Two days later, I returned to my old high school to visit my homeroom teacher.
She was overjoyed to see me back.
Grasping my hands warmly, she spoke at length, her gaze full of affection and emotion.
“How are you doing now? Are you still painting?”
Back when I had just started high school, my grades were unstable. My family had been worried sick that I wouldn’t make it to college.
It was she–the new teacher who had recently been assigned to our class–who discovered my artistic talent. I had a keen eye for color and a strong sense of spatial imagination.
She strongly encouraged me to pursue the arts. And in the end, I chose that path.
Throughout my three years of high school, she looked after me with great care. Even when I went abroad to study and searched for art schools, she played an instrumental role behind the scenes.
After Noah Carter and I broke up, she had truly worried that I’d be so heartbroken I would never pick up a brush again.
“I’m still painting, Miss. I’ve never stopped,” I said.
She was the one I remained most grateful to. And this time, I had come back with a special surprise for her.
“Miss, I returned to the US this time because I’ve been invited by The Armory Show to hold my first solo exhibition.”
I handed her the invitation from my bag.
She went from puzzled to utterly stunned.
“The Armory Show? A solo exhibition?”
Her hand trembled slightly as she held the invitation, and her eyes shifted from shock to pride.
Soon, a layer of mist welled up in her gaze.
“I knew it. I always knew. Mint, you have real talent. You were always my most gifted student. Back then, when you were with Noah… I was so afraid…”
Her words stirred something deep inside me.
“Miss…”
She wiped her eyes, her voice filled with emotion as she looked at me.
“When you gave up the School of Visual Arts and RISD, I was so worried… But now, fortunately, you…”
The more she wiped away her tears, the more they kept coming.
I couldn’t help but tear up as well.
Chapter 12
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“You’ll always be my mentor.”
We talked for a long time. Before I left, she promised she would come see my exhibition.
Just before I walked out, she added softly, “Mint, your style… it’s brighter than before.”
I knew what she meant.
I smiled faintly. “Miss, it’s just as you thought.”
She gave a gentle nod, her eyes warm and kind, just like years ago.
“Congratulations. And I wish you all the happiness in the world.”
I would be.
Chapter 12
