030

Jack splashed several thick lines of black paint in a vertical motion on a white canvas that was nearly as large as the wall behind it.

Each violent brush and splash slowly started to show the picture that was hidden in his mind and only further posed its purpose in transferring said image to the blank space.

Today was another day he had to spend some time doing art class. But this time around Jack thought about it further and tried to make it a little bit more interesting as well as practical. So he decided to make an art piece he could later use as decoration somewhere.

Although Ms. Ross clearly wanted every student to experience the best that art could bring out in them, her budget from the university was not exactly unlimited.

It was still good for now since the year only started but that was another matter entirely and would soon change.

After all, art was just such a monster in resource consumption to the point where she became a rare believer that art can come from anything. Meaning one should always strive to be frugal.

Yet she was rather shocked at the demand Jack had for resources on this day. It was a costly thing to paint a canvas as large as two meters. Not to mention the amount of paint he would use on it.

There was clear hesitation and at first, she believed she had pulled too much of the artist out from inside him.

But after Jack gave her the appropriate amount of cash that would rather compensate for the utensils, she just left him to his creativity. And only after seeing what he was making was she amazed even further.

Jack was now a student in her mind that didn't simply waste things without reason. Well, he was actually gaining plus points in the matter that he buys the things he used from her so that those resources could be replenished.

Yet what really amazed her was the finished abstract painting of a cityscape. It looked arbitrary at first and even brought the other students to look at his process in curiosity. But in the end, it still ended up a very clean depiction of a busy street at night.

After Jack signed his piece in a rather hidden place, he started undressing his leather apron and upper clothes that he wore specifically for this class.

Obviously, he wasn't keen on ruining all his clothing with paint and had some old ones prepared that he would use as his defacto painting attire.

Ms. Ross only stared at the painting and only after Jack approached her and talked did she come out of her thoughts.

"I'm done, Ms. Ross. That should be good enough for today. So I'll take my leave now. Could you give me a heads-up when the paint is dried up enough so I can later pick it up?"

"Ah, right." Barbara was a little bit startled but soon a wide smile appeared on her face. "Of course, I'll let you know. Don't worry about that."

When looking at her student now she was even more certain that he had a latent talent for art. Yet it made her even more curious why he was seeing this as some bothersome activity. Was it that dislikable?

She could only sigh at her own question. Maybe she still just didn't understand real geniuses? She really valued each and every student she had. But rarely did one appear that had an actual skill that seemed to improve at such a monstrous pace.

At least she got him to actually join the class and didn't push him more than necessary. And who knows, maybe it was just her misconception and he was lying about never really having touched art class before.

It's what she had asked him after noticing his rapid improvements. So what would even be the reason for him to lie at that moment?

"Thanks." Jack on the other hand was just kinda glad that he used less time on his art class this time and could now move on to his music activity.

When he was there he went straight to Ms. Dewitt and returned the borrowed guitar first. One reason was that he was already planning to make a trip to the city today.

Since Jack already received a mail from his bank that the money was now in the bank accounts, he could go and use some of it like for his art class.

The good thing is that the card in his possession was the one with most of the cash and he would receive the others later by mail. Later he would stop using this card and only use the prepared one that would be charged every month.

All in all, he had money to splurge and one of the things he would get himself would be a new acoustic and electric guitar as well as a few other musical instruments.

Normally he would go haywire and buy out a whole mini studio worth of stuff but he had to consider his current standpoint.

He had limited space in the apartment and still wasn't really needing that much. He also still could virtually add in other things like drums etc. on his computer.

Though his musician's brain was screaming to buy them and play each and every part himself. But that alone would eat away so much at his already limited free time...

What was his talk about freedom again? He is now kinda regretting ever having mentioned that while shackling himself down like this.

At least he was doing something that he was enjoying now. So he could not complain and was not seeing any fault in that.

"Are you free today?" That is if he didn't end up looking at the blue-haired maiden in front of him and already feeling somewhat guilty.

"Kinda...", Jack responded. "Wanna join me on a day trip to the city?" He felt like he shouldn't deny her again and tried to include her in his plan this time around. It was not something that private this time around and some company wouldn't be so unappreciated.

Eve widened her eyes. "What do you plan to do there?" She was genuinely surprised to hear him suggest a meeting point in the city. For a moment she thought he would dodge again. Maybe she is already a little bit too used to him being 'busy'.

"I was planning to buy some instruments for myself. Don't want to borrow them forever. We could also make a stop at Subs. So, are you on board?"

"I'm not sure..." Eve seemed to hesitate for a second.

Looking at her Jack kinda figured out what was on her mind. And he could only figure it out that easily because he experienced that himself more often than not.

"Don't worry. It's my treat. Can't just drag you along now and not be the one to take care of expenses, now can I?" There was a clear smirk on his face now.

It was true that people rarely liked to take charity and would feel uncomfortable taking so much from the person at first but if you were good at selling yourself and your intent. Then it was easy convincing the other to just follow the genuine investment to spend money in exchange for some time with the other person.

Though it was a lot easier this time around because the teen was thinking about something else entirely.

Eve smiled a little bit further and nodded "Alright, I'll join" She was actually going to suggest their old place for later after he was back.

But since he was proactively trying to get her to join him, she wasn't going to say no to a free meal. Also, was this considered a date?

Having that thought rush to her head she now had a light blush on her face. But she just shook her head and denied herself that obviously stupid idea. He was after all not really interested in her, right...?

When they both went ahead to get the bus Jack suddenly realized that he just had to buy a car...

Man, his head was sometimes in the clouds for no apparent reason. Well, for now, he would enjoy the old-school way of transportation.