Windows to the Soul (Partner We-Write #15)

@Zeldacroft
@freewritehouse

Teaming up with @aduragbemi for...

We-Write #15: November Partner Week + Last Week's Winners Announced!

START HERE:

We-write #15 || Gifted- Art Class (The Beginning)

Image by JL G from Pixabay

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Author's note: Such an intriguing start from my partner for this week's #we-write. I hope that I will be able to do justice to the story with my continuation...

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Nate trailed off as he tried to make eye contact with May, but she swiftly looked away from him and focused her attention on her drawing, just as she quietly mumbled her name.

"I'm May June, sir. But May is fine."

Nate shifted his gaze towards her drawing and couldn't help but raise his eyebrows in interest, "My, that's quite the talent you have there Ms. May."

The dove, Nate had observed seemed to have come alive from the white sheet of paper. Although, it felt like there was missing from the drawing; as if the dove looked trapped.

He pondered this as he continued getting everyone's attention and proceeded with his introductions, "As you may have heard, Professor Stroudman has unfortunately fallen ill just several weeks before the upcoming fair, and as his substitute for the time being, I'll be tasked with choosing the last representative from our college."

Suddenly seeing the tense look from his students, Nate casually sat on the edge of his desk and decided for an ice-breaker. "You may all call me Mr. Nate or Professor Nate. Kindly avoid calling me Professor Harmattan, as I mean you all no 'harm' whatsoever..."

After hearing a few snickers from the class, Nate smoothly continued with a smile, "So, why don't we start with me asking you what other methods you wish to further learn from this class? I'm sure there are some topics that would give you a distinct advantage on proving to be a representative for the fair."

Several eager hands shot up, but Nate was mildly surprised at May who had slowly raised her hand; he had already received fair-warning on this particular student from Principal Greymor, maybe there was more to her than they let on.

"Yes Ms. May, anything you would like to enhance with your talent?"

May blushed and briefly hesitated. She never did participate in Professor Stroudman's art classes, but there was something about Professor Nate that called to her that wanted to be heard.

"Eyes, sir..." May slowly said, but seeing the questioning look on Professor Nate's face urged her to expound her statement, "I mean how eyes capture the subject's emotions, sir. Isn't it said that eyes are the windows to the soul? But if the subject lacked eyes, wouldn't it lose its sense of portrayal? Its... depth?"

May huffed out her sentiments, it wasn't like her to be so opinionated, in fact she mostly liked to keep to herself during these classes. Until now.

Nate watched her fidgetting in her seat and couldn't help but question why May June was never considered for the selection process as one of the college's representatives.

"Won't you reconsider, Professor Harmattan? It's too early to tell at this point, after all." Principal Greymor had questioned Nate as he offered May June's name as the college's last participant.

Briefly flinching from hearing his surname spoken out loud, he quickly composed himself and started his case, "I know you've said that she was a 'complicated case', but I have to point out that art is never too complicated to be understood."

Principal Greymor leaned back on his chair and studied Nate for a few moments before he leaned down and procured a portfolio from under his desk. He pushed it towards Nate and quietly said, "There seem to be some things that are best left misunderstood and undeveloped."

Nate stared at the portfolio's name in front of him, 'May June Hallward' was etched on its cover. He looked up at Principal Greymor before focusing his attention back to the object in front of him; it wasn't unheard of for the college's principal to have portfolios of his students in his office.

But as soon as Nate saw the first sketch, he suddenly had an inkling on what the college was keeping behind its four walls. Maybe it was best after all to keep May June unaware of her talent.

Elsewhere, May sat in a dimly lit corner focused on a sketch. How she imagined her great-grandfather's disappointment on her lack of skill, the late Basil Hallward had after all painted the famous portrait of Dorian Gray.

Here she was now, staring at an unfinished sketch of her former art teacher, Zack Stroudman, every inch of his stern profile was meticulously detailed, except for his eyes.

Though if you ask May, she was mostly conflicted of wanting her old teacher back when Professor Nate seemed to be able to understand her more.

So for the time being, May opted to leave Professor Stroudman's eyes unfinished.

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