STROKES OF EMOTION

It was Friday, and I was feeling equal parts nervous and excited. Jess and I had agreed to meet Adam at the venue. As we entered the large hall with soaring ceilings, I saw that the place was bustling with people, artists, and art enthusiasts. The atmosphere was electric, and the loud chatter of conversations filled the air. Suddenly, a beautiful magical light show began, illuminating the entire room with a stunning display of colours and shapes. The light danced and moved in perfect harmony, like an elaborate choreography. The audience was entranced by the beauty of it, and the room was filled with a sense of wonder and magic.

“Wow” I gasped “I’ve never seen anything like this before.”

“It’s like the lights are alive,” Jess said in awe, and I nodded.

My heart skipped a beat as I quickly scanned the room, my eyes landing on Adam. A tall figure by his side his piercing green eyes glinting in the light. I quickly made out the tall figure standing next to Adam and made my way towards them.

I quickly spotted Adam and could make out a tall figure by his side. I ran over to him, and to my surprise he was not alone. A distinguished-looking man with his dark black hair and piercing green eyes stood next to him.

As soon as he saw me, a subtle smirk curled up on his face. “Alivia,” Dr Volkov greeted me coolly “Can’t wait to see what you’ve created tonight” he says sarcastically, and I roll my eyes

“I’ll have you know; I’ve put a lot of effort into my artwork,” I replied, trying to keep my cool. “I’m sure it’ll be worth the wait,” he said with a smirk.
I turn away from him and focus my attention on Adam.

“Hi Adam, I am glad you could make it” I say with a warm smile.

“Of course, I wouldn’t miss it for the world. I’m excited to see your artwork too,” Adam replied with a grin. “Let’s go grab a drink and catch up before the show starts.”

As we made our way over to the refreshment table, I couldn’t help but feel a little intimidated by Dr. Volkov’s presence. But I was determined to not let his sarcasm get the best of me and enjoy the night with Adam and Jess. The art competition was about showcasing our talents and having fun, after all.

As we sipped on our drinks and talked, I started to feel more relaxed and at ease. Adam and Jess made me laugh with their stories, and I felt grateful to have them by my side.

Soon, it was time for the competition to start, my nerves came back with a vengeance as we made our way to our designated spot, and I placed my artwork on the stand. I took a deep breath and tried to calm my racing heart.

The competition was fierce, and I was in awe of the incredible talent displayed by my fellow artists, I was filled with respect and admiration for the vast amounts of talent that surrounded me. Nonetheless, I was proud of my artwork and knew that I had put my heart and soul into it.

The night slowly progressed, as the judges roved around each piece, evaluating them attentively. As they arrived at my artwork, a knot of anxiety tightened in my throat.
“Can you enlighten us as to what your artwork is about?” one of the judges inquired with animated curiosity.

“Yes ma’am,” I replied nervously, “As we all know by now, our community is facing many hardships due to the virus. Apart from studying art and being passionate about it, I am also a nurse at a local inn and have witnessed the effects of the virus first-hand. For this artwork I created, I wanted to capture the truth behind this situation but also encapsulate the beauty and meaning behind art and how it can serve as hope for patients and their family during devastating times. Through this piece I wanted to demonstrate how even during times of chaos there lies glimmers of hope, and how painting can be used to bring about such realizations.”

“That’s quite powerful,” breathed the judge as she studied my artwork intently. “Your artwork carries a powerful message and you have done a remarkable job capturing the emotions and effects of the virus in your piece.”

“Thank you so much for your kind words,” I replied, feeling my nerves settle as I beamed with pride and gratitude for the positive response.
The evening stretched on, and my anticipation grew with each passing minute. I tried to distract myself, but the silence of the crowd and the thick tension of competition filled the auditorium.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the winner was announced. I heard my name and my heart froze. My hands shook as I slowly made my way up to the stage.

As I accepted the award, I was overwhelmed by a wave of emotion. The audience erupted into thunderous applause, and in that moment, I couldn’t have been prouder of my accomplishment. The hard work and dedication I had put into mastering my craft had paid off, and I was grateful for this once in a lifetime opportunity.

“Wow, Alivia, that was amazing!” Adam said, his eyes shining with excitement. “Your artwork is so powerful; I could feel the emotion in every stroke of the brush.”
Jess nodded in agreement, her eyes shining with admiration. “Your artwork is truly remarkable,” she said. “You have such a unique ability to capture the essence of your subject and bring it to life.”

My cheeks heated, overwhelmed by the compliments and support from my friends. I smiled timidly and said, “Thank you, both of you, for your kind words. It means a lot to me.”

Adam returned my smile and said with genuine pride, “We are so proud of you. You deserve this recognition and more. Keep shining, Alivia!”
Jess added, giving me a quick hug, “You are an inspiration to us all.”

Dr. Volkov then stepped forward, a mischievous glint in his eyes. “It seems like your artwork was worth the wait,” he said with a smirk.
I smiled confidently and replied with a grin, “I told you it would be.”

After the show, I felt more content than ever before. The art competition had been a success, and my artwork had garnered much appreciation. As I looked around me, I felt incredibly blessed to have such an amazing support system and I couldn’t help but be grateful for this opportunity. As we stepped out into the night, Adam offered to accompany me back to my dorm, and I was thrilled by the prospect.

“You did so well tonight, Alivia,” he said, his voice oozing with encouragement.

“Thank you, Adam,” I replied, my heart swelling with appreciation for his kind sentiments. “I’m so grateful to have had your and Jess’ support; without you two, the show wouldn’t have been a success.”

The night sky was a lush velvet, and the moonlight illuminated the path before us, casting a magical atmosphere around us as we talked about our dreams for the future and my enthusiasm for life only increased. Suddenly, I felt something stirring within me, a sense of passion and hope that something amazing lay ahead of me.

When we reached my doorstep, I gazed at Adam, mesmerized by his deep blue eyes that were gazing back into mine. I mustered up the courage to confess how I felt about him.
“Adam,” I began, my voice trembling with anticipation, “I just wanted to tell you... I am in love with you.”

Adam’s eyes widened in surprise, and he looked at me with tenderness and understanding. “I’m sorry, Alivia,” he said, his tone gentle yet firm. “I had no idea you felt this way. I’m engaged to be married and I never meant to lead you on.”

A wave of emotion washed over me, and I felt my heart break into a million pieces. I had no words to express the pain and disappointment I was feeling. I had finally let my guard down and opened to someone, only to be rejected in the end.

“I understand,” I said quietly, my voice trembling with emotion. “I appreciate your honesty.”

My tears came without warning as I watched him walk away from me, and soon my entire world felt like it was crumbling around me. As I walked inside my apartment, I felt as though my heart had been shattered into a million pieces. I had never felt so hurt and rejected before. Adam’s words echoed in my head, and I couldn’t help but feel devastated. I sat down on my couch and buried my face in my hands, tears streaming down my face.

I couldn’t believe that the person I had feelings for was already engaged; the thought of never being with him was unbearable. I was sitting on my bedroom floor, trying to hold back a flood of tears, when I heard a gentle knock on my door. I got up and opened it to find my Jess standing there her face framed in soft brown curls. Her face was creased with worry as she took in my puffy eyes and tearstained cheeks.

“Alivia,” she said softly, her smile fading as she takes in the sight of my red teary eyes, her voice filled with concern. “What’s wrong?”
I hesitantly recounted my conversation with Adam and how it had left me feeling so raw and vulnerable. Jess listened intently, never once breaking eye contact or interrupting me. When I had finished pouring out my heartache, she stepped forward and wrapped me in a gentle embrace. Her warmth and understanding were like a balm to my soul.

“I’m here for you,” she whispered in my ear. “No matter what.”

As we settled onto the couch, I allowed myself to reflect on the evening’s events. I had thought Adam was the one, yet he ended up being just another disappointment.
“Thanks for being here, Jess,” I said, my voice not quite masking the emotion. She smiled warmly at me, making me feel seen and appreciated.
“Of course,” she replied, smiling warmly at me.

“And do not worry, Alivia, this is not the end for you. You have so much talent and passion, and you’re going to find someone who will appreciate and support you, just like I do. And until then, we’ll continue to create our own beautiful moments and memories together.”
Her words filled me with courage and hope. I took a deep breath, and felt peace and joy flood my heart. With Jess by my side, I knew I could conquer anything that came my way—with determination and strength, I was ready to embrace a brighter future.