KATE POV
My eyes fluttered open as I woke up from my unending dream, drawing in the bright rays of morning sunlight from my window. And it dawned on me that it was daybreak already. I bolted out of bed hurriedly, slipped on my flip-flops, and dashed excitedly into my drawing studio, my safe haven.
As I burst through the door, I checked the clock and panicked for a hot second before remembering it was a blissful day off from classes. Phew! But my mind was still reeling from the crazy dream I just had. It was the same recurring dream about 'him', but this time, his face was crystal clear! For the first time in years, his image wasn't shadowy, blurry, or a silhouette.
Pausing at the entrance of the studio, I reflected on the dream with a mixed feeling- excitement and anxiety. I couldn't shake off the feeling that this dream was about to change my life from now. The warm, cozy feeling of the studio room gave me a sense of ease as I delved deeper to my drawing area.
"Let's get this done, Katie." I muttered, as I settled on the fluffy white mat on the floor.
My hands itched with a fervor to bring my 'dream man' to life on paper. Grabbing my drawing tools, I closed my eyes, creating the images on my head first, then unleashing the imagination on the paper... eyes still closed. My pesky sister, Sandra, would say that's my superpower.
And think of the devil; the door creaked opened, revealing Sandra Albert, my foster sister.
"Katie, are you kidding me right now? You promised we'd get our face masking done together today, and you're here drawing a non-existing creature who's been haunting your dreams, If I could guess right. Tsk, tsk, I'm sure you've not had a brush yet." She rambled on as she reached me.
How could I forget to lock the door, knowing that I have a sister who would always give me an earful? I placed my index finger on my lips, indicating she should be quiet, my eyes still closed the whole time. I could imagine how she was looking at that moment but I can't trade the moment for anything. I just want to finally have the full view of my 'knight in shinning armor' and maybe track him down if he's real as I believed.
Thankfully, Sandra didn't press further, and I thought she's gone because I didn't hear any sound. I finally opened my eyes, turning my drawing paper over, and yes, I draw upside down. That's my second drawing superpower, as said by Sandra. I gasped in surprise, because there, staring back at me, was the face I had seen in my dreams - but with a twist. It was Lexie, my supposed brother, who hated me for no reason. It felt so wrong and confusing.
This has never happened before- drawing the wrong person, something must be wrong somewhere. I wondered in confusion because I was very sure I had drawn my prince charming, the man in my dream and stuck in my head.
"Woahhh!!" Sandra's excited voice made me jolt in fear; it turned out she hasn't left. Probably checking out my other art works, I guess.
"I knew it! I knew your rigid heart has some place for love. You silly! Why do you keep pretending and denying you don't like Lexie?" She hit me playfully, her voice dripping with excitement.
"No, no Sandie. Something is wrong somewhere. I don't intend to draw him. I…" I tried to convince her, but I was confused as hell.
"It's okay, Katie. I understand you. For someone who is so introverted like you, you wouldn't want to admit your feelings right away. Same goes for my brother; he likes you too. He's just being strong-headed, and that'd why it seems like he dislikes you. That's his own way of expressing his emotions…" And there we go again! Sandra and her love preaching.
"Sandra, you'd be late for school. Let's go for breakfast before mom comes looking for us." I pushed her gently to keep her mouth shut, and we headed out, not without me glancing at the drawing one last time, my heart racing irregularly.
As we headed for the breakfast, Sandra won't stop rambling about how we both should give love a chance between us. Well, who matches up supposed siblings if not Sandra Albert? I only listened to half of what she's saying as I suddenly felt nervous facing Lexie Albert at the table. Was it because the drawing turned out to be him, or my usual anxiety around him only increased today? I made a mental note to make a second drawing after Sandra had left for school.
Dining Room.
Dad sat at the head of the table, Mom by his left, and Lexie at the far end. I almost forgot it was a full-house breakfast today. The Albertsons family usually eat breakfast together at least twice a week, a way to reignite love and unity. Sandra took her seat by by Dad's right leaving me to sit beside Lexie.
"Good morning, Dad and Mom." I greeted as I sat down
"Was just about to come drag you down, sleepy heads," Mom said, typical of her; we can't start eating if we're not complete.
"Sleepyhead, Mom." Sandra said, emphasizing on the 'head' while eyeing me jokingly. It's fair to say, Sandra is the life of the home, making everywhere lively and interactive, an attitude she got from dad, Coleman Albertson.
"Sandra…" I was about to continue the playful banter, a way to calm my racing nerves but Lexie's cold voice interrupted me, making my confidence falter.
"Can we just eat? We're not going to be here forever?"
"It's okay, kiddies. Let's eat or it gets cold." Dad responded, while mom glared at him slightly. Sandra pouted, rubbing my thighs under the table, to calm me down. We began eating, my head bowed down throughout.
The chatter continued, but I didn't have energy to participate much.
Sandra mentioned something about Career Day in her school. I looked up and …. Did Lexie just look at me? Okay, it's an unintended glance.
"Why would Principal Daniels invite that old hag for a speech in Bryant high? Mom hissed annoyingly. The 'Old hag' was lady Lynch, her rival in the fashion world.
Okay, a little detail about my family. Dad, Coleman Albertson, is the CEO of Albertsons ventures Inc., one of the biggest business conglomerates in Mexico. Mom, Angela Albertson, she's into fashion business with fashion brands all over the city. Sandra, 18, but acts 22, in her last grade in Bryant High, one of the biggest high school in Mexico. Lexie, 24, the first and only son of the Albertsons, recently graduated from Harvard university with major in business. I would always include that he's my biggest enemy, yeah he dislikes the sight of me and picks offense at the slightest offence. Me? Well, you'll get to know more later. My name? Katherine.
"Mom, you were given the invitation at first and you turned it down claiming you won't be chanced."
They kept arguing back and forth while my thoughts were slightly occupied with the image I created that morning.
My eyes unconsciously shifted to Lexie's again, and I could swear I caught him staring at me. Now this is weird and makes me feel uncomfortable.
"Lexie, I want Katherine to meet my friend, Professor Bridges, who just arrived from Australia. He's a master in arts and crafts. You'd drop her off at his office today." Dad's sudden announcement caught everyone, especially me off guard. My heart increased it's racing acceleration and the table went silent for a split second.
"Oh yeah… I'm sure he'd be much impressed when he sees you in person." Mom chipped in, smiling.
"I think…..
"I won't….
We both spoke at once, and our eyes locked with a strange emotion swirling inside me