24. First Impression

Somin and Junu

Mr. Ha came and started the lesson with an introduction. The aura of the kind, old painter covered everyone like a warm blanket and respectful silence set in. His longer silver mustache together with the black worn-out sweater made him look like a pilgrim. His look was homely and comfortable, yet artistically casual.

His gray eyes carried the weight of many years. He never scolded anyone, only gracefully looked after each student like a gardener lovingly taking care of his precious flowers. Some were tall and perfect, other ones small and shabby, all were worth the effort.

A single clap of his veiny hands made the room go still.

"We will start with a presentation of your summer artworks. Firstly, let's greet our newcomers Jeon Junu..." the old teacher gestured for the fair boy to come forward.

Junu reluctantly picked up a sketchbook and a big folder heavy with paintings of various sizes. Everybody gathered in a circle under the podium where figure models usually sat and now where Mr. Ha was.

"...and Lee Somin." The professor gave her the eye.

Somin brought her folder to the circle too.

"Start with introducing yourself, please," the kind teacher offered.

Junu gave Somin a desperate look.

Calm down boy. She hesitantly went in to speak up.

"My name is Lee Somin. Hi," she started awkwardly.

"I prefer to paint nature as it inspires me with all of its versatility." Her stomach started to hurt from nerves as she carefully laid her paintings out on the floor.

...

All of her artworks were nature landscapes or dark still lifes with books and coffee.

Well, now I feel stupid. She looked around at the unimpressed faces of her peers, scoffing at her art.

Some of the quiet faces far back nodded and smile, but they were overshone by those grabbing the most attention.

Somin calmed down as quickly as she could, at least for the time being, using the exercises Dr. Jansen had always instructed her to remember.

...

"Ms. Lee, breathe in and breathe out. Separate yourself from the situation, close your eyes and count to ten. Visualize them as distant figures. You are safe and nobody can hurt you."

...

At this point she was a pro at "building the inner walls" to keep her mind safe.

It was a given they would disapprove the same way as others before them and as Cholsu always had. She'd been through an emotional rollercoaster with him and the simple truth was that no one would ever critique her as harshly as he did. Except for herself, of course.

The sensitive girl didn't expect praise or understanding, although some faces at the back of the circle gave her a pensive smile. The tiny paintress just had to withstand the discomfort and then she'd blend to the background, minding her business. All the logic in the well-known behavior was there, but the emotional part, although hidden well, kept surfacing and throwing her off balance.

Don't pay them any attention. She reminded herself, opening her eyes. Her hands trembled.

It must be enough that I like my art. Nobody will appreciate it the way I do anyway.

I must be enough for myself.

A new thought indeed.

I'd like to be appreciated someday.

This still lingered on her shoulder, bringing her down.

...

Mr. Ha nodded, "I like your sense of color and composition, Ms. Lee. Let's try something different for the next class—a figure painting please."

Somin was astonished.

Maybe I could ask Mia to be my model. Damn, I hate figure painting. I'm not good at it at all.

"Alright, thank you." She picked up her papers and made space for Junu.

Now it was his turn. The brown-haired boy skipped introductions and started to show his paintings right away. All of them were beautiful portraits.

People.

His chauffeur, several maids, the gardener, his chef, his mother from afar reading a book. Nobody could tell the context, he hid it well. For others, they were just portraits of random people. Gentle pencil work rendered the faces alive. Technicalities were clearly mastered and on top of them personal style shone soft and unique.

Mr. Ha gasped in awe, "Good work Mr. Jeon. It's no wonder you've earned your place here. Keep going in this direction, it suits you very well," Junu sighed in relief.

Somin gave him a thumbs up. He's really talented.

...

Late afternoon sun snuck up on the class as the long lesson came to an end. The weak rays of sun caressed the dust of the space while tired students packed away their things.

How does time pass so quickly? I didn't even breathe properly and the day was already over.

Drained, Somin gathered her colors, though she wasn't the only one left there. Junu didn't seem to be in a rush either.

His tremendous talent scared her. Now that she knew what he could do, she couldn't unsee that side of him; this larger than life potential to become someone.

I want my name to mean something too.

It didn't sit right with his introverted fairy-of-a-boy persona, or maybe it did. The raw emotions of the detailed portraits versus silent boy, observing meticulously.

The youngster came closer, looked her in the eyes, smiled sweetly and said, "See you around," and left.

There was something genuine about him.

I felt good in his presence, unlike in Teho's.

Teho's presence was intense. Burning her alive. Somin hated what he did to her.

He makes me behave differently, he makes me lose my shit.

She had to push the growing emotions tothe back of her mind and leave them there.

On her way home Somin couldn't resist stopping in the foyer again.

Why is the "Peace of mind" photo so beautiful?

Filled with everything I need.

Nature.

Seclusion.

Him.

...

😳 Author's corner 😊

😔 Do you often compare yourself to others? 😔

...

🎨Illustrations of each chapter are available on my Wattpad acc, AO3 acc -klubickoArt🎨