The annual art show

Samuel groaned as he took a seat on the sofa in his living room. His trip left him drained. In addition, his presence was required to attend the birthday party of his younger sister on the same day. It's not like he didn't enjoy being present. He was sure Lysana was delighted to see him. However, he had additional plans apart from attending his beloved younger sister's birthday.

Samuel forcefully put Lysana to bed, who was too drunk to walk properly. It was already midnight and she had class the next day. He didn't want her to miss that because she slept late at night. Despite his exhaustion, as a result of the jet lag, he was unable to sleep. His insomnia didn't help either. He just wanted to sleep good for a while. To put his mind was at peace. He needed it badly.

He roamed inside the house as if it were haunted by a ghost. A ghost who couldn't find peace yet was experiencing it's most peaceful moment; death. His body surely was at peace and tranquillity although his mind wasn't.

"I haven't been here in a very long time."

He said to himself recalling the past. His childhood. All the time he played and ran around in this house. Although the setting and the colours of the walls had changed through the years, he knew every corner of the house.

When he remembered a brief memory he had intended to conceal all along, his face became darker. It was filled with pain and his eyes soon turned watery.

The reason he was sent abroad, the reason he had to spend those long years away from his own family. The reason behind his constant and unending loneliness.

Samuel's mother passed away when he was five years old.

He saw her pass away right in front of him. The bullets that were fired at her to ensure that she would not survive were covering her in blood as she lay there lifeless.

His mother possessed a lot of power. She belonged to the dark side. She ran a slew of illegal enterprises. In actuality, she was the daughter of a mafia boss. She also had a lot of enemies.

For her love's sake, she had given up on those businesses. Mostly following Samuel's birth. However, her enemies prevented her from living a peaceful life. They didn't give up on getting their way back at her. It could have been because of her impulsive, impolite, and vengeful behaviour. She had killed numerous people. Even innocent individuals for the fictitious suppression of all witnesses. She wouldn't hesitate to kill anyone.

Additionally, Samuel was descended from her bloodline.

***

Selene arrived at the college, where the art show was taking place.

There were around 500 people or so present in the field. They eagerly waited for the show to start as most of them loved this event. They couldn't join because of their personal lives being too busy or because they rather use their time to study.

The stage was well decorated, it could be seen that people that held art deeply into their hearts out a lot of effort into it.

It gave Selene more strength and determination to fight for this club. She also hoped the members would accept her and not judge her because of her physics or any other rumours going around about her because she didn't socialize a lot and most girls love gossiping about things they don't know.

"Welcome ladies and gentlemen. Today is the annual art show by the students of the whole school which is organized by the members of the art club. However, a little word from the art club members, if you like art and want to do more, please do join our club. We need more members to keep this club in the school. Thank you for understanding."

The man on the stage smiled brightly and continued.

"We will now start the performances. First, Jeanne Syan."

As the man stepped out, a girl appeared on the stage. She was dressed in Chinese traditional clothes. She looked very pretty in it.

The music started and she danced to its bears and tune like an extremely pretty puppet who would dance to a person's tune. She looks magnificent, and Selene just couldn't take her eyes off her.

Before long came Selene's turn and she strolled to the stage.

She wasn't as prepared compared to the other contestants as she started the preparation later than them.

She began to feel anxious as she looked up at the crowd. She recently experienced the anxiety she had previously believed she could manage. not only developed but also appeared worse than before.

She quickly took a deep breath to calm herself down and proceeded into taking out her paintings from her bag. She then put the huge board she had brought with her and placed it on the chair while pinning the paintings on the board.

"To begin with, I'd like to reiterate to everyone that, as the man stated earlier, the art club may be excluded from the school due to its lack of members. And the fact that you are all here indicates that you enjoy art. As a result, I hope you'll seriously consider joining; otherwise, the club will stop similar events as this and there won't be another show like this further this year or in the next years to come. Please consider it."

She said first. Then, she closed her eyes, trying to overcome her nervousness.

"This is a story. As you can see, these pictures tell a tale. It tells the story of a stunning princess. A fairy princess, not your typical princess. She had everything a good person could have: beauty, purity, compassion, kindness. and the prince. a prince of demons. a demon. On the other hand, he was evil, cruel, rude, and everything else a bad person could be."

Everyone was listening to Selene's story with great attention just like when children are told stories that seem too real to them.

The way Selene described everything was as if she had experienced it. With the change in her voice and her expressions, she could have acted it all too well than any actress although she was bad at acting.

Everyone applauded her performance and was very much pleased.

The president in the front row was somewhat relieved. He thought the art club was useless and wanted to close it at any cost but every single member of the club has proved to him their worth and he wouldn't even think about closing the club for the moment, not until these talented students graduated.

The most shocking view for the middle-aged man was when students rushed to apply to the club was well.

Claude stood up from his chair and walked towards the stage.

Everyone's gaze was upon their principal.

"Hello. It was my pleasure to come here and be a witness to the unique talents the art club member possess. I assure you that the club is safe and I will try my best to arrange more events so that the club can grow just like the sports clubs, drama clubs, etc.

Those words brought the biggest smile ever to Selene's face. She was so glad that the club was now safe and everyone was able to prove their worth to the principal.

She quickly rushed to the club president.

"Dalia, how did I do?"

She asked, wondering if she did well.

It was rare for her to ask for praise or other's opinion as they didn't matter to her apart from her grandmother's and Lysana's.

However, today was different. She did something she never thought she could have done, and that alone made her proud of herself.

"You did great."

Dalia smiled.

Dalia was her class president as well as the art club president.

That praise made Sepene feel relieved. She never told anyone the stories she would often make just for fun, but it did please people. And that made her happy to know that people appreciated her story.

***

Lysana entered her house annoyed. She threw her purse on the ground and jumped on the sofa, facing the drilling.

"What's wrong, Lys?"

Samuel, who was sipping on his coffee, raised his eyebrow looking at his sister who seemed more pissed than ever.

"AHH!"

Lysana screamed.

"Calm down, sis."

Samuel was in disbelief.

Lysana could be very spoiled and make a lot of tantrums but she would cry but not get mad this way. Perhaps, she didn't want something new. Maybe it was someone who had done her wrong.

"Who made you upset? Should I ask someone to kill them?"

Samuel firmly asked.

Lysana quickly sat straight on the sofa.

"Brother!"

She yelled, getting angrier.

"What? Don't you want them dead?"

He asked.

"Brother, death is not the solution everyone will chose, like you."

She rolled her eyes and turned on the tv.

"It is though… But fine. What is it?"

Lysana looked at him, frowning. However, she realised how serious her brother was and turned her gaze away.

"Just... Selene participated in an art event and she didn't tell me."

"Seriously?"

Samuel asked in disbelief. How can his sister be this immature? For sure, he couldn't remember getting to upset whenever his 'friends' hung out without telling him.

Samuel scoffed.

"This sure is a stupid reason to get this mad. She has her own life. And listen to me, keep your distance from people who are from a lower class than us. You never know what's in their heart."

Lysana looked at her elder brother in disbelief.