The Finer Arts

* Scene: IV * Everything Was A Lie

Narrator:

Nova is hunched over the toilet right now. The poor girl is in such a state of shock she's throwing up breakfast. Thankfully, Jacob is there to hold back her long fiery red hair. Filling the apartment surrounding them were David's and Scott's voices. The two of them held carefree tones as their banter continued.

Nova:

I'm currently hunched over the toilet with Jacob behind me rubbing my back. How the hell can they just walk into my apartment and introduce this to me so nonchalantly? I am beyond frustrated, yet a little thankful. They could've left me in the dark about this until the last minute. At least there's time for Jacob and I to make living arrangements and come to an understanding about all of this. I sit up, unaware of how long I've been in the bathroom. I lean into Jacob's warm embrace and thank him for being there for me. I inform him that I'm going to freshen up and meet everyone in the living room shortly. I scurried into our bedroom, grabbed some fresh clothes and turned the water on in the shower.

The steam immediately begins to fill the small room and that's when I know it's my cue. I step under the water and let it soak my hair first, then develop my body. The hot water eases my mind and soul. I tried to keep my thoughts at bay, but I couldn't help it. Are my mom and dad really from a lineage of.. wizards? Would that make my mom a witch? Would that make me a witch? I bare my teeth, thinking about how ridiculous this all sounds. My dad could've easily given my uncle money to get a nice set of clothes and go to a barber. Now that I think of it, my dad would never give my uncle money. What happens with Jacob? What does that mean to all my other friends?

I finished my shower almost an hour later. I look at my pruney fingers thinking of mom. I miss her. When I was younger she sat on the side of the tub and played, 'bubble time tea party' with me. I had a toy tea set and she would dump the teapot over my hair to wash the soap out. I'd pretend I was a teacup and try to trap as much water as I could. I remember one time she walked in on me with the salt shaker in the bath with me. I was trying to become a mermaid; Since mermaids only lived in salt water, I had to make my bath water salty. My eyes swell with tears but none fall. Sometimes it feels like it happened yesterday, sometimes it feels like it happened years ago. I break free from the memories and get ready to face the men in my living room.

I stroll out with one of Jacob's band T-shirts on and a decently fresh pair of jeans; I've only worn these twice since they were last washed. My hair is wrapped up in a towel as I'm walking to the kitchen. I want to drown my anxiety with leftovers. I'm stuffing some bread sticks into my mouth when I feel a looming presence behind me. Dad. I sigh heavily in my mind as I turn to face him. His blue eyes are as piercing as ever as he stood with his arms crossed. His gaze and judgemental scowl directed at me. I swallowed my food, wanting to cower. I wasn't about to let that happen though, so I chose to pick a fight. "So, you think I have an eye for the Finer Arts now all because a stranger brought it up to you?" I had a point. That point fueled the concoction of rage and anxiety I had stewing in my stomach. "Why didn't you guys believe in me sooner, Huh?! " I verbally jabbed at my father.

I wasn't scared to piss him off, he only appeared tough to others because they don't know him like I do. I know how to press his buttons; Hell at this point I'm convinced my mom and I are the reason he has any to begin with. It may have been years since I've been, "daddy's little angel" but, that never stopped me from being "daddy's little pain in the ass."

I frustratingly add onto my last comment, "Why didn't you and mom try to talk to me about it? Did the two of you just give up when I wasn't showing advancement at the right age?"

"Nova, we just wanted to see what would happen and let life go on; Whether you showed potential or not. Your mo-"

I didn't let him finish that sentence.

"Mom would've believed in me a long time ago! You're the one who gave up." I spat at my dad then turned my back to him. I am no longer looking for a fight. I am looking for a way to make him leave and for this to end. His foolish pranks, his sarcasm and dry humor. I'm over it all! My life was so peaceful after I moved out. Now my dad wants to strut back into my life like nothing ever happened at all.

I haven't spoken to my father in seven years until yesterday. I moved out as soon as I could. Jacob and I got our own apartment and we have been living mostly happily until a few months ago. In summary, Jacob and I are high school sweethearts. The awkward art kid met the awkward computer nerd. We were happy, until I watched him blame his sister for being a w***e and getting knocked up. Until I started watching him react to the news. It made my gut curdle thinking about Jacob's reaction to reality. After so many years together, his true colors started to show. Everything was all so harsh and aggressive. It made me uncomfortable seeing him lash out like that. Sometimes, I would question his sanity at times. That subject made me question whether or not he was my person for life or not.

I huffed out loud. I have enough on my plate besides thinking of Jacob and our relationship turmoil. Besides, I sensed they could all feel my confusion and frustration as my uncle started talking. "There's one more thing I have to mention, Nova." Of course, expect Scott to be the one to cause more strife in my life. "Once you get enrolled in these classes you won't be able to live with Jacob." That took me by surprise. Yeah Jacob and I have had some rocky times but I'm not ready to go from seeing him everyday to not at all. We have some healing to do in our relationship. "What? No way! Why can't I?"

"Those classes are guarded heavily to make sure not just anyone can get their hands on their methods of magic." To me it made sense, kind of. I looked to Jacob and he's fiddling with his thumbs. He does that when he's upset and doesn't want to look people in the eye. I'll have to make the time to talk to him about this. In the meantime I kept listening to my dad. "They've also added to the curriculum. Theater, dance, even some culinary classes fused with traditional alchemist inspired techniques. I'm not sure what they'll have to offer on graphic design. I'm sure professor Rossi will have answers regarding what classes you can take since you won't be taking classes for the mundane." Classes for the mundane? Is that what wizards call regular people, mundane? Is that how they really feel about normal individuals? I could see how being in a life of luxury and magic for so long can make regular existence boring.

"Is the enrollment date still the same?" I ask, only to get a swift nod from my dad. "Okay, well when I got the acceptance letter was it to study the Finer Arts or.. Mundane arts? The notice I received seemed, normal. " My Uncle Scott starts laughing "well let's find out!" It was a little maniacal if you ask me. He stood and swiftly grabbed the letter from Jacob's desk. He laid it in front of me to where I can read the front page. "You haven't been able to fully harness your abilities so let me do the honor." He waved his hand over the paper and it started to shimmer. I've never seen anything like it. The letters began to glow into a light silver as they begin to shake and contort into various words that didn't make sense at first. Then as soon as it started, it ended. The stark white paper was now a dazzling gold. The harsh black Times New Roman printed letters were now an elegant cursive inked in a dark silver.

I hesitantly picked up the paper, reading it's new message. "Congratulations Nova LeCroy, we proudly invite you to join Southeastern Finer Arts program. We are honored to have you partake in our exquisite curriculum, and look forward to seeing you on August 15th for enrollment. " Signed at the bottom was, "Sincerely, Janet Yao, Headmaster" My dad let out an exasperated sigh, breaking my bewilderment. "Of course, expect Scott to be the show off. I also got a personal call from Headmaster Yao regarding your admission."