9 8
4 days Later_
"I honestly feel like killing myself right now!" Ashton groaned as he dramatic dropped his head on the table before lifting it back up to me "Cal, please please help me with my assignments, I didn't know they would add up like this," he rubbed his hands together in a praying motion.
"You don't have to ask, I was going to help regardless," I laughed.
"I owe you one," Ashton smiled before engulfing me in a hug.
"Hey," we turn to see Semi walking up to us "did you see the board outside?" He asked worried.
"No?"
"Apparently Jacky's boyfriend- well ex boyfriend got caught hooking up with her best friend Ali."
"Wait wait Jacky Anne or Jacky with the funky hair?" Ashton asked.
"Which one has a friend named Ali?" Semi looked at him with a dumb expression.
"Both of the know that Ali chick you idiot now which one?" I pushed his head lightly so he can go on.
"Ooh I didn't know that, but anyways Jacky funky hair."
"Ben?! I thought Ben was head over heals for Jacky though!" Ash freaked out.
"I saw them yesterday looking like all normal together," I mumbled.
"I'm still weirded out about Ali though like, I thought Ben and her hated one another, like I'm kidding you not Jacky would always say they were at each other's throats."
"Maybe it was all an act so no one would be suspicious of them," I shrugged my shoulders.
"Well anyways I guess Jacky took screenshots of all their messages especially the-," Semi coughed and gave us a glance "the sexual ones and put them all over the board in each hallway."
"This feels like high school sometimes," I laughed lightly.
"Well yeah, but she could've just posted about it I mean her Instagram has a lot of followers, this feels like we are in the 1980s or something," Ashton laughed.
"Maybe she did, I haven't looked at my Instagram, and what if she did it for like an atheistic in a way?" I suggested.
"Yeah I would do the same thing if I caught my boyfriend cheating on me with my best friend," Ash shrugged.
Semi opens his phone before showing us his screen, a post by Jacky about the situation "iconic," Ashton smiled.
"Honestly," I smiled softly before adjusting myself in my seat.
"Anyways we have them next lecture, all three of them," Semi sighed before he began rubbing his head.
"All eyes will be on them, I hope they get in a fight," Ash laughed.
"I mean Ali knew they were together so she's just as fault as Ben," I shrugged "honestly Ali was born in like a structured normal home from what I can tell, I doubt she can fight, Jacky... shit Jacky's gonna brutally murder the fuck out of her."
"Calista has saw Jacky beat the fuck out of her ex boyfriend because he was also cheating," Ash sighs "Jacky's such a sweet girl though like she keeps sticking herself with those ugly bastards that are honestly way below her," I nod as Ashton speaks.
"From how much I've spoken to her she seems like a super chill person," Semi added.
__
I got the day off today to go to Luna's art gallery and currently sitting down as Ashton is doing my hair in my living room.
"The fact that Ben and Ali didn't show up is so disappointing, I was really hoping to see Jacky beat them up," he sighed devastated as I roll my eyes and laugh lightly.
"So what are you going to wear anyway?" He changed the subject.
"Maybe some baggy jeans and crop top," I shrugged.
"No you are not Cal!" I hear Luna walking into the living room upset "you're making me wear this!" She held up a cute black dress I bought her for the occasion.
"You're showing off your art babes you have to look your best," I argued.
"And you're the person in my art! You need to look presentable as well!"
"She does have a point Cal, I'll jump out your window before letting you walk out the house wearing this for an important event," Ashton nodded.
"I thought it was just an art gallery?" I sighed.
"Are you forgetting how well known Mr. Antol is?" Luna looked at me worried.
"No offense to him but I don't really know him that well love," I looked at her confused.
"Yeah I'm not into art that much babe so can you like elaborate on how well known is your teacher?" Ashton asked.
"Okay look Mr. Antol has traveled his entire life at just 16 to see art all over the world, he has met famous artist and is also well known due to his connection and outgoing art," Luna said proudly as I just nodded at her information.
"I mean good for him babe but what does that have to do with me having to go dressed up?"
"What she means Calista is that many important people might attend and you must look your absolute best or she will murder you," Ashton pulled my hair lightly "and I will kill you as well for not using what has been given to you."
"Okay okay, but I don't really have a dress to go with the theme," I sighed annoyed.
"You don't have to match his theme because you're my theme, so we just need a nice dress for you," Ashton nodded as they both ran into my room and into my closet.
"This one?" I hear Luna ask Ashton.
"Ew no," he gagged.
I heard more rumbling before it went quiet.
"What about-?"
"You mean-?"
I heard them talk to one another not hearing everything.
"We are taking the bad boy out!" Luna yelled as she walked out.
"What?" I looked at her confused.
"Behold this one that I have given you last Christmas which I know you've never worn because of the tag," Ashton walked out my room with long black dress behind him.
"Isn't that too much though?" I stood up and touched the fabric "it also feels to expensive to wear out," I sighed.
"Oh please baby this dress was for you to put to good use," Ashton sighed as he held it to my body "plus this isn't to much, it's just perfect for this event."
"This dress screams out my art of you Cal!" Luna clapped happily as I gave her a nervous smile.
"I just don't want to overdo it and feel left out," I sighed.
"You literally have me wearing this long dress as well, at least we will match," she tried to convince me as I nod softly.
"Okay okay, but I guess that means you're making me food for the next 3 days," I smirked at her as she smiled happily and nodded.
"So naturally wavy slash curly pony tail then right? Like lazy but model like?" Ash turned to Luna who gives him a thumbs up.
"No jewelry since it has like a scarf, the less you have the more you give," Luna winked at me.
"And what heals will I be wearing?" I laughed.
"Do you have some regular pumps?" Ash asked as he looked down at me from doing my hair.
"The black ones?"
"You're wearing black on black?" Ashton scoffed.
"No need to be rude god," I rolled my eyes "those are really comfy and my style."
"Wait are you all talking about the really nice kind of platform heels?" Luna looked at us nervously.
"Yeah?"
"I felt like they looked so plain so I-," Luna backed away quickly running to my room before appearing in front of me again with my heels which had a small design of moon and stars "painted on them," she sighed.
"You're an angel sent down from heaven Luna, now they are able to wear with the dress," Ashton patted her back happily.
"Thank god these aren't designer and I got them from a thrift shop," I smiled and looked at Luna "well you did incorporate something special to me," I laughed as I poked her cheek.
"I was just thinking of myself and how amazing I am," Luna laughed lightly.
"Well as much as you want to act all cocky and be self absorbed, you're still my special little moon," I grabbed her and brought her into my arms into a hug.
"Cal stop no!" She yelled loudly as I laughed and messed up her hair.
"Okay enough- ugh you just messed up the entire hair Cal!" Ashton groaned as he threw the brush beside me and dramatically fell on the couch behind us "we have to leave in an hour and a half and we haven't even started on your makeup."
"It's okay if you guys are late, not really, but I need to be there on time so if you don't mind I would rather Ashton finish me off quickly and meet you all at the studio," Luna pushed me off the chair as she sat herself.
"I guess since my seats been taken I will go do my makeup."
Ashton gets up from his seat before spraying water on Luna's head and sighed "if you're going to do your makeup keep it simple kind of like dewy, moist-."
"Ew I hate that word," Luna cringed.
"Well I don't really give a shit," he rolled his eyes before spraying her face "back to what I was saying, since we're going for the natural lazy pony tail-."
"Oh my god wait what if we just clip-," Luna began to cut off Ashton again.
"I swear to god Luna," he sprayed her face again as she yelled lightly "stop cutting me off," he groaned.
Luna wipes the water off he face before rolling her eyes "sorry but instead of a pony tail why not just clip her hair back? Doesn't the store on the next street own a huge collection?"
"You know what, you're right! I'll be back!" Ashton dropped everything what he was doing before running out the front door.
"You could've finished my hair before!" Luna yelled.
"You should've left that comment after," I chuckled as she looked up at me and sighed.
"Cal...," she whispered "I'm scared shitless right now to be honest."
"Cause of the gallery?"
"I'm freaked! But I'm also excited to show off my art, but I feel like once I open my mouth to explain my pieces I won't be able to speak, not only that Mr. Antol has asked some of the students to give a small speech on our art work after the show and explain why we paint, and why we painted what we painted," she mumbled as she played with her fingers.
I smile softly and take her hands into mine before lowering myself to her eye level, "you know your art better than anyone, you know the reasons on why you did what you did, why you painted what you painted, every time you finish one of your artworks and show it to me a week later I know it's because you're nervous for my opinion and others, however no one's opinions matter when comes to your art. You do what you do because you're a talented and wonderful child, after this accident that had happened to your hand you were so determined to keep art in your life that made me realize how strong and amazing you are. When I see the art you've done I almost cry to see how someone could look at me so beautiful, to view me in such a light that I don't even look at myself in that way," my eyes began to water as she softly cried. "I am proud to know someone sees what I see in you, and I am proud to call you my sister and in a way my daughter, I love you my moon," I smiled as I kissed her forehead before she ran into my arms and began crying.
"I am so thankful for everything you do for me Calista, I'm so thankful for everything," she cried harder.
"Okay babes stop crying," I rubbed her head softly as I laid mine on hers.
"I love you," she sniffed.
"I know," I laughed lightly as she giggled.
"Now let me do a bit of makeup on you before Ashton gets here."
__
"So this is the clip?" I looked down at a simple crescent moon as Ashton touched up my makeup with the things he wanted to add.
"Oh and these small star pins," he grabbed a bag from behind him before handing it to me "start holding them in your hand, I can't believe that we're already 30 minutes late."
"You're the one that wanted to change before you finished with me," I groaned.
"I didn't think I was going to take 40 minutes," he sighed as he added a bit more blush on me.
"At least you finished with Luna pretty quick," I smiled.
Luna finished before us and went with one of her friends to the gallery to see how everything is set up, Ashton did her hair in a tight pony tail with a few cute Bobby pins that were decorated with flowers that he found at the shop. She wore her long black gown that was long sleeved with pretty lace, she wore some simple white short heels, and her makeup simple yet cute.
"She looked so lovely," Ashton squealed as he began on my hair once again.
"The innocent black gown and bold pony tail really fit her face structure, I just wish we could've done more on her," he sighed.
"She looked perfect, I just feel like I'm doing to much, I want the attention on her," I mumbled.
"Please she wants you to go all out, you're her model plus she wants to set you up with her teacher," Ashton laughed lightly.
__
"Is Semi coming to the event?" Ashton asked as we walked in our cheap fur coats down the stairs to the sub.
"I gave him an invitation that he can bring one more person since he's been wanting to look at Luna's art," I shrugged.
"I hope he brings that huge man they call their captain," Ashton gushed over Ushijima.
"Doesn't really matter to me as long as they don't cause a ruckus," I sighed.
"Oh please he looks like a quiet type of man, he doesn't seem like the rest of their team," Ashton laughed as I scanned my card and let people pass to enter.
"Very quiet indeed," I giggled.
"I've seen him around school in his workout clothes, and boy oh boy does he have an ass."
"When they work in an area that requires a lot of squatting I hope they do."
"Please Cal you cannot tell me you do not find that man a tad bit attractive," Ash argued as we try to find a seat.
"I never said I found him unattractive, it's just my mind isn't focused on guys right now," I shrugged as I find a seat and beat him to it.
"Ugh!" Ashton groaned "well at least you remember his name and that you find him tolerable."
"I will be honest, Ushijima is very attractive, large built body and large hands, honestly one of the most handsome men I have met, but I got other things in my life."
"As shocked as I am right now, I am also very saddened that you won't think of him as anything else but eye candy."
__
"Are you sure this is the place?" I asked Ashton as we looked up at a nice building that many people with designer and well wealth walked in and out of.
"Please I know my city and this place is definitely it," Ashton scoffed before looking at the building nervously.
"Why do I feel like if I step a foot in there something will automatically break," I laughed lightly.
"Honestly same," Ashton looked down at me as we wrap our arms together.
"We can't stall anymore we're an hour late and they will soon show the students art," I sighed "it's now or never."
We began to walk inside and meet a lady in the front "this is the showing of Antol right?" Ash asked with a smile as the lady looked at us up and down.
"Yes, invitation?" She held out her hand as people walked past by us.
"Of fucking course," Ashton whispered in my ear.
I grab the small cold paper from my bag before handing it to her as she looked at me surprised "you may go," she mumbled.
"What a fucking bitch? Just because we aren't wearing Louis Vuitton or Gucci we had to be looked at ugly, well jokes on you sister designer doesn't mean you know fashion," he screamed lightly and turned back at her before I gripped on his forearm and dragged him away to hand out coats to another worker.
"You just take a right here for the art show ma'am," I male worker instructed as he glanced at my chest.
"What are you looking at?" Ashton spoke in a very deep tone as his large body towers over the worker who looks away quickly.
"N-nothing s-sir," he stuttered.
"Just messing with you babe," Ashton said in his normal voice before patting his back, I laughed lightly.
"I swear," I hit his chest "I sometimes can't with you."
"The fact that you look like a complete goddess and don't want to get laid makes me need to be the protector for you tonight," Ashton pointed at me.
"Puh-lease you'll spot some hot man and on your way you go," I nudged his arms.
"Well I don't think you'll be leaving Luna's side all night."
"Depends if she runs off with her friends and I am left alone," I nodded.
"Well I'll have my eyes on you if I do end up getting distracted," Ashton smiled as we arrive at 2 large doors that were open showing a quiet yet talkative art gallery.
The ceiling was quite unusual as books were attached by strings seeming like they are falling. We turn to the right to see people gathered around portraits of different looking objects and shapes on some sort of glass frame from the ground up, the walls curved showing more and more different colored paintings feeling a bit uncomfortable due to the feelings and different tones. I looked down at my dress and look around the room seeing people in different colored clothing that were as bright as they come, hell even Ashton wore a lilac silk shirt with black simple jeans cut from the side. We walk some more until we reach the middle of the gallery to only see 5 large portraits of myself in black and white and one colored in the middle. Luna stood there looking nervously as people smiled with saddened eyes at her art work.
"Luna," I whispered as we reach her only to turn to me and smile brightly.
"Cal!," she walked over to me quickly before grabbing my hand and placed me right beside her "stay here I'll be calling Mr. Antol to tell him that you just got here!" She said in a excited tone as she ran away quickly.
"Well I can't cross the line here, so I guess I'll watch you from a distance," Ashton whispered to me as I looked at him with sad smile.
"I thought I would've been able to walk around not be the artist model," I laughed lightly.
"Well what can I say, beauty is pain," he laughed as someone offered him a glass of champagne as I frown.
"Get me one," I groaned.
"As much as I want to turn up with you, I am not a rule breaker when it comes to art, I shall not reach over the line, plus you're near the art you can drop the glass and mess up Luna's work duh," he hit his head.
I roll my eyes as I look around my surroundings as more and more people gather around me to stare at Luna's pieces. It felt strange in a way, I'm a performer so I'm kind of used to people having their eyes on me, however standing here next to these portraits my younger sister worked on day and night made me feel in a way uncomfortable. It's like everyone was judging me or judging her work of me, they looked at one another and whispered, they turned back to me before giving me a soft yet somber smile before walking off glancing at me. I know I probably sat here for 2 minutes or so until Luna came back with her art teacher at hand, I walked towards them and smiled.
"I know you have both met but I just wanted to bring you here to have a chat with my sister if you'd like," Luna smiled at her teacher. Mr. Antol stood there with his hair in a simple ponytail and his glasses on his head, he had a regular black suit on which didn't scream anything.
"Uhm gladly," Mr. Antol held out his hand to me as glance at it before turning my gaze else where "uh there's a bar just to the far left to socialize with the guest, we can chat there while Luna presents her work," he pulled at his collar lightly as I nod in silence.
"You look very beautiful today Calista," Mr. Antol smiled at me as sighed softly.
"Thank you," I mumbled.
"I knew you were coming today since Luna really wanted show everyone her older sister she paints so perfectly," we arrived at the bar as I sat myself on a stool and turned to the bartender ordering a mojito "on me please," Mr. Antol handed his card over as I stay quiet.
"I know you're giving me the silent treatment due to my last comments about yours and Luna's life, I am terribly sorry for my actions," he apologized "I know Luna kind of just threw me at you right now but for the sake of not making Luna feel awkward tension between us can we in a way call a truce?"
Mr. Antol held out his hand once again, I sighed knowing I was going to agree to his deal for Luna, I just honestly do not want to shake his hand "truce," I mumbled as the bartender handed me my drink and walked away.
"You are a very stubborn person Calista," Mr. Antol chuckled.
"Oh no Mr. Antol this isn't me being stubborn, it's role as her guardian- as her mother figure that you question my capability," I laughed as I drank my liquor "I don't like having these type of feelings since they are so bothersome for me to hold, but you did cross the line when we first met."
"And I understand that, I feel terrible for making such assumptions, I am very sorry," he rubbed his head, I look down at my drink realizing I finished it, I slowly get off the stool and began to walk awake.
"See you later I guess," I mumbled as I walked back to Luna who was now smiling happily towards a few people that she had probably been talking to, I turn my gaze to Ashton already talking to another visitor here flirting to his heart's content.
I felt someone tap my shoulder only turning to Semi with one of his large smirks and his Captain behind him looking honestly very beautiful, he had a dark teal tight long sleeve shirt that fit him very well and some bell bottom like slacks that made him seem taller than he already is, his fingers where wrapped in bandages and a few rings. His hair slicked from the top decorated with a gold clip with some stones on it, as the rest of his hair messily ran down close to his shoulders, a pearl stoned gold necklace that sat on his neck, and one of his ears held a pearl earring which fit the simplicity yet boldness of his outfit. I knew I was probably staring to much at the giant man when Semi let out a loud cough knocking me out of the trance I was apparently in, I blink quickly looking away not trying to get caught knowing clearly I already will be teased later on by Semi.
( ART IN COMMENT SECTION:))) EEEEE YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW EXCITED AND ANNOYED I WAS DRESSING HIM UP(ᗒᗣᗕ)՞)
"Well hello I'm here too you know?" Semi laughed as his captain nudged him hard.
"Hi," I mumbled already annoyed at the sudden outcome.
"Hi," Ushijima said in a low yet booming voice.
"Wheres Mikey?" Semi asked as he stood beside.
"Mikey?"
"You know Michelangelo?"
"Who the hell are you asking about?"
"Your sister dummy, you know because she's an artist? God," Semi groaned as I roll my eyes at him.
"She's right behind me if you actually looked around the room," I said sarcastically and turned around to only see her area to be completely surrounded "oh-, well where all the people are at," I sighed.
"Thank you very much," Semi patted my head before turning his body and began walking towards Luna, I glance at Ushijima to only see him looking down at me, for some odd reason I felt my heart begin to beat quickly and turn my head to another direction to avoid his gaze.
"We should go catch him before he makes a complete fool of himself," Ushijima mumbled under his breathe, I look back at him to only see him standing only a feet away from me with his hand out slightly for me to walk in front of him. I nod slowly as I regain myself and begin to walk in front him. I can feel his body right behind mine as we reach Luna's area, Semi stood there gawking at the portraits of myself, it was still quite full as we try to make ourselves through the small crowd. Suddenly Ushijimas hand comes from behind my waist as he began pushing people away from me "Excuse me," he whispered close to my ear "thought this would've been easier," he continued as I nod slowly.
Ushijima's POV༄
"Still don't know why you would like to come with me? I mean you don't even like going out for small inconveniences, why now to an art gallery?" Semi asked as I was rubbing my wet hair with a small towel.
"Haven't you guys wanted me to go out more often? Get out of my comfort zone?" I mumbled.
"Yeah of course but I'm just wondering why now all of a sudden?" He laughed as he tied down his shoe laces.
"Just because."
"Whatever I guess, you look nice though didn't know you had any sense of fashion?"
I didn't really in full honesty.
Not until I heard about this event from Semi asking for someone to go with him knowing Calista was most likely going as well. Knowing she seemed like a fashionable person from small glances at school and her best friend as well I just assumed I should dress myself well to at least try to get her attention. I stayed up the night before looking for style she might find attractive, of course I didn't know her type or what she was into, and I just went earlier today find some clothing to fit my body with Semi since he didn't have anything to wear as well.
We were already late due to Semi having problems with his stomach and taking another shower after his business, I looked at my phone realizing we were already behind the time we were suppose to leave the apartment "we're extremely late let's go," I mumbled annoyed as I slip on a pair of boots and grabbed my leather jacket before turning to Semi as he walked down the hallway struggling with his pants zipper.
"They'll be there until 11 why the rush?" He asked as he fixed his hair.
The rush? Shit yeah I look suspicious.
"You're such an uptight person on time you know that right cap?" Semi looked up at me and chuckled before patting my back as he walked out the front door.
I roll my eyes and lock the door "whatever," I grumbled.
As we walk to the elevator and I feel my phone buzz in my pocket, I open up the screen to see a message about some random crap my mother texted and another from my job.
"I'm pretty excited about today," Semi began to speak "When I first met Cal I honestly thought she was a teen mom, I got to know her and realized the way I saw the world wasn't the way I should live my life," he chuckled "pretty embarrassing every time I think of it."
"We have no reason to judge people, you and I aren't perfect, what right do we have?" I mumbled.
"We judged that karasuno team and lost," he laughed as I hummed in agreement.
"I just know for a fact that her sister has some talent just like her," he turned to me and smiled "I never got to ask you about her performance?"
"Her voice was very pleasant to hear," I mumbled.
"That was the first time I heard her as well, I'm glad you enjoyed it cap. The team and I have decided to spend our free time there when we had the chance due to the relaxed environment."
"Are you sure it's not just the environment?" I sighed before smirking down at him.
"Well the area is pretty close, they serve really good food and well you know it doesn't hurt us when we get to hear and look at pretty girls," he shrugged before laughing.
"I get no invite?" I mumbled and looked at the elevator to see us reach the bottom floor before I begin to walk.
"We just assumed you wouldn't like to spend your time to relax with things like that, we weren't trying to you know-."
A small chuckled left past my lips as I turn back to him "I would still like it if you all asked."
"Y-yes cap," Semi smiled happily before walking over to me.
"You mean it though you'll go with us?" He asked.
"If I'm not busy with work I would go with you all."
"What made you change your mind about those type of scenes?"
"I should leave my house more often that's all," I mumbled.
__
"Right this way sir," a worker led me to the coat section as I drop off my jacket as Semi walked beside me.
"A right where large doors open is the gallery sir," another bowed as I send a quick nod in their direction.
"I'm so excited right now," he laughed beside me as people turned to us.
As we enter the art gallery we notice many many people crowded inside looking at some pieces, Semi look around as did I trying to find Calista or an area where a young girls stood.
We walked towards the middle of the room and there she stood.
In a black gown that fit her body perfectly, hugged her curves and her personality, well the one I barely know, her back was turned to us, Semi walked ahead of me before tapping on her shoulder. Calista turns to us as I turned my gaze to another direction trying to seem as if I wasn't paying attention to her, without any words spoken for a moment I turn to her only seeing her look away from me quite quickly.
(ART IN COMMENT SECTION :))))OF COURSE I KNEW WHAT SHE WAS WEARING BECAUSE UGHHHH SHES AN ICON(•̀ᴗ•́)و)
"Well hello I'm here too you know?" Semi laughed as I nudged him rather hard.
"Hi," Calista mumbled.
I say in a mumble a small hi back.
"Wheres Mikey?" Semi asked.
"Mikey?" Calista looked at him confused.
"You know Michelangelo?"
"Who the hell are you asking about?"she rolled her eyes at him.
"Your sister dummy, you know because she's an artist? God," Semi groaned.
"She's right behind me if you actually looked around the room," Calista sarcastically said and turned around to show us a group of many people completely surrounding her sisters area "oh-, well where all the people are at," I smile lightly before glancing away.
"Thank you very much," Semi patted her head before turning his body and began walking towards I presume is her little sister, I look at her only for our eyes to meet. Quickly she turned her head to another direction to avoid my stare, which in full honesty made me blush. Maybe I was overthinking but I felt she seemed nervous around me, either that or she completely hates me for being around her often.
Maybe I was giving myself false hope when I keep catching her look at me, maybe she just likes my outfit or finds it weird, wants to have a conversation but doesn't know how to start it or she's uncomfortable around me.
"We should go catch him before he makes a complete fool of himself," I mumbled trying to make the atmosphere a bit less awkward, we began to walk slowly through the crowd as I stick my arm out so people won't push her or get in her personal bubble. Our bodies were quite close due to all the people and in full honesty I was crossing her bubble without knowing until now, I mentally slap myself.
I turn to what she's looking at to only see Semi looking at what I think are the portraits, not being able to see due to the people in front of us, I reach my hand out from beside her waist as I began pushing people away from her so she won't feel no pushbacks or discomfort.
"Excuse me," I bent down closer to her to excuse my sudden action "thought this would've been easier," I mumbled as she nodded.
Calista then went under the small rope in front of us as she stood inside the exhibit of her younger sister smiling softly and mumbling a soft thank you, I felt my cheeks flush at her sudden smile as I try to let out a quick no problem as she turned her attention to her sister who was also inside.
Semi reached me with a large smile "this little girl has some major talent Ushijima I almost began to cry when I saw the portraits," he mumbled "have you seen them yet?"
"No because you left Calista and I behind in a large crowd," I mumbled annoyed as I turn my gaze to the art that was hanging on the wall.
"You could've followed behind me you know-," and that's when everything went quiet, just like it did when I first laid my eyes on her, complete silence, as I take in each portrait. I felt my heart swell up and I clench my hand for some reason.
Each portrait was completely different of Calista, none however showed her smile, only a longing look with a stern expression, all black in white, one with paint, one with ink, one with charcoal, all different styles but same model, same expression all different feelings. As I take in the colorless border of art my eyes finally laid on the colorful beaming canvas in the middle of a child smiling knowing who it is I felt myself slowly begin to smile at happiness of the portrait itself.
I don't know Calista very well.
I don't know her at all.
These paintings of her only make me question her very existence.
Even when she stands in front of me breathing and talking I question myself if she's actually here.
If she's even real.
To have something so beautiful in front of you, someone so unearth like, an angel that might've fell into our world, a goddess searching for something she lost, Calista is an art piece.
I was hoping today to find out more about Calista, but was only met with even more curiosity.
"Ushijima," I heard someone call out to me as my eyes stay on the portraits "Ushijima?" I heard them call again "are you listening?" The rough nudge is what got me out of my dream which led me back into reality where Semi looked up at me confused and Calista looking at her sisters work, as a man stood on a small box with a microphone next to her younger sister.
"What's going on?" I mumbled as my eyes stayed on Calista.
"I don't know that's why I've been trying to get your attention for the past 5 minutes," Semi grumbled annoyed.
"Distracted," I whispered.
"Hello mic test one two," the man began to speak "ah yes hello everyone, thank you all for coming to my gallery today, thank you for your support and love for art itself. As you all may know I am an art teacher and have came across many talented students," Calista was now standing beside her sister holding her hand softly, I turn to semi who looked bored at the man speaking "who is he?" He turned to me confused.
"How would I know when I'm just a plus one," I shrugged.
"Luna why don't you explain your art and say a little about yourself," the man turns to Calistas sister as she slowly makes her way on the box.
"Hello my name is Luna Muniz, my art is my older sister Calista, I know art shouldn't be considered just one thing or one person, but for me my sister is Art itself, that sounds cringey," she laughed softly as Calista smiles at her. "I'm going deep now so don't you all start getting soft on me," Luna sniffed and sighed "I was born to a mother who didn't care for her children, I was brought into this world knowing I was not wanted by my own mother. My older sister was raised by that same person, our mother was not any better to her, however that's what made my sister who she is today. Calista works her butt off for things I need and things I want, she makes sure I have clothing and a roof over my head, she supports what I want to be and who I want to become in the future," Luna began to cry softly "I am very very lucky to have someone as loving and caring as her. I grew up to love art when I was smaller, Calista saw my passion and has got everything I needed to help me improve on my skills. I was very well at a young age until middle school 7th grade when our school got a new art teacher who called my art blank and unemotional, imagine little me hearing that? Boy did I throw a fit," the crowd laughed lightly as I chuckled.
"I couldn't take criticism at that age I thought she told me I just sucked at art," Luna sighed "so what did I do? I said I quit," she looks down from where she's at and looks at Calista "she was not having it one bit," we all laughed again. "I cried and cried my eyes out calling myself untalented until I went back to school the next day when my art teacher told me I should find a muse to set my art on something specific or get my motivation from someone," Luna rolls her eyes "I quit why did I have to listen to her," we laughed again "but of course I listened, I tried painting smiles and eyes and people like Calista friends Ashton, yeah he looked good but there was no emotion behind the canvas. I painted to paint, and during that Cal was busy so I didn't want bother her so I ruled her out. I tried and tried before I cried again only this time finding comfort in my older sister who held her arms open for me when I went home that day," she smiled softly. "To her it probably felt like a day where I just needed her, to me going through such a hard 2 months Calista gave me space and motivation to keep doing what I love to do, and when I looked up at her that night that's when I new she was my muse. I asked to sketch her and that day I have not stopped, because my sister is what I call art, her beauty inside and out truly is one of a kind, and for that my muse is Calista. She is truly the one and only masterpiece I have ever laid eyes on, thank you everyone for my over sharing speech," I heard sniffles in the crowd as well as a few laughs, I watch Luna hug Calista who already had tears running down her face.
"What a wonderful child our Luna is," the man spoke in the microphone as he clapped "when Luna came into my class this year, all she drew were small sketches of regular things for small assignments, which were beautifully drawn. I assigned a rather large project for the semester and told my students to bring in what they have drawn, what I said was to paint an art piece to replicate one of their favorite artist pieces of work. Students brought Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci, others painted The Birth of Venus by Sandro Botticelli, another even did The Night Watch by Rembrandt, Luna however came in with an unknown women from someone I do not know, she said her sister was her favorite artist and she herself and her presence was art itself," he looks down at Luna and laughs lightly "boy did this child shock me. Not only did she do a portrait but taught me, the teacher, how art is seen from another persons point of view. I'm not sure if Ms. Muniz knows what portrait her younger sister did of her but I brought it with me today to show how beautiful Luna has showed her sister and how beautiful she really is to others."
The man waves a person to bring him a frame draped with a velvet covering before setting it beside Calista who looked rather confused and shy, I smile softly as she turns to her sister before rubbing her arm softly.
"I stare at it so often that I can remember every little stroke of ink on this canvas," the man mumbled and smiled softly before he pulls the fabric off showing everyone Calista in a simple pose turning back with her hair covering small areas in her face with a soft smile on her plump lips.
The crowd gasp quietly as I turn to Calista who had her cheeks flushed, suddenly her eyes land on me and I feel myself freeze under her stare, quickly she looks down as I look away embarrassed that I was caught staring at her. Semi looks up at me with watery eyes "I love art so much," he sniffed as I look at him confused "I knew Calista was beautiful but the way she is portrayed makes me feel sad for some reason, but she looks absolutely-," I cut him off as I look back at the ink based portrait "breath taking," I mumbled.
"Absolutely breathtaking," I repeated to myself.
If I can I would spend fortunes on all these paintings for myself.
Create a private owned museum to hang them.
Only for myself and her younger sister to view.
To admire her very existence that stepped foot on this world.
For others in the future to see an angel that once came to earth and lived a normal life by the name of Calista Muniz.
