CHAPTER II: Art Behind the Blank Pages

This is one of the days I wished didn't happen. It was a time where people from different departments mingle with others because they have similar majors or subjects.

One thing I hate is when unidentified beings try to talk to me, but blabber about me when shown no interest.

Apparently, this is one of the times where gossips take their full bloom.

I mean people from different places came to gather at one place. How can rumors not spread here when almost all of the nosy groups join forces even for a small amount of time?

Guess what? Being nosy knows no limits.

I can be sitting here and sneezing, later on, I'm already tainted as a carrier of a certain virus or something. Or maybe they just assume I'm unhygienic. Nevertheless, anyone gets the point.

So to avoid such a thing from happening, it's better to isolate yourself from their wandering noses and activated radars.

So here I was, staring blankly outside. From here, the field of green and clumps of other colors can easily be perceived.

The lecture the professor was discussing in front didn’t stir up my interest.

Luckily, my seat was next to the window. I can easily tune out the chaotic noise and focus on the aesthetics beyond this confining space.

Somehow, even though it was midday, the sun wasn't scorching at all.

I closed my eyes and felt the wind passing through the fluttering curtains.

It was pleasantly calm and refreshing.

With the world disregarded, the feeling of comfort within this isolation is incomparable.

That is until an unwanted force awakens you.

“Okay class, that would be all for today’s lecture. Make sure to indicate your sources properly. Submission is next week. I will not tolerate tardiness, got that?”

“Yes!”

After that the professor gathered his belongings and walked out of the room.

I checked my watch, there was at least an hour left before my next class.

I decided to stay seated and wait for the remaining students to move out of the room.

It’s a complete hassle to rush along with them.

To make myself busy, I began to fix my things, books and papers included. After finishing, a shadow was cast along my table.

“Ahm…”

I looked up and saw a girl standing in front of me. She was wearing a yellow crop top with a cat face in the middle. It was partnered with a white flannel and white denim skirt. There was also a distinct necklace around her neck which totally highlighted her collarbones.

I raised my right eyebrow and waited for her to speak.

“Ah, ah, the professor asked the class to pair up and work on the thesis. I didn’t think you heard. So, umm, is it ok to ask if you would like to pair up?” She was playing with her fingers as she uttered those.

“Do you know how to write a thesis?” I asked.

“Huh? Ah, yes, of course!” Was her immediate response.

I looked down on my desk and saw that I left my pen.

“Are you great at writing them?”

“Um, I t-think so?”

I placed the pen inside my shoulder bag and looked at her directly.

“Then, there’s no need to pair up. I can do it alone and so can you.” I replied. I swung my bag on my shoulder and began to walk away, leaving her completely dumbfounded.

I didn’t notice that there were a few students left. I didn’t pay them any mind and continued my pace towards the exit.

“What the heck? That sickening attitude of hers always leaves me dumbfounded.”

“Yeah, like Solar even approached the weirdo. The nerve.”

“What do you expect from a freakin’ lonely bitch?”

I was used to the glaring eyes and snarky remarks from poor bred like them, so it didn’t bother me at the least.

I just passed by them and went outside.

As usual, the hallways were booming with chattering students.

I sighed. I was already getting tired from just looking at it.

I fixed the strap on my shoulder and proceeded to go towards the garden, my sanctuary.

The garden was undeniably the most beautiful place within the campus.

It is booming with various flowers, all of which possess appealing colors.

It also has a fountain situated in the middle and a man made stream surrounding the area.

There are benches as well, scattered in numerous places. There’s nothing that can disturb the peace when surrounded by nature and silence.

I sat at my usual place, under the large tree. In this place, there is a wide, circular table, similar to those designed for tea parties.

I placed my bag on the chair beside mine and took out my sketchbook.

I flipped through the pages and saw nothing but black and white. To some it may look lifeless, but to me, it brings out the depth of each subject without altering its natural display of beauty and characteristic.

The way the lines and shades come together and form an idea with the purpose of connection and application of one’s perspective.

It’s simple yet thought about.

I caressed the blank page with my fingers.

What shall I share with you today?

Without knowing it, my hand grabbed a pencil and started to imprint the dark lines onto the awaiting canvas.

After a few moments, the wind suddenly blew. Some strands of my hair flew in front of my face, blocking the view of what I was sketching.

Argh, the struggles of having long hair.

When the wind calmed down, I scooped up my hair and fixed it into a high ponytail.

“Now then, back to work.”

As I said that, I couldn’t help but look ahead.

My attention was drawn to a figure directly opposite from where I sat.

There was a man standing on top of the boulders that was surrounded by flowers and leaves.

The sun was shining upon him, like some spotlight meant for a spectacular being.

He was wearing a long white sleeve polo that was folded up until his elbows which highlighted his toned arms. He paired it with a black ankle pants suit along with white sneakers.

He was looking at the sky without a care in the world.

I watched as he brushed his shoulder length hair. A stunning rose gold.

An unusual color yet so captivating.

The way his hair flowed along with the waltz of the passing breeze made him stand out more.

An art of a different magnitude.