"Alright everyone remember that your group project is due next week." The professor said as the class started to get ready to leave. Ludwig gathered up all of his things and started to head out. He didn't have any classes for another two hours, so he wasn't in any of a rush.
"Hey Ludwig you got a sec?" one of his classmates said running up to him.
"Sure," Ludwig said as stopped walking and turned towards him.
"I know this is kind of last-minute but Amy is unable to finish her part," he said kind of defeated. "Do you mind doing half?"
"Not at all," Ludwig said trying his best not to roll his eyes.
"Cool, I got class soon. I'll email you later." He said before running off in the other direction.
Ludwig sighed and started back to his dorm. Luckily he had finished most of what he required todo. But it was still frustrating. Once he was back in his dorm he opened the group project. He saw a good portion of the work that he and his other two partners had to do was completed and hopefully making up for the forth's wouldn't be to much of hassle. As for now, he wouldn't about it.
The rest of the day went by normally. He went to his last class and didn't think about the project. Even if he was worried about it, sitting in another class was not the time. When he got back to his dorm he opened his emails up and saw one from one of his partners.
Hey Ludwig, I talked it over with Wesley and he agreed to do the biographies. Do you think you could find examples of Neoclassicism?
"Wait which one is Neoclassicism?" Ludwig thought to himself. He replied that he would do it. He looked over his textbook and saw the different art movements. The section was small with little information. Ludwig stared at it for a moment before thinking of something.
Hi, Feliciano, do you know anything about Neoclassicism?
Ludwig closed his textbook and put it back. No sooner than he put it away than he heard his phone vibrate from bed.
Yeah it's an 18th century art movement where classic styles became popular why?
I need to find examples of it for a project. Ludwig paused for a moment before typing the next part. I was wondering if you were able to come over this weekend to help me?
Sure I'm free Friday after 4. Does that work?
I'm free at 4:30, so anything after that.
Okay see you then!
"It has to be here somewhere," Feliciano said to himself as he dug through his draws.
"What are you looking for?" Mei asked walking over to him.
"My History of Art textbook," Feliciano said as he opened another drawer. "Oh, here it is."
"You still have that thing," she said before taking a bite of a granola bar.
"Eh, I had a gut feeling I might need it." Feliciano put the textbook in his backpack and zipped it up. He looked at the time on his phone "Well I should get going. Don't worry I won't be out late."
Feliciano pulled his headphones and turned his music on. As he walked along, his hand slowly went into his pocket and grabbed his keys tightly. He quickly glanced around him. Taking notice of the strangers. Were they staring at him? Were they talking about him? Without thinking he opened his phone camera and looked at himself. His breathing was getting heavier. Looking around he put his phone back before slowly walking to the bus stop.
When the bus came Feliciano went to the back of the bus and sat down. Quietly he texted Ludwig before adjusting his beanie a bit. He turned his music up a little. Moving his backpack in front of him, he embraced it. Slowly he felt himself lean against the window. Watching the world go by. It wasn't until he saw Ludwig's college that he smiled. With a wide smile, Feliciano ran across the street. He looked around a bit before seeing Ludwig.
"Hi!" Felician said running over to him.
"Hello Feliciano," Ludwig said with a slight smile. "I'm glad you were able to come over."
"It's no problem." Feliciano adjusted his backpack strap. "I'm always happy to help a friend out."
"Just as a warning Alfred might be in the room with us," Ludwig said as the two of them started walking.
"Oh, it shouldn't be too bad." Feliciano looked at him and smiled. Ludwig was quick to look away for a second and he felt his face warm up a bit.
The rest of the way to the dorm the two walked in silence. Ludwig looked to say something a few times before looking away again. At one point he thought he saw Feliciano smiling at him but he wasn't sure. When the two walked into the dorm room, they found it empty.
"You can pull up a chair," Ludwig said as he started to sit down by his desk. "Unless you want to sit somewhere else."
"It's fine." Feliciano grabbed a nearby a chair and moved it next to where Ludwig was sitting. He reached into his bag and pulled out his textbook. "So, what do you want to know about Neoclassicism?"
"I need some examples for this." Ludwig turned on his laptop and opened up his powerpoint. "Group project. I have to fill in for one of my partners."
"Well, that's easy." Feliciano opened up his book. "There's plenty of them. You lucked out."
"Easy for the art major to say."
"Neoclassicism is one of the more interesting art movements."
"I'm not an art person. They all look the same to me."
"It gets easier once you what you're looking for. Mind if I?" Feliciano pointed to Ludwig's laptop.
"Go right ahead."
"Thanks." Felciano moved it so Ludwig couldn't what he was typing. Ocassioanly glancing down at his textbook. When he was done he turned the laptop back around. On the screen was a painting of a group of men. The one in the center was holding his arm up. Another one was handing him something in a goblet. The main thing of notice was that they were dressed in Ancient Greece style clothing.
"Are you sure this is correct?" Ludwig asked looking at it. "This looks like something from the Renaissance."
"This was painted in 1787 and is called the "Death of Socrates". One way you can tell the difference is the Renaissance tends to focus on more religious subjects while Neoclassicism is more about Greek and Roman history and mythology."
"So this is a good example?" Feliciano nodded. Ludwig added the picture to the slideshow. With Feliciano's help, it was easy to describe how it was a good example. Whenever he was confused, Feliciano was quick to open his textbook to explain it to him. They repeated the process a few more times until everything was all set.
"That was surprisingly easy," Ludwig said leaning back in his chair a little.
"Well, now you're done!" Felciano gave a small applause.
"I can't believe I'm this is but I think I actually understand an art movement." Ludwig turned towards Feliciano. "I can't thank you enough for this."
"Don't mention it." Feliciano placed his hand on Ludwig's shoulder. The two glanced at it for a second before moving away quickly. Both of them felt their faces heat up as they looked away. After an awkward period of silence, Feliciano said, "It's really nothing."
"It, uh, just means a lot to me. You came all this way. Which in all honesty you didn't have to. We could have."
"But I wanted too," Feliciano said with his signature warm smile. "I like hanging out with you."
Ludwig was about to say something when his phone rang. Quickly he picked it up. "Sorry, it's my mom."
"How have things been between you two?" Feliciano asked sheepishly.
"A lot better than I ever thought," Ludwig said but his voice was shaking a little as he spoke.
"Is something wrong?" Felician asked turning towards.
"This is probably stupid." Ludwig sighed a little. "But this whole thing just seems too good to be true. My parents accept me for who I am without a problem. They didn't ask a single question on it. Not even an 'are you sure about this?' There has to be something to this, I feel like I'm in a movie or something!"
"Well, those movies have to be based on something," Feliciano said hopefully.
"A fantasy." Ludwig looked down.
"Then yours is one turned real." Feliciano laughed somberly a little. "I wish mine could have so much better."
"How bad was it?" Ludwig asked.
"I don't really like talking about." Feliciano shivered and his face went pale.
"That bad?" Feliciano nodded slowly.
"Luckily I had some people that helped me get through that time." He grabbed Ludwig's hand and paused for a moment. "And if you ever need someone, I'll be here."
