Digital art

Liam and Noah arrived at Sarah's house, a tall three-story building tucked into a dimly lit alleyway. A green metal gate stood in front of it, slightly rusted at the edges. Sarah was already there, waiting for them with her arms crossed, her usual smirk in place.

Liam pulled his activa to a stop and nudged Noah with his elbow. "Alright, kiddo. End of the road."

Noah hesitated before climbing off the scooter. "Uh, yeah… thanks."

Sarah gave him a quick nod. "Hey, Noah."

Noah cleared his throat. "H-hi."

Liam turned to Sarah, wagging a finger at her. "Now listen, don't do anything weird to him, alright? He's innocent."

Sarah scoffed. "When have I ever done anything weird to anyone?"

Liam gave her a long, silent stare.

Sarah rolled her eyes. "Okay, fine. Once. That was one time, and it was an experiment."

Noah blinked. What experiment?

Liam, apparently deciding not to push the topic, revved his scooter. "Alright, Noah, be good. And if she starts sacrificing goats or summoning demons, call me."

Sarah gasped, clutching her chest dramatically. "How dare you expose my hobbies?"

Liam just cackled before speeding off, leaving Noah standing awkwardly in front of Sarah. He was already regretting his life choices. He didn't know Sarah well, barely even spoke to her before today. He'd be fine staying at any guy's house or maybe even Maiya's place. But Sarah? This was weird.

Sarah clapped her hands together. "Alright, let's go inside."

Noah followed her in, every step feeling like he was entering enemy territory.

The house was spacious but had a strange atmosphere, dim lighting mixed with books and papers scattered around like a mad scientist's lair. There were maps pinned on the walls, some with strange markings and notes scribbled all over them.

Sarah caught him staring. "Oh, that? Just some research."

Noah swallowed. "Research on…?"

Sarah shrugged. "Fantasy stuff. Alternate dimensions. Magic systems. You know, normal things."

Yeah.Totally normal.

Sarah turned to face him. "So, have you finished your drawing for the art battle?"

Noah blinked. "Uhh… no."

Sarah tilted her head. "Really? Maiya boasts about you a lot."

Noah's eyes widened. "She does?"

Sarah nodded. "Yeah. She says you're insanely good."

Noah scratched the back of his neck. "Uh, I mean… I guess? But, um, I—uh—I'm kinda stuck right now."

Sarah held out her hand. "Let me see."

Noah hesitated before handing over Liam's sketchbook. Sarah flipped through the pages, her brow furrowing as she examined each one.

"It looks like you don't know what to draw," she finally said.

Noah sighed. "Yeah… pretty much."

Sarah tapped her chin. "Why don't you try drawing a sexy, hot male elf with tight abs?"

Noah snorted. It felt like déjà vu.

"I'll, uh… I'll think about it," he muttered.

Sarah grinned. "You better."

She handed the sketchbook back. "Anyway, you can stay in the guest room. Make yourself at home."

Noah nodded. "Uh, yeah. Okay. Thanks."

Sarah waved a hand. "No problem. Honestly, I could use the company. You know, this alleyway is kinda dangerous."

Noah stiffened. "Oh. Uh. Okay."

Sarah's face fell. "Dude, relax. I'm not gonna murder you."

Noah forced a laugh. "Hah. Haha. Yeah. Of course. That's… that's funny. Heh."

Sarah sighed and rubbed her temples. "You are way too awkward for your own good."

Noah just gave a stiff, fake smile.

Sarah shook her head. "Alright, I got some stuff to do, so I'll be in my room. Feel free to explore or whatever. Call me if you need anything."

Noah nodded too fast. "Y-yeah, sure. Will do."

Sarah started to walk away, then suddenly stopped and turned back.

"Wait. Have you eaten?"

Noah blinked. "Uh. Umm. No?"

Sarah groaned. "Damn that Liam. That idiot didn't even feed you before dropping you off?"

Noah rubbed the back of his neck. "I mean, I—I wasn't, uh, really that hungry—"

Sarah waved a hand. "Shut up. You're eating."

Noah snapped his mouth shut.

Sarah motioned him toward the kitchen. "I got some pizza left. Come sit."

Noah awkwardly shuffled over to the dining table and sat down as Sarah rummaged through the fridge.

She placed the pizza in front of him. "Eat."

Noah hesitated.

Sarah raised an eyebrow. "Dude. It's pizza. You eat it. With your mouth."

Noah cleared his throat. "Right. Yeah. Of course."

He grabbed a slice and took a bite.

Sarah leaned against the counter, watching him. "So, what exactly did Liam do this time?"

Noah swallowed. "Uh. Well… umm. He, uh… he got into a fight with… my brother."

Sarah's eyes narrowed. "Your brother. You mean Henry?"

Noah nodded, his shoulders tensing.

Sarah sighed. "Jesus Christ. That fucking idiot."

Noah coughed awkwardly. "Uh. Which one?"

Sarah smirked. "Take a wild guess."

Noah decided not to answer that.

He continued eating as Sarah listened to his explanation.

"Liam thinks Henry might show up at his house for revenge," Noah said. "And if he finds me there, it'll just… make things worse."

Sarah nodded. "Makes sense. Liam's an idiot, but he's not that much of an idiot."

Noah just nodded, unsure if he should be agreeing or defending Liam.

Sarah pushed off the counter. "Alright, finish eating. I'll be upstairs."

She walked away, leaving Noah alone with his pizza.

---

Later that night, Noah sat in the guest room, surrounded by crumpled pieces of paper. He kept trying to draw, but nothing felt right. Every idea he had seemed dull, forced.

He ran a hand through his hair in frustration. Why is this so hard?

Sarah walked in and immediately froze.

"Oh my god, this is a mess," she muttered.

Noah's head shot up. "I—I'll clean it! I swear!"

Sarah waved him off. "Relax, I don't care."

She walked closer, glancing at the papers. "So. Still can't draw, huh?"

Noah sighed. "Yeah."

Sarah crossed her arms. "You know, instead of wasting paper, you could try digital art."

Noah blinked. "Uh. Yeah. I, uh, I know what that is."

Sarah smirked. "Good. Then why don't you try it?"

Noah hesitated. "Umm… because I… uh… can't afford a tablet?"

Sarah let out a laugh. "Seriously?"

Noah shrugged. "Yeah…?"

Sarah rolled her eyes. "You could've just said so."

She walked over to a desk and pulled out a tablet.

"My dad got me a new one, so you can have this one," she said, holding it out. "I was gonna throw it away anyway."

Noah's eyes widened. "Wh—wait, really?"

Sarah tossed it at him, and he fumbled to catch it.

"Yeah. Consider it yours now."

Noah stared at the tablet like it was made of gold. "Th-thank you. Seriously."

Sarah waved a hand. "No need to thank me. Just don't break it."

Noah nodded furiously.

Sarah turned toward the door. "Now get some sleep. Or, you know, draw something good for once."

Noah laughed nervously. "Yeah. I'll, uh, I'll try."

Sarah smirked. "Good."

And with that, she left, leaving Noah alone with his thoughts and his brand-new tablet.