the seventh week was spent mostly on
conversations and the ball—a body filled
with wonderful colors, artists echo in their
joy and laughter; truly a great experience for
everyone. it was clear how everyone loved it,
with countless of artists and their paintings
run amok in a field of colors, it was truly an
experience that wasn't meant to be forgotten.

with other students now on the row of those
who breathed a strong sense of what they stand for, both joslyn and alice were the last to describe their works—as nerve wrecking as it was, it did give them enough time to make their aesthetic known.

as one explained kanye west in the most artistic way possible, while others were impressed by their hot take on the artistic einstein of music, some were clearly disgusted as some critics are known
for their notorious critics, often scathing, that have killed (physically or mentally) one's artistic abilities.

and among those were macy di'angelo. joslyn's ex, and her clear jealousy with joslyn's ever-blooming energy was more than enough to challenge joslyn and her artistic abilities and/or experiences.

as of course, the students have hid their own set of problems with their bright smiles, but really, it was getting on their nerves. as everyone else did their best to stay and work their best works so far, some went so far as making an incredible effort in making an abstract piece and still, someone gave
them a scathing review about how one doesn't fully understand art in all its form. and it really did leave a mark on that poor soul, they were sobbing almost throughout the ball.

of course, they couldn't fully comfort the poor soul, they knew that was uncalled for—but they need to be thick skinned, as they knew what they signed up for when they enrolled in art.

for every piece, from the students, were quite the magnificent pieces of art—but still, some are quick to casually destroy one's passion with one review. and really, it was difficult to even flourish in the industry they want to be in.

joslyn was clearly not in a good headspace, and alice noticed; she took a deep breath and slowly held her hands, “hey? are you alright?” alice asks, joslyn shook her head. “what's wrong?” she asks, joslyn doesn't respond—not only was it a bad time to amplify her already messy headspace, but it was also a bad time since it's their last exam.

“next week. we'll talk about it, soon,” joslyn says as alice nods and agrees. “well, whatever it is, hope it works out well for you,” alice says as she kept her hand at joslyn, still.

“and now! miss joslyn rosé gomez and alice
sánchez—please, present your artwork, and
explain the process of creating this project.”
the head instructor says, as he gestures to both alice and joslyn; they both gulp and silently agreed that alice went in first, she unsheaths her work to display a rather femine shadow with a light that has been oppressed by the light.

“the tale of the female; cursed to be a dark light, even among it's peers.” alice stood firm with her art. she continued by explaining her thoughts and the process of creating this rather colorful shadow, the light was painted in gold and black, that both represented wealth and death. while the feminine
shadow was painted in blue and silver, represented by light and hope.

she then proceeded to be bolder by it also showed herself in that shadow—she was broken by her peers and made her drink the poison of their hate, and it finished with a surprise second piece that shook her peers and critics alike, that art represents the blue and silver shadow breaking free, then she summarizes by saying that she's now
free with her own sexuality and it isn't a flaw she thought that it was back then.

and even though alice didn't turn, she could feel the love and the strong sense of regret in their claps—it was clear how everyone hated what they used to do with alice and her struggles on identity. and it was evident how the critics loved it, save for macy, she didn't like one bit.

and now, it was time for joslyn work to shine, as she shakenly unsheaths her work of art, it showed four wonderful women smiling almost as brightly, but their eyes were filled with some kind of sadness in their soul. joslyn does her best to not cry as she looks up to meet the critics' eyes.

“the founding women of alternative pop,” joslyn slowly begins, her artwork consists of lana del rey, marina diamandis, florence welch and fka twigs; four beautiful women who breathed impression among the new pop girls, and she then continued to talk about her life in a more appropriate but a bit artistic. she stressed how greatly her work and their music inspired her and reminded her of her peers, in a rather bad light.

she finally ends with the aspect of perspective, she told them about appearances; looks are deceiving,
and it made her think more about trusting people almost blindly, a clear but subtle jab at macy.

and when she ends her process of creating that piece, she looks at alice and she proudly smiles at joslyn; alice almost feels like a proud girlfriend.

joslyn, too, got a round of applause from her peers, and even though they all seemingly hated them for no apparent reason, or the lack of it, they proudly applauded. joslyn has always been a wise woman, and she deserves a round of applause for her thoughts alone.

and so, the night ends with all of them comforting the fuck out of each and every one, it was strange how they all bonded over their artworks and they also have forgave each other for their mistakes.

it was a stressful night, but a night that'll never be forgotten. for these two women
just made history by standing up for themselves and telling others that sexuality will never take away their talent.

the end.