Techne Island is a famous place where artists gather, work, and live. People there will never meddle in your life but when it comes to art, it's highly appreciated by everyone. Art in any form is displayed in various regions, how cool is that? That's where I wanted to stay for the rest of the vacation.
"What are your plans after graduation?" Jill asked.
"I'll take a break then go to work." I said while organizing my art materials. "I'll travel alone."
"Oh, can I come with you?" she asked.
I apologetically smiled. "Sorry but I really planned going on a trip by myself."
"It's okay! Well I hope you'll enjoy your summer," she sounded disappointed.
Jill is one of my admirers here in Arts School. She was so honest about how she feels towards me. But I've got zero interest in her nor other people who approached me.
Art is my girlfriend. Like, literally. It's where my life revolves everyday.
Graduation came and everyone's busy taking pictures before the program starts. I didn't bother taking photographs, I chose to stare at everyone and picture the memory. I'll paint it later.
My professor was in front, calling names already. I'm standing beside the stage, waiting for my name to be called. I waited so many years for this.
The day when I get to smack my family's faces with my achievement. Just kidding.
"Yohan Benedict Chavez, Bachelor of Fine Arts, major in Painting. Cum Laude."
I was so happy at that time, but as I went home, everything felt different. My life's not really a great art. It's a messy one. My family's not in favor of the degree that I took. I lived a life where everyone constantly doubted my abilities and decisions in life.
We're in the middle of my celebration for graduating. My family's here at home, and they prepared a lot.
"What are you going to do next?" my uncle asked.
"Uh, paint?"
It was an obvious answer, but he looked like he was expecting more.
"That's it? You're not planning to open a business?"
"Well I'm already doing commissions, what more should I do?" I never really liked talking to people, especially blood related people.
"Will that even make you rich? You won't make a lot of money with that," it's now my aunt who's making fun of me.
"Yeah? I just sold a piece for two hundred thousand, it won't make me rich."
I excused myself and went to my room, leaving the party behind.
My room never looked like an artist's room. I never painted here because my parents get annoyed whenever they see some spilled paints or displayed pieces. I kept it plain so they wouldn't say something.
I'll be leaving next week to go to Techne Island. It's far away from home so it'll be a blast. I can freely stay in a room that I'll rent, stay up all night, and paint whenever I want. I'll be a free.
A week has passed and I'm now riding a plane to the island of my dreams. I was able to save money to stay there for about two months. They said I won't make money with painting, but here I am.
"Welcome to Techne Island!"
The people welcomed us and I was smiling widely, wondering if everyone here are artists too. It's almost five in the afternoon when we landed, now I need to find someone. I looked around.
'Yohan Chavez' I read the sign a guy was holding. I immediately approached him.
"Hey, I'm Yohan. Nice meeting you." I said.
"Yohan Chavez! Welcome to Techne Island. The service van is right there, let's go?"
I followed him until we reached the van. I went inside and patiently sat while watching the streets. I'll be staying in an apartment, I already paid for this month's rent.
"Thank you for driving me here." I said before entering the apartment. It's located at the third floor of this huge building.
The sky is dark when I looked at it before entering the room. I went inside and placed my luggage on the side. This place is just right for me, it's not that small but it's enough for me to work. Someone knocked on my door so I stood up to see who was there.
"Hi! You're new here, right?" the man said, smiling.
I nodded at the guy.
"I'm Luke, I'm your neighbour."
"I'm Yohan, nice to meet you."
"You're an artist, perhaps?"
"Yes I am... and you?"
"I work as a chef, but I just have an important reminder for you since it's your first time here at Techne Island."
"Go ahead..." I was intrigued about what he's about to say.
"You must never draw late at night, when it's past six o'clock and the sky is dark."
I blinked twice.
"Are you serious? For what reason?"
"Every artist here only paint whenever the sun is up. They say, when you create an art at night, that piece is someone or something that's staring at you."
My eyes furrowed. I don't know if this guy's messing with me.
"I... I'll take note of that, Luke."
But I didn't listen.
Because of my excitement for arriving here, I couldn't sleep at all. I decided to get a canvas and paint something to get sleepy.
I painted randomly then I decided to paint a girl. It has green eyes, and a pale skin, with long, curly, hair. When I felt my eyes were getting heavier, I went inside the bathroom to wash my hands.
My body froze when I saw another person beside me while I looked at the mirror.
"What the fuck!"
I immediately went outside the bathroom without rinsing my hands. My heart was beating fast, my hands were shaking, and I was catching my breath. I looked at my painting and realized it was the girl that I saw.
Is this why people at Techne Island never drew at night?!