Painting

The next morning I wake up and remember everything that happened last night, everything about the human that can transform into a creature, about the kitty that can climb to my balcony and about the ruby necklace. I can't elaborate. I leave my bed and go to the bathroom to take a shower. I remember Noah told me that I must wear the necklace all the time so I wear it when taking a shower. Once I'm done, I make some breakfast which is a scrambled egg with some chicken breast. I have no appetite but I force myself to eat everything. I check my phone and there's a message from Noah.

-Good morning, Sera. Please take care of yourself and can you meet me today during lunchtime? I will see you at building B.

I reply it with just one word.

-OK.

It's still 9 in the morning, I have 3 hours until the meeting time with Noah so I spend 2 hours just to watch some movies. When the clock strikes 11, I go to my bedroom, I open my wardrobe and take my knitted cardigan and wear my moccasins. I bring my key with me and my satchel bag. I go down to the lobby area and the receptionist call my name.

"Miss?"

"Yes?"

"I think you got a mail, this morning someone put some package inside your mailbox. Perhaps you want to take it."

"Thank you, but I don't recall ordering something."

I walk outside and check my mailbox. I open the lock and I find a package inside my mailbox. I take it out and read the package cover.

= Jacqueline Sera Lilliane

Room 412, "Y" Student Housing

258421

Then I read the information about the sender but there's only 1 letter,

=B

I open the package and find a bracelet inside. I look at the bracelet and I think for a while, should I wear it or not. I decided to put it back in the package box and put it in my bag then I walk to the university.

I arrive at the university and I go to building B. I text Noah to tell him that I'm already in building B.

-Noah, I'm in the lobby of building B.

-Wait for me, I'll be there in 5 minutes.

I put my phone away and wait near a vending machine. I take a look at the vending machine and there are lots of drinks. Between all the drinks, there's something that I really like, which is a matcha latte. I insert some coin and press number B12. The machine push the bottle out and I take it. I open the bottle and when I'm about to drink it, someone tap my shoulder. I turn around and see a girl, standing behind me. She looks quiet familiar for me and I realize that she's one of Noah's friend.

"Excuse me, I remember I saw you at the tram station with Noah."

"I'm sorry but who are you?"

"Just one of Noah's friend. Now can you move a little? I want to buy something."

I shifted to the left to let her use the vending machine. I drink my matcha and from the corner of my eyes, I see someone is coming to my direction.

"Sera!"

"So your name is Sera." said the girl.

I just give her a nod then I left the girl and walk to Noah.

"I'm sorry to keep you waiting."

"It's ok. So, what is it?"

"I want to show you something, come with me."

He take me to the art room which is located on the second floor. He opens the door to let me in. It's a big room with lots of easel. There are lots of canvas at the corner of the room and there's a statue at the middle of the room. I walk to the canvas to examine it and it's just a row of empty canvas.

"Sera, here."

Noah calls me from the other side of the room and I approach him. He is standing in front of the easel and he's holding a set of brush on his right hand and a pallete on his left hand. There's a big canvas and it's been half painted.

"Can you stand there and stay still for 10 minutes?"

"Umm. . . why?"

"I need to finish this but I need your help."

"Alright."

I stand in the middle of the room and face his direction. He starts to paint and to be honest, I'm fascinated with him. Sometimes he looks at me then he moves the brush smoothly. He looks so magnificent and I can't stop staring at him. I got enchanted by him.

"Sera?"

"Eh? Noah?"

"I'm done. Do you want to see it?"

"Sure."

I walk to his direction and I look at the painting. It's a painting of a girl looking at a picture but the girl in the painting looks very similar to me. The background of the painting is a room which I can't identify.

"Is that me?"

"Yes. It's you."

"Why you draw me?"

"I have no significant or special reason."

"It's beautiful, I mean the background of the painting, it's so perfect."

"I want you to have it."

"What?"

"You heard me? I want you to have it."

"Well, thank you. I'll bring it home."

He smiles at me and put everything down on the table then he walks to the toilet to wash his hands. When he's back, he brings the painting down and give it to me.

"Thank you, Noah."

I receive the painting and put it near the leg of the easel. I open my bag and take out the package that I received this morning then show it to him.

"What is this?"

"I don't know. I got this earlier and I think I need to tell you."

He reads the cover of the box and immediately throw it to the painting. I see the box goes into the painting and I got aghast.

"Did the box just went into the painting?"

"What?"

He looks at the painting and realize what he has done. He showed her something that he hides from everyone.

"I can explain everything."

"Noah. . ."