that after taking a picture of his food. I don’t know what he would use it for, future reference for his plates?

“Exactly Drake, and taking this into consideration I’d like to be the director”.

“I think that would be the best option! And Drake could help us with the culinary theme”.

“Right Hina! It’s good to know we speak the same language here!”.

Wow, they are both already inside their own little world and Nian is burning from jealousy next to Eric… how are they not noticing that? Even Drake started quietly eating to not get involved in case the bomb explodes.

Nian simply sighs “Do you at least know who will be in charge of the script?”. She grabs the salad with the fork.

Everyone immediately looks at me, it seems like I’m in a tight spot…

“Can’t Hina write the script… too?”.

“Doing the scriptwriting wouldn’t be impossible, but production is already really hard by itself. Having this role, I’ll be responsible for organizing the production time, establishing deadlines, managing the budget, making cuts on the script, among other things”.

“Sounds complicated…”.

“Yeah, since we don’t know if we will have complicated assignments from other classes during this month it would be safer if someone else did the script”.

“And I’m the only option? I don’t have any experience with this…”.

“Don’t worry I can help you! I can even recommend some books”.

“O-ok…”.

Eric puts his hand on his face and tilts his head down, this is not a good sign…

“We still have one problem… we need at least one more person to help with the animation. The professor on my class also gave us a crazy assignment to evaluate our abilities and current understanding, so I’m out of time. I can try to speak with a classmate about it, but I think it will be hard to get someone to help…”.

“No one I know takes the animation course… and the only ones I know around here are you guys since I’m a freshman”.

Eric puts his hand on Drake’s shoulder.

“It’s a shame, it would be of great help if you had any contact outside…”.

Hina raises her hand a little.

“I know someone that can be of help, but he’s not part of the animation course, do you think it would be ok Eric?”.

“Hmm… that I would only know after seeing him work, what is his course?”.

“Visual arts, he was even awarded several times in painting contests since junior high school”.

“Hmm… I would have to give him some instructions at least, but it could work, if you could introduce him to us, it would be of great help”.

“You would meet him eventually, after all he will be living with us during those next four years”.

“Oh, that’s great! It will help a lot our communication, is he the childhood friend you mentioned yesterday?”.

“Yeah, his name is Thomas, but he goes by the alias of Atlas”.

“A-Atlas!?” I was so surprised I choked while drinking my juice.

“Oh, have you met him already Dina?”.

“Oh… O-only a few paintings from when I was in junior high school hahaha”. Actually, even nowadays I follow his work on the internet, since the painting “The lady of rose square”, it’s annoying! I feel I should compete with him in some way for my pride! But no way I would say this out loud.

Hina gets up with her tray.

“I see, I think he might have a practice time in some room during the afternoon, so I’ll introduce him at night when everyone is together for dinner, ok?”.

“I have to go to work now and drop Nian at her work, so it would be better this way”

Drake looks at his wristclock.

“I don’t have anything during the afternoon, so I’ll go shopping. I want to make dinner tonight”.

Each one of them say goodbye and go, leaving me there sitting alone at the table. Am I the only one curious about Atlas!?

1-3

Really… curiosity is certainly capable of making a person anxious… I can’t even believe I’m stealthily walking through the campus, room by room, just so I can find a painter! I could very well wait until dinner time, I’m really an idiot!

Of course, that’s not the only reason, I wanted to look at all the campus has to offer, this place look like a tiny city, there are even small stores to buy food, some leisure rooms, the library was enormous, it had about four floors.

They also have a museum, it’s a shame I couldn’t see everything, it would get very late. Not to mention I wanted to know how Atlas would be, but I got lost on the way because of the various distractions.

It looks like there are some students talking in a corner. I don’t know the campus very well yet, actually I think I’ve only seen half of it, after all it’s bigger than two soccer stadiums… so I think it’s better to ask where the department of visual arts is, I have no idea where I am…

“Excuse me, could you tell me where the visual arts department is?” Just my hand going through my hair for a moment was enough for some guys to looks at me while others tried to disguise grabbing their cellphones or something like that.

“There’s a map over there, in the middle of the square, it might help you. You can also visit the University website, they offer a pdf map”.

“Ok, thank you very much”.

Although I was already moving away I still listen one of them saying something “Wow, look at that butt!”, “With one of those in my room I would never sleep”. It’s very tiring dealing with this, the looks. I know I’m pretty, but keeping myself this way attracts glances, many times unwanted. I don’t dress up or wear skirts to offer myself to someone, I do it for me idiots!

At least they were not all over me, trying to take me somewhere or get my number. Anyway, I need to focus and discover where I am by looking at the map…

After downloading the pdf map of the campus things got a lot easier and I finally got to the visual arts department. It’s impressive the variety of rooms and each one of them is focused on a different art media, from sculpture and painting to CG art made on computers.

Looking through the window of each room on the corridor it is possible to see that they provide support with materials, computers, printers, drawers, etc. I think they have those windows on the corridors exactly to serve as an exposition for those passing by… it’s amazing.

I just realized, there aren’t any teachers around… are those rooms only for students to work!? I bet this place would be a paradise to anyone intending to work with art. Not in vain this is the most difficult university to enter in the country.

I guide myself using the signs on each room, there’s no need to keep using my cellphone. “Architecture room, Sewing room, Painting room. Found it, I think that’s it”. I look through the small window on the door. At first glance there wasn’t anybody there but looking with more attention there was a guy standing in front of a canvas.

“Why are there so many newspapers on the ground?”.

Just a quick and simple movement, but intense enough to make the paint fly of the brush and land on the newspapers on the ground, that caught my attention. The way he paints the panel in front of him is different than a child drawing on a paper, he doesn’t only move his wrist, but also his arm and even his shoulder! He uses everything to define a single tracing.

Amazed, I open the door slowly so that not even the sound of it would interrupt that moment of concentration. I couldn’t see his face, but I could see his back, his movements were soft and careful. In that moment it was as if he was the only person in the world.

Only the sunlight and my eyes were witnessing this moment. The painter then swinged the brush softly, making the paint fly to the canvas. With a slim brush he seemed to paint something in the most delicate way possible. Curiosity started eating me alive, only a little but, I want to see what he is painting… just a little.

Before I give my first step towards him, he breaks the silence.

“You could have knocked you know?”. I almost jumped after hearing him suddenly speak with me.

“I-I’m sorry to bother… I’m looking someone, his name is Thomas”.

“I see”.

The boy turns to me. I’m astonished to see how ugly he is. His coke-bottle glasses are so big they seem to compete with his nose to see which one is bigger. He had a birthmark on his cheek and another one near his eye, and the worse of all was his hair, it looked like a helmet!

“Do you have any business with me?”.

“Wait a minute… you are Thomas?”.

“Yes, at least among the freshman on this class I’m the only Thomas”.

It felt as if something was breaking, I knew what it was. I’ve always wondered how Atlas would look like. Since de was able to make such beautiful paintings, I ended up creating a different image. I always thought he was an astonishingly beautiful person, just like his canvas.

However, in reality… I feel disappointed. His clothes were simple and filled with paint stains, his fingers were full of calluses. I can’t accept that the person I admired could have such a sloppy look, I feel an idiot for having admired him, for wanting to be as beautiful as his paintings… for feeling frustrated because of him.

“So, did you want to tell me something? You seem to be part of my class…”.

“N-no, it’s nothing. It was probably a misunderstanding, I’m sorry to bother, excuse me”.

I just left the room in silence, walking through the corridors disappointed. I couldn’t even see the canvas. The truth is that I didn’t want to see it, what does he has special that I don’t? Why can he create paintings that have always made me feel jealous? Why does it have to be precisely a person so negligent with their own looks!?

The state of denial took control of my thoughts and all I could do was return home and lay on my bed.

1-4

The night filled the sky with stars. Although I was disappointed, the project needs someone skillful like him, so we need to convince him to make part of it. I also need to think of the story for the script, I don’t even know what I’m going to do.

With my head filled with thoughts I try to distract myself with the cellphone and realize there is message, probably was sent when my phone discharged.

“Hm, it’s from Hina”.

‘Hi, what were you doing after lunch? I was looking for a simple book about scriptwriting that could help you, come to my room before dinner’. I just answer with an “ok”.

I get to Hina’s room and knock on the door, “Hina, it’s me”. I listen to her voice “Dina? Come in!”. I open the door and Hina is sitting on her bed typing on a notebook, “What are you doing?”.

“Oh, this? I was making some planning for the project”.

“Already? You could do this tomorrow, you know?”.

“Yeah, but I wanted to do it anyway”.

“Did you manage to get any book about scriptwriting?”.

“Yeah, here it is. There are some notes on the time I read it but if it doesn’t bother you it could be useful”.

“No problem, it will help a lot!”.

I hear a knocking on the door “Hina, they asked me to call you, could you call the other girl on my place?”. This voice sounds familiar…

“Thomas? If it’s about Dina she’s here with me, we’re going downstairs soon”.

“Ok, I’ll tell everyone”.

Hina starts stretching her back and arms.

“Let’s go then, I need to introduce Thomas to you all”.

“How long have you known each other?”.

“Hm, if my memory is not mistaken, we have known each other since junior high school. I became his grandma’s neighbor, so every weekend he showed up there, but some things happened later, and he didn’t visit anymore”.

“What kind of things?”.

“His grandma passed away, but it was not as if I stopped seeing him after that. We studied in the same school so we already met very often”.

“I see…”.

“Anyway, let’s go, the guys must be waiting for us”.

“Ok”.

Finally, with everyone there Hina gets up from the chair and introduces Thomas:

“Right guys, this is my childhood friend whom I talked about earlier”.

“Nice to meet you, I’m a visual arts student”.

“I’m Eric, I take the animation course”.

“Pleasure, I’m Drake from the gastronomy course”.

“I’m Nian, Eric’s girlfriend. As you might have noticed I don’t live here, but I come to visit sometimes. I’m a second-year student from the fashion design course”

“She says ‘sometimes’, but it’s already the second time she comes her-”. Before Eric finishes talking Nian gives him a sharp look that makes him shut his mouth immediately. At least Nian seems to be a faithful person.

“I’m Dina, from the cinema course like Hina”.

“Oh, yes, you were the girl from earlier, did you find who you were looking for?”.

“N-no, I ended up not finding him hahaha…”.

Hina looks at me with curiosity, “Were you looking for someone Dina?”.

“I-it was only a cousin, yeah, a cousin! I thought he got into the visual arts course, as amazing as it sounds his name is Thomas too”.

“Oh yeah, I’m the only Thomas in my class, so your cousin probably didn’t pass the entrance exams, it’s a shame”.

“No problem, it happens hahaha…”.

This situation is embarrassing, I’m glad I came up with an excuse, but I feel humiliated, I can’t believe I was interested in someone like him. The worst thing is that he doesn’t even seem to take care of his own appearance. He’s using another shirt now, but there still are paint stains on it. His skin looks awful, and he has dark circles.

What’s the harm in taking care of your own appearance? Specially being so ugly! This only makes me more irritated. He should at least be presentable to compensate his face! Always being presentable, that’s how a person should be and that’s how I was raised. Seeing someone I respect looking so mediocre annoys me!

“Going straight to the point Thomas, I want to explain to you the current situation. We’re planning on making an animated short film, the duration is five minutes and the deadline is the end of this month. Hina is the productor, I’m the director and Dina is the scriptwriter”.

Thomas looks pensive while Eric speaks”.

“We need one more person to help us with the animation, could you do it?”.

Silence moves through the kitchen air and after a long pause Thomas takes his decision.

“I’m sorry, but I can’t help”.