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Tegan sat cross-legged on the hardwood floor of her small bedroom in her aunt's apartment, her sketchpad open on her lap. Sunlight streamed through the tall windows, casting warm patterns on the wooden surface. Her hand moved deftly, a pencil tracing intricate lines on the paper. She had always found solace in her art, but lately, it seemed more like a chore than a joy.She sighed, her eyes drifting to the half-finished canvas propped against the wall. It was a large painting she had started a few days ago, an ambitious project that had once filled her with excitement. Now, it felt like a burden, the pressure of creating something meaningful weighing heavily on her shoulders.The door creaked open, and Tegan's aunt Jen stepped in, a warm smile lighting up her face."How's it going, sweetheart?" Jen asked, glancing at the sketchpad.Tegan shrugged, setting the pad aside. "It's okay, I guess. I just...can't seem to get it right."Jen's gaze shifted to the unfinished painting. She walked over, studying it for a moment before turning back to Tegan. "You know, sometimes we put too much pressure on ourselves. Art should be about expression, not perfection."Tegan frowned, her frustration evident. "I know, but I feel like I'm stuck. Like I can't create anything worthwhile."Jen sat down beside her, placing a comforting hand on Tegan's shoulder. "Every artist goes through phases like this. It's part of the journey. But you have to remember why you started creating in the first place."Tegan looked at her aunt, her eyes filled with uncertainty. "What if I've lost that spark forever?"Jen's smile was gentle but firm. "You haven't lost it. It's still there, waiting for you to rediscover it. Maybe you just need to take a step back and find inspiration in other things for a while."Tegan nodded, her spirits lifting slightly. "Maybe you're right."Determined to give it another try, Tegan stood up and moved to the easel. She picked up a brush, dipping it into a vibrant blue paint. With a deep breath, she began to apply broad strokes to the canvas, the familiar rhythm of painting soothing her nerves.But as the minutes ticked by, the frustration crept back in. The colors didn't blend the way she wanted them to, and the image in her mind refused to take shape on the canvas. With a groan of exasperation, she dropped the brush, paint splattering across the floor."I can't do this," she muttered, stepping away from the easel. "It's not working."

Feeling defeated, Tegan grabbed her phone and collapsed onto the couch. She opened Instagram, scrolling through photos of her friends from back home. They all seemed so content, their lives filled with parties, school events, and weekend trips. Tegan felt a pang of longing for the familiarity of her old life.She decided to update her own profile, hoping to distract herself from the frustration of her failed painting. She looked at her old posts, feeling a wave of embarrassment hit her as she saw all of the posts about parties. She selected a few recent photos: a picture of the Eiffel Tower at sunset, of the streets where she lived in the early morning, of her on the balcony, a snapshot of a cozy café where she spent her mornings, and a selfie with Juliette at the park, their faces lit up with laughter.Posted.Within minutes, her phone buzzed with notifications. Comments and likes poured in from different peopl back home."Wow, Tegan, Paris looks amazing!" one friend wrote."Miss you! We need to catch up soon," said another.Tegan felt a strange feeling spread through her chest as she read the messages. It would have been warmth if any of those people had cared about her while she was actually there. Or messaged her. After all, she hadn't even told anyone that she'd be leaving, but she didn't get a single "Where are you?". She was better off without them.That evening, Tegan and Jen settled in for their weekly film night. It was a tradition they had started when Tegan first moved in, a way to unwind and bond after busy days. They chose a classic French film, the soft glow of the television casting a cozy light across the room.As the movie played, they shared a bowl of popcorn, their laughter mingling with the dialogue on the screen. Tegan felt the tension from earlier in the day melting away, replaced by a sense of peace.During a quiet moment in the film, Jen turned to Tegan, her expression thoughtful. "You know, we've been here for a while now. Have you thought about inviting some of your friends or parents to visit?"Tegan considered the idea, her mind drifting to the people she missed. "I have, actually. Well, parents anyway. It would be nice to show them around, let them see what my life is like here."Jen nodded, her smile encouraging. "It could be a great way to reconnect. Plus, Paris is always better when shared with loved ones."Tegan smiled, the thought of her friends and family visiting filling her with excitement. "Yeah, maybe...that might be nice."As the credits rolled on the film, she hugged Jen tightly, feeling grateful for her aunt's unwavering support. "Thanks, Aunt Jen. For everything."