The annual student art show was one of the most anticipated events at Westham College. Held in the campus gallery, it featured an eclectic mix of paintings, sculptures, photography, and multimedia installations, all created by students. It was a celebration of creativity, and had been looking forward to it for weeks.
Jenna had insisted they go together, she had been talking about how awesome its going to be this past days, but at the last minute, she'd gotten caught up with a group project. Now, Mira found herself standing at the entrance of the gallery alone, unsure if she should go in or wait for her friend.
"Mira!"
She turned at the familiar voice and saw Jake approaching. He was carrying a small booklet that she recognized as the event program.
"Hey," she said, surprised but pleased. "I didn't know you were coming."
"History overlaps with art more than you'd think," Jake replied with a grin. "And Mark's sister has a piece in the show, so I thought I'd check it out. What about you?"
"I just love seeing what people create," Mira said. "It's inspiring."
"What about Jenna, didn't see come with you?" Jake asked.
"Well, she had a group project that needed her attention" Mira replied.
"That's too bad, she has been talking nonstop about this show," said Jake.
"Yeah, I did promise to take photos for her" Mira said.
"I can't imagine her expression after realizing she can't make it here" Jake said with a subtle laugh. "She's quite the social butterfly you know" he added.
"She sure is" Mira said while remembering Jenna's face earlier on.
Jake held up his program. "Want to go through it together?"
Mira smiled. "I'd love to."
The gallery was buzzing with energy. Students and faculty mingled, sipping on complimentary drinks and chatting animatedly about the artwork. Jake and Mira started at the first exhibit; a striking sculpture of intertwined hands made from recycled metal.
"That's incredible," Mira said, leaning closer to examine the details.
Jake nodded. "It's called Connected. According to the program, it represents how human relationships are built from fragments memories, experiences, emotions."
Mira turned to him, impressed. "You're pretty good at this."
He chuckled. "I've had practice. My mom's an artist, so I grew up going to shows like this."
"Really? That's so cool," Mira said, her eyes lighting up. "Do you ever make art yourself?"
"Not unless you count doodling in the margins of my notes," Jake admitted. "What about you?"
"I dabble," Mira said shyly. "Mostly sketching and a little bit of painting. Nothing like this, though."
Jake looked at her with genuine interest. "I'd love to see your work someday."
Mira blushed. "Maybe. If I ever work up the courage."
They moved through the gallery, stopping to admire a series of oil paintings depicting surreal dreamscapes. One of them featured a figure standing on a bridge made of books, the pages fluttering like wings.
"This one feels like it belongs in a story," Mira murmured, her eyes tracing the pronounced details.
"It's got a kind of literary vibe," Jake agreed. "Like it's about the journey of knowledge or something."
Mira glanced at him, surprised by his insight. "You know, for someone who claims not to be artistic, you're pretty good at interpreting these pieces."
Jake shrugged modestly. "Maybe I'm better at appreciating art than making it."
They soon found themselves in front of a photography exhibit, where a series of black-and-white portraits captured raw human emotions. Mira was particularly drawn to one of an elderly woman gazing out of a rain-speckled window, her expression a mix of sadness and hope.
"It's so powerful," she said softly.
Jake nodded. "It makes you wonder what she's thinking, what her story is."
Mira turned to him. "You really see things deeply, don't you?" she said teasingly
Jake looked slightly embarrassed but smiled. "I guess I do. It's one of the reasons I love History; you know trying to understand people and their experiences."
They shared a quiet moment, standing side by side and taking in the portraits. There was a lot of art depicting hidden meanings, lots of emotions and feelings. The somewhat quietness of the place added to the mystery of some artwork, making one look beyond the art to read meanings.
As they reached the end of the gallery, they came upon Mark's sister's piece, a large mixed-media installation titled Roots and Wings. It featured a tree made of wire and fabric, with its roots spreading across the floor and its branches stretching toward the ceiling.
"Wow," Mira breathed. "It's stunning."
"She said it's about finding balance," Jake explained. "Staying grounded while also reaching for your dreams."
Mira nodded, her eyes glistening. "I can feel that. It's so relatable."
Jake glanced at her, noticing the emotion in her expression. "You okay?"
"Yeah," Mira said, smiling. "It's just... art like this makes you think about your own life, you know?"
Jake nodded. "It does. And it's even better when you have someone to share it with."
They passed through few artworks, with Mira taking photos to show Jenna when she gets home.
After leaving the gallery, they walked together across the campus, the night air cool and refreshing.
"Thanks for letting me tag along," Mira said. "I wasn't sure if I wanted to go alone, because it was going to be boring without Jenna, but this turned out to be amazing."
"Same here," Jake said. "I didn't expect to enjoy it this much, but I guess good company makes everything better."
Mira laughed softly. "You're pretty smooth, you know that?"
Jake grinned. "Just telling the truth."
They reached the edge of the quad, where their paths diverged.
"So," Jake said, hesitating slightly. "Do you want to check out the spring show together when it comes around?"
Mira smiled, her heart lifting at the thought. "I'd like that."
As Mira walked back to her dorm, she couldn't help but feel a little giddy. She had just spent the evening with Jake at the art show, and it had been an incredible experience. She couldn't wait to share all the details with Jenna.
As she burst into their dorm room, Jenna looked up from her book, a curious expression on her face. "Hey, girl! How was the art show?"
Mira plopped down onto her bed; a huge grin still plastered on her face. "It was amazing! The artwork was incredible, took some snaps for you and Jake was so much fun to be with."
Jenna's eyes sparkled with amusement. "Oh, yeah? Jake was there too?"
"Yeah, I saw him, soon after I arrived at the venue" Mira said with a subtle smile on her face.
"And what did you and Jake do at the art show?" Jenna asked with a wide grin.
Mira giggled, feeling a little self-conscious. "We just walked around, looked at the art, and talked. It was really nice."
Jenna raised an eyebrow, teasingly. "Just talked, huh? And did you happen to take any pictures with your Mr. Jake?"
Mira's face flushed as she pulled out her phone, scrolling through the photos she had taken. "Maybe a few," she admitted, showing Jenna the pictures.
Jenna oohed and aahed over the artwork, but her eyes kept drifting back to the photos of Jake and Mira together. "You two look adorable together," she said, grinning mischievously.
Mira rolled her eyes, laughing. "Shut up, Jenna. You keep on saying this, it was just like a friendly outing and it was by coincidence."
Jenna chuckled, still teasing. "Yeah, I believe you."
Mira blushed, feeling a little flustered. "Jenna, stop it. It's not like that."
But as she looked at the photos on her phone, she couldn't help but wonder if maybe, just maybe, it was like that. And the thought sent a little thrill through her heart.
As she drifted off to sleep, Mira's mind was still buzzing with thoughts of Jake and the art show. She couldn't wait to see him again.
Meanwhile a certain someone was finding it hard to sleep. Jake had been thinking about his time with Mira, the different facial expressions she made on seeing an artwork was adorable and it kept on playing in his head, till he drifted to sleep.