Fading fortunes

Chapter3

Chapter 3

Jason's pov

I went inside and saw some of the competitors and their drawings, they were amazing, i saw some of them trying to make sure thier work was ok, i located the gallery that had my name displayed on it, and placed my painting there, "nice drawing," i heard a voice come from behind, i turned and beheld the most beautiful girl i have ever seen, she was on a pink top and black joggers, and wore a black pair of sneakers, her hair were properly laid on her perfect skin, she was very beautiful-though she looked older, but who cares? "thanks," i said trying not to stutter, "so what was the inspiration for this?" she asked "i got the idea from leonardo da vinci," i replied as she looked impressed with my work,"Good luck," she said as she walked away, "what's your name?" i quickly asked before she got further, "Emily, Emily Davies," she also had a cute name, "Jason is my name," i said trying to avoid eye contact with her "nice to meet you jason, see you around," she waved and left.

After many hours the competition started, the judges started going from one stand to another, finallly it got to my turn, they looked at my name "jason thomton?," one of the judge asked, "yes, that's my name," i replied, "cool name, how's your father?" he said "he is doing OK," i replied, after that statement he made a jest about something and left with the other judges. After the competition ended, the judges had already made their decision, though it was a hard one because all the competitors had their A-game on display, "It was a hard call, but the winner is..." he paused, which added a little bit of tension, i closed my eyes, praying i would hear my name, "Skylar flare," they continued, my whole world felt like it came crashing down, i did not even care about anything at the moment, i felt the hall looking devastated and i saw james sitting at the step close to the hall, i walked up to him, "hey jay, how did it go?" he said as he saw i could not reply him, he gave me a hug and cried his eyes out, "i did not win james, dad is going to kill me," i kept in crying and he just left me to sober till i was done. "let's go home," James said. "don't worry i wont let dad hit you" he added as he led me to where the car was and we drove home. When we got home i was so scared of entering the house but james gave me a reassuring smile "it's OK Jay," he said as he took my hands and we made way to the living room where my dad and his friends were sitting there. Immediately we entered, he called for me and my heart skipped a beat "Jagon, come here," he said as he stood up from his chair, i looked and james and he gave me a sign that said go ahead, i approached where dad was"yes sir?, you called for me," i lowered my eyes because i was so scared of him, "so did you win?," he asked as he removed his watched from his hands, "no.....sir i did not win," i replied, and the next thing that happened was i felt a hard slap to my face, i could not feel my cheeks, my eyes were hurt, and i could not even cry, "you are such a loser, 15 competitions and you could not even win one, i am so ashamed of you," my dad yelled and just stood there. Immediately james grabbed my hands and left the place with me, "i am still talking to you, you are both losers, is this how you will take care of a company?," he kept yelling, james ignored all of it and took me to his room, i began to cry immediately i got to his room, i sat on the bed and cried my eyes out, james managed to console me, and i slept off.

I woke up in the middle of the night and saw james sweeping close to me. He was the best thing life gave to me and for the decision i'm going to make it will affect him the most...i left his room and went to the garage, took james car and drove to the national gallery, i had already put petrol and lighter inside the car, i was so mad that i could not think of anything else my dad was right i was a loser, 15 competitions and i still lost. i looked at the art gallery and took the petrol and poured all of it on the buildiing and on my body. i took the lighter and lit, my last words were,"i'm sorry james," and it all came to an end.

EMILY POV

As we approached the gallery, my heart began to beat fast, it was beating so fast that anyone close to me could hear it. the day is finally here, the day that will decide my faith. after moments of walking we got to the art room and saw so many people in coporate and expensive dresses looking at different drawings. i was scared and happy at the same time. after walking from one drawings to another,i saw someone stopped at the front of my drawing and was staring at it, i looked around to find mrs perkins but i could not find her, so i decided to walk up to the person just to see a familar face "you" i said as i saw the guy i helped earlier, that words were the only thing that came out of my mouth " oh, you" he replied "what are you doing here" he asked again "i drew the piece you are looking at" i replied trying to read his face for some disappointment but i couldn't find any, i was really surprised, i guess i have improved alot " nice piece" he said and walked away. " just that?"i said to my self "hmm, i guess it was not pretty to his liking or he just had a weird taste" "i will take this piece" heard people saying to other artists and they looked very excited. sponsors after sponsors came and just pass my drawing, but no one wanted to buy it,i was so discourage, my drawing was the only one remaining and all the sponsors had left, i couldn't control my tears so i ran outside and sat at the corner of the stairs, i bowed by head to avoid passer by mocking me for crying outside. "water?"i heard somebody saying, i raised up my head to find the pretty boy staring at me, for some reason staring at him made me feel at peace. "thank you" i said as i opened the water and gulped it down. "why are you crying" he sat down beside me "its nothing" i said as i gulped down the remaining water "i can see that your painting is the only one remaing" as he said that he reminded me that i was a failure. " so you are here to laugh at me hmm?" i said but i was not angry. " no, no, dont get me wrong. honestly you drawing style is amazing, i might not be a big fan of art but i can tell a good drawing when i see one" his words comforted me and i felt relieved that someone felt that way about my painting ' your drawing really reminds me of my brother, he was a great artist" he added " was?" i asked and i could see his face becoming sad " its ok if you don't want to talk about it, its no big deal" i tried my best not to pry " thank you he said" a car stopped in front of us "its time for me to go" he said and stood up " it was nice meeting you, whats your name" he asked " emily, emily davis" i saidc as we shooked hands " nice meeting you emily i'm" he was interrupted from the car horn " gotta go bye" he said as he waved me and entered inside the car and zommed off. "who were you talking to" mrs perkins said which took me by surprise because she wasn't there at first. 'uhmmm nobody mrs perkins" i said as i stood up from the stairs " someone already bought your drawing" she added and my face lit up with joy, i was really excited because i already thought i had fallen apart " really" i jumped for joy, i couldn't control my tears as i hugged mrs perkins " well done dear" she hugged me back and patted my back. finally i can be able to pay the bills and help my dad with some stuff around the house. " here is your money, its $7000, take it" mrs perkins handed me a check, i couldn't believe my eyes as i cleaned my eyes and pinched myself to see if i was still dreaming. it was really amazing, making that amount of money for the first time.

Mrs perkins and i went to the bank and withdrew the money, it was really huge ' here" i said to mrs perkins as i gave her $3000 from the money "no baby girl, you deserve this morning you have earned it, besides i have a lot of money you know" she smiled at me and patted my hair " no ma, you deserve it, you have been so kind to me and i'm happy you are my mentor, without you i wouldn't have sold this drawing, if you don't take the money as your student, then as my mother figure i insist you take the money please" her face softened a little and i could see her tearing up but she is good at hiding it. " thank you baby girl, i will use it well" she said as she walked to where the car was parked and we drove off. " can you please stop at the super market, i would love to get some groceries and clothes for my dad" i said " no problem and thats a good idea" mrs perkins said as the car come to a stop at the super market. " thank you mrs perkins, i will find my way back home from here." i said and backed the door behind her. " are you sure you will be ok by yourself, i don't want anything happening to you" she added and i smiled at her " i will be fine mrs perkins, and i will call you immediatly i get home, so don't be scared. i assured her and she left me. i walked into the super market and i bought some new clothes for myself, like i really deserve it, i bought some new shoes too and got some groceries and got some new clothes for my dad and i was left with $2500 and i took a cab and went home. when i got home i saw my dad waiting in the sitting room with newspapers in his hands, i guess he was bored and started to read newspaper. " hey daddy!!!" i shouted and my dad jerked up " hey princess, you scared me, please don't give me an heart attack" he said and got up " i sold my drawingsssss" i screamed and dropped the groceries on the floor. " really?" my dad asked as he hugged me " congratulations princess" he smiled at me. " so what have you got here" he took out the things one and one and placed them where they are surposed to be placed " i got this for you dad" i brought out the clothes i bought for him and i could see he was emotional " not now dad" i teased him. " this is a happy occassion and not a sad one, so no crying" i said and hugged him " here is the changed " i handed him the remaining money " use it to start the business you've always wanted" i said and cut the hug " thank you baby girl, but i can't accept your money" he said and dropped the money back on the table " no dad take it, ok take it as an investment and you will pay me back, how does that sound?" i said and smiled at him "that sound like a great idea." he said and hugged me again. " are you hungry" he said and released me from the hug. " of course dad, i'm straving" i held my stomach as it groaned in hunger. " i will prepare your favourite" he said and quickly ran to the kitchen.