Feliciano looked at the painting in front of him. He smiled a little before holding it back close to him. He couldn't be too careful. When he reached the Art Education building he almost ran in. He looked around a bit, the hall was full of many metal stands. With over half of them having some sort of artwork on them. In the center of the main hall was a decently sized table with some small sculptures.
Slowly he walked by the empty stands before seeing a note with his name of it. He stroked the name on it, Feliciano Vargas. His fingers paused over Feliciano. Taking a deep breath in and smiled a little. Carefully he placed his painting on the stand. Adjusting it a little to make sure it was straight. He sighed before stepping back a little. Looking up at the clock he saw that the event was starting in a little over three hours. Feliciano adjusted his back a little before running out the door.
"Hey Feliciano," Tezera said as he walked through the door. "Are you excited for tonight?"
"I think I'm more nervous than excited," he admitted and he hung his jacket up by the door.
"You don't need to be," she said. "Everyone will love your piece."
"And we can't wait to see it," Tolys added.
"Thanks, guys," Feliciano picked up his backpack. He smiled a little before heading upstairs. Once in his room, he looked at himself in the mirror. Probably for longer than he should have. He took a deep breath and walked over to his closet. Searching around he pulled out his nicest shirt. It was was white with thin sky blue horizontal stripes. Afterward, he grabbed a pair of khakis. He laid them out on his bed and pulled out his drawing tablet. Setting a timer he started drawing.
When the timer went off Feliciano saved his work. Stretching a little he put all his stuff away and gathered his nice clothes. Slowly he poked his head out of the door and didn't see anyone. Slowly he grabbed his towels and walked to the bathroom. Clutching the towel close to his chest. He slowly knocked on the door and didn't get a response. He turned the door and walked in a bit awkwardly. After locking the door he turned on the shower. He stood there for an awkward amount of time. Taking a deep breath he undressed and stepped in.
"I have nothing to worry to about," Feliciano said to himself. "This night is going to go great and I'll be one step closer to working my dream job."
When he was done he dried himself off and put on the clothes he chose. As he walked back to his room he dried off his hair. Grabbing a comb he started to style his hair. He spent some time trying to get his one stray curl to stay place, before deciding to use some hair gel stick it down. Silently praying to himself that it would stay for the entire night.
Walking over to his desk he dug through the drawer and pulled out the small container of concealer. He crouched down in front of a small mirror and started to apply it. Spending more time around his cheeks and his eyes. Grabbing a small sponge he gently blended it in.
"I can do this," he to himself as he took another deep breath in. Doing one last check out the window he saw that the sky was still clear. He smiled. Quietly he walked downstairs. Surprisingly he didn't see any of his housemates. Grabbing his jacket he headed back to the Heartsdale.
"Wow, this looks amazing," Feliciano thought to himself as he walked into the Art Education building. The main hall was decorated of pride flags of all kinds. Some he didn't even recognize. By the doorway, there was a table with a dark red table cloth with GSA on the front. He could see little buttons and stickers.
As Feliciano walked to his spot he saw something out of the corner of his eye. He turned and a pink, blue, and white flag was facing him. Staring at it he started feeling a whirlwind of emotions. Looking down he walked away forcing himself to keep facing forward.
He walked to the back room where he placed his coat on a desk. When he was back out in the main hall he walked around and admired the other works. As he walked around he noticed a pattern in most of the works. They two people or a few couples of the same gender embracing in some way. There were at least five versions of them. The second most popular one was some form of a heart with a pride flag of some kind.
"Alright everyone," the professor running the event said as she walked in the main hall. "Please go near your artwork. The event will start in a few."
Feliciano took a deep breath in and over to his painting. He adjusted his clothes a little and straightened up. Carefully he looked at his painting again. It was of a bunch of people facing the sunrise. Each of them proudly wearing a different pride flag across their backs. Above all of them was a bright rainbow shining down on them.
A few moments later Feliciano saw some people starting to enter. He bolted straight up. As more people entered he didn't see any of his suitemates. Occasionally someone would stop by and admire his for a bit. Some would ask a question or two. And one and a while he would recognize someone and they would chat for a bit.
"Feliciano!" he heard after a bit and saw everyone walking in. Immediately he smiled and waved them over.
"So this is the painting you've been keeping secret for the past few months," Tezera said as she looked it over.
"Well, I've been very nervous about it." Feliciano looked down a little.
"Why everything you create is so good?" Victoria gestured towards the paintings. Moving her arms very quickly.
"Thanks," Feliciano said a little quietly.
"The Other Colors," Toyls read from the small sign below the painting. "Where did you come up with that?"
"Well, it's because," Feliciano paused for a moment, trying to find the right words. "People always focus on the gay part of LGBT and the other sexualities and identities get overlooked. I wanted to highlight the other ones. Like bisexual, asexual, agender, etc. And since the main pride flag is a rainbow in a way I'm showing the other colors of it."
Everyone nodded and smiled. Felician stood there quietly. With a smile plastered on his face. After a bit, they walked away to look at some of the other art. Feliciano did not object. He stayed there repeating the same things to everyone.
"Alright everyone," the professor said after awhile. "It's time for the last vote."
Feliciano gulped a little and turned away. Gently he placed a hand on his painting. He saw a large crowd around the main table. It was hard to see who exactly they were voting for. He shrugged. There was no need to. When everyone was done they took the box away and walked to the back. Feliciano stared in their direction shaking as the seconds went by. Then he felt a hand on his shoulder. Immediately he jumped a little.
"Sorry," Kiku said as stepped back a little. Everyone else walked up to them.
"Oh no it's my fault," Feliciano replied turning towards them. "I didn't see you there. Also a little on the edge."
"Don't worry about it." Mei leaned in a little and whispered to him. "We all voted for you."
"You guys didn't have too," Feliciano said quietly. "There are plenty of other good paintings and sculptures to vote for. it doesn't just have to be me."
"Oh come on you had the best painting here," Tezera said leaning a little and crossing her arms.
"I doubt that." Feliciano looked down and laughed a little.
"I saw a lot of other people stop to admire it," Tolys said with an encouraging smile. "I think you have a decent shot."
"Will the artist please step forward."
"Looks like I got to go now," Feliciano said walking back a little. As he turned around everyone gave him a thumbs up.
Feliciano stood up there facing everyone. The noncompetitors started to form a small crowd around where everyone else was standing.
"We have the top three. In third place Hearts of Pride by Alex Collins."
Immediately small cheers erupted from a small group. Everyone else applauded as Alex ran up to the front. she quickly waved to everyone before stepping to the side. As everything was settling down Feliciano could hear a few whispers coming from around him.
"Next in second place." Feliciano leaned against the wall a little. "Is The Other Colors by Feliciano Vargas."
Immediately Feliciano froze a little. The people next to him turned to him and applauded for him. After a few seconds, he shook himself off a little before running up to the professors. They handed him a small envaloped as he shook both of their hands. Quickly he waved to his friends. Who were cheering as loud as they could for him. He smiled widely not caring what happened next. As in this moment he won.