"This collection of comic book drawings, someone used it for an interview three days ago, did you steal it?"
Christie stared at the woman before her, her face expressionless.
"Don't you feel guilty using things that do not belong to you? You may steal and plagiarize the work of others, but you will never be able to steal their talent."
Holding the comic book that she had spent half a year drawing, Christie gave a faint smile and left the interview hall amidst various gazes filled with contempt, sympathy or regret. As she was leaving, she heard one of the middle-aged men who interviewed her earlier say with a sigh, "Why do young
people nowadays like to steal the work of others? Can't they create something original?"
Original?
Christie's laugh was hollow and lacked mirth. If her work which she had painstakingly created on late nights wasn't original, then she wondered what original really was.
From the conception of the narrative to the completion of the line art and coloring, everything was the product of her tears and efforts.
Yet, today, she was accused of stealing someone else's talent.
"Christie!" Lucy called out and pushed through the crowd to reach her.
She grabbed Christie’s sleeve, and exclaimed angrily, "That bastard! That... your male god! I've been saying he's no good. How many handsome men are decent these days? He's already fooling around with that red lipped witch. I've seen them flirting and cuddling on campus..."
Christie paused and turned around to stare at her friend. Lucy read the expression on her face and crossed her arms over her chest, a small frown on her face.
“You don’t believe me. Fine, it’s your life”.
“Come on Lucy. Let’s go”, Christie replied and pulled her along gently with her.
It was a lovely afternoon, the sun was high and dazzling in the blue sky and a soft breeze blew gently. Theresa, with her flawless makeup attempted to wipe away the sweat that trickled down her rather pale face. As the wind blew, it swept the delicate strands of her hair on to the face of her companion standing next to her.
Her companion— a young man— was tall and lean with an athletic build with a handsome face that any female student would remember with a glance. His presence always commanded attention and dominated the scene even if he was only walking down the hall quietly.
He turned his head slightly to avoid the strong whiff of Theresa’s perfume and her hair, but his gaze accidentally drifted to the girl standing a short distance away from them.
Christie stood there quietly, her shoulder-length hair fluttering in the wind and soft, delicate features highlighted by the sunlight. Watching her from a distance, she seemed surreal. Her big black eyes were bright and shone in the afternoon sun.
His gaze swept over her, his expression indifferent as he walked past her. Christie felt a sting in her heart, remembering the way he used to look at her.
Miles Wallace, the guy Lucy had dubbed her “male god” and now, with Theresa who Lucy had dubbed “the red lipped witch” by his side, he seemed more untouchable than ever. Christie's eyes locked onto Miles's retreating back as she turned around to face him, her determination growing.
“You shouldn’t be here”, Miles said quietly as he walked past her.
Christie stepped forward, her voice firm. "Miles, we need to talk."
Miles stopped in his tracks but did not turn around to look at her. Theresa turned around, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "I don't think Miles is interested in talking to you, sweetie. He doesn’t talk to strangers, if you have anything to say to him, I’ll have to hear it first"
Christie ignored Theresa and walked up to Miles. She stared hard at his deep blue eyes, they were still as blue as ever and she remembered the time she used to find it attractive
“I deserve an explanation. Give me an explanation and I will let it go"
Theresa's expression turned icy. "Bothering him persistently will only make him tired. Go away"
Christie paid her no attention, she still had her gaze trained on Miles, wondering what had changed. He returned her gaze with a frosty intensity. Christie remembered the times those same cold eyes would look at her in adoration and love. Now they stared at her as though she was an enemy, a brat who wouldn’t let him be, one he couldn’t even spare a single glance.
She nearly laughed at this, brat.
He’d betrayed her trust, her faith in him. Shattered her heart, this was not Miles, this was a jerk and a fucking liar she had trusted all these years.
“I do not like to compete with others especially not a dirt bag like you. Go away or else you know what I can do. With only one word, I’ll make sure you don’t graduate”.
Miles suddenly spoke, his gaze still locked onto Christie's. "If I give you an explanation, will you leave me alone?" His words added more weight to an already tense atmosphere.
“Miles…”Theresa began
Christie’s voice was firm. "Yes."
Miles's expression remained impassive. "Tess wants to get into Lexington and that's all you need to know."
He wrapped his arm around Theresa, pulling her close and stared at her with a small smile on his face. Christie knew he was only patronizing her, Miles did not care about her.
"By the way, this is my girlfriend, Tess."
Christie's heart stung, but she smiled and nodded. Miles looked at her and Christie saw a fleeting look in his eyes but it disappeared as quickly as it came. Theresa tugged his arm lightly and they walked away.
She did not know how long she stood on that path, her body frozen and tears welling up in her chest until her legs ached. She walked over to a nearby bench and sat down, brought out her phone from her coat’s pocket and dialed Lucy's number.
"Hey Lucy, didn't you say that the CEO of Lexington goes to a bar called 'The Wildcat,' every night?"
Lucy's voice was hesitant. "Yeah and I heard that he’s always surrounded by two huge bouncers or more. No one can just approach him, more especially women".
Lucy paused and Christie stared at her nails.
“Wait! Christie, I hope it isn’t what I am thinking. Don’t even do it. Are you crazy”?
Christie laughed softly.
“Seriously Christie, that’s not a foolproof idea. Don’t think of it”.
"Well help me create a fool proof one Lucy”
Lucy sighed and muttered something she couldn’t hear.
“Will you help me, Lucy”?