After bumping into each other, an awkward gaze happened between them. They both stared at each other in confusion, as if they felt somehow familiar.
"Hey, what's wrong with you!!" shouted Rojan at Art.
"Ohh, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to, friend?" replied Art.
"Hmmmm, where are your eyes!!" Rojan shouted again.
"Hey, you're the one standing in the way and blocking my path!" Art shouted back.
"Haaah, how rude of you! Who are you?" Rojan replied.
"I'm Art, and who are you?" answered Art.
"You don't know? I'm Rojan, the ruler around here, so don't you dare run into me and my friends like that! I won't hesitate to beat you up!!" Rojan threatened.
"Alright then, I don't have time for you!" replied Art.
Art ignored him and ran back to the competition room to take his seat.
Then the competition was about to begin.
"Ding..." (sound of the bell)
"Alright, dear audience. The competition is about to begin, but before we start, we'll announce the rules! Please listen carefully!" said the committee.
Rule number one: no cheating allowed.
Rule number two: the drawing must be original.
Rule number three: once the bell rings to collect the artworks, you must submit them immediately. If it's more than 30 minutes late, the committee will not accept the artwork.
Late submissions will not be accepted. Also, this competition is being covered by the media, internet, and social media. So, show your best work!" said the committee member.
"Waaahhh!" the other participants screamed with excitement.
"We'll be on TV and become famous! This is such a prestigious competition!" they exclaimed.
"That's all the rules. Do you all understand?" the committee shouted.
"Yes, sir!" they all answered in unison.
"Okay, the first bell will ring shortly, and the competition will begin!" said the committee.
Then Art, Angela, and the others got ready to grab their painting tools, because every second counted. The excitement was evident on their faces—it was a once-a-year grand competition.
Meanwhile, Rojan, along with Polo and Delvi and their friends, couldn't stay calm because they were watching Art and Angela sitting close together due to their adjacent seat numbers.
It seemed that besides Rojan's ambition, he also had a strong sense of jealousy. But Polo surprised Rojan who had been staring at Art and Angela.
"Hey bro, stop thinking about them. Let's start drawing before the competition ends. We can't lose to them!" Polo exclaimed.
"You're right, my friend Polo and Delvi. I'll make Art and Angela embarrassed by my greatness in this competition!" Rojan declared.
"Let's see whose painting is more beautiful," Rojan added arrogantly.
"Hahahahaha," Rojan laughed smugly.
"That's right," Polo and Delvi chimed in, continuing their artwork.
All participants began mixing colors and making sketches.
The contestants' sketches were beautiful, ready to be colored. The competition atmosphere was focused and intense, but cheerful too, thanks to the vibrant colors that lifted the mood.
Suddenly, Rojan's almost-finished sketch got smudged and ruined.
"Ugh, damn it! My drawing is messed up, and it was almost done!" Rojan exclaimed.
"What's wrong, Rojan?" asked Polo, noticing Rojan looking frustrated.
"Hmm, oh, it's nothing. There was a little mistake. My sketch accidentally got smeared!" said Rojan.
"Just redraw it then!" said Polo.
"Okay, hmm, but I don't remember the idea I had—it was complicated and I forgot how to do it again!" Rojan responded.
"Aha, don't worry Rojan!" said Polo as he gave Rojan a new idea.
"Ah, what idea is that?" Rojan asked.
"Well, you and Art are rivals, right? What if you just swap your unfinished drawing with his? So when the bell rings, he won't win and will be disqualified. Then Angela will realize it!" Polo explained.
"Hmmmm, that's a good idea Polo. But how do I get his drawing?" said Rojan.
"You just need to walk by and distract him with a chat. Then we'll help by switching his artwork with yours while he's distracted," said Polo.
"Okay, sounds good! Let's start!" Rojan said excitedly.
They began executing their sneaky plan. Rojan walked by with his friends Polo and Delvi.
Art, who was busy pouring his inspiration into the drawing, was suddenly approached by them.
"Ahem-ahem," they intentionally passed by Art.
"Eh, you again, Rojan!" said Art.
"Wow, your drawing's pretty good," said Rojan with a smirk.
"Yeah, this is from practice and hard work. How about your sketch, is it done?" replied Art.
"Almost, yeah, nearly done," Rojan said casually.
"You're amazing, Rojan," said Art.
"Of course, it's thanks to my father who taught me!" replied Rojan.
"Oh, Angela's with you too?" added Rojan.
"Yes, she's been kind since we signed up here," said Art.
"Alright then, say hi to her for me!" said Rojan, deliberately distracting Art.
Art started to wonder, "Hmm, could it be that Rojan likes Angela? Hmph, she's mine," he thought, with a jealous look.
While Art was distracted looking at Angela, Polo quickly switched his drawing.
"Boss, I've swapped the drawings!" whispered Polo.
"Oh, okay then, Art. I'll get back to my drawing," Rojan said quickly.
"Alright," Art replied, unaware of their actions.
Then they returned to their seats.
"Hahaha, we did it, boss!" said Polo.
"Hehehe, thanks to your brilliant idea," replied Rojan.
After taking Art's drawing and switching it, Art turned back to continue his work, but was shocked...
"Whoa, why does my drawing look different? Hmm, did I misplace it?" he asked Angela, confused.
"Huh? No, Art. I've been working on mine the whole time. Maybe you misplaced yours," Angela replied.
Art became anxious and panicked. Meanwhile, the committee announced:
"Fifteen minutes remaining! Please finish your artwork; the bell will ring soon," said the committee.
Art grew weaker and sad. Tears rolled down his cheeks...
"There's no hope. If I don't win this competition, I'll have to help the teacher at the shop to pay off debt. Stay strong, Art… stay strong!" Art said sadly to himself.
At that desperate moment, Art felt all hope was lost...
But his spirit to not give up awakened, and he began sketching again.
Suddenly, a cat ran under Art's table, brushing against his feet. No one else noticed the white cat.
"Ouch, a cat?" But no one knew where the cat came from. Art grew curious.
Then he heard a voice, "Hey Art, calm down. I'm your guardian angel!" said the cat.
"Huh?!" Art screamed. The other contestants and Angela were startled.
"Hey, what's wrong, Art?" asked Angela.
"Oh, there's a spirit!" exclaimed Art, confused.
"Where??" they asked, but couldn't see anything.
"Hehehe, shouting is useless, Art. Only you can see me!" said the angel-cat. Art was confused and curious.
"Oh, it's nothing, everyone, please continue your work!" said Art.
"Hey, spirit cat, where did you come from? And how can you talk?" asked Art, petting the cat.
"Hmm, I'll explain later. It's a long story. I came to help and protect you!" said the cat.
"Huh… okay, now my drawing is gone, and I don't know who took it. I have no idea, and time is running out. I can't lose this competition!" Art exclaimed.
"Haha, that's a small problem, Art," said the angel-cat.
"I know who took it. It was Rojan!!" the cat revealed.
Furiously, Art looked at Rojan's almost-finished drawing.
"Hah! That jerk! He bumped into me earlier, and now he's stolen and copied my work!" Art said angrily.
Art was about to rise, "Calm down, Art!" said the angel-cat.
"Why?" Art asked, curious.
"That artwork of yours—now with Rojan—would only win second or third place!" said the angel-cat.
"What?! How can that be?" Art was confused.
"Just trust me and follow my guidance. Your next artwork will win first place!" the cat said confidently.
The angel-cat began giving Art instructions, and soon he finished a beautiful painting—a futuristic cityscape of Venice.
"Ding!" The bell rang, signaling the end of the competition.
"Alright, participants, please submit your artworks for judging!" said the committee.
"Ughh!" the contestants reacted—some happy, others upset at not finishing—but all had to submit their work.
"Please wait in the lounge afterward," added another staff member.
Then Art and his friends headed to the lounge.
"Art, are you thirsty?" asked Angela.
"Yes, Angela," replied Art.
"Alright, you, Tommy, and the others wait here. I'll get drinks for you!" said Angela.
"Okay," they replied happily. Angela went to a nearby store...
"Hey Art, what did you think of the competition?" asked Tommy.
"Oh yeah, it was pretty intense and fun," answered Art.
"You know, I drew a zoo—with elephants, horses, and other animals. How about you, Avicii?" said Tommy.
"I drew the ocean and beautiful coral!" answered Avicii.
"Your painting's definitely gonna win, hahaha!" said Jack.
"Well, I painted a beautiful scenery!" said Art.
"What kind of scenery?" asked his friends, curious.
"You'll see," said Art confidently.
Then Angela returned with drinks...
"Hey guys, while we wait for the committee, let's drink!" said Angela.
"Wow, you're so kind, Angela. Thank you!" they said.
"You're welcome," Angela replied.
While Art, Angela, and their friends were enjoying their time, Rojan and his gang suddenly arrived…
"Hahahaha, look who's here—little Art and Angela. How was your artwork?" Rojan mocked.
"Shut up, Rojan! You switched my drawing!" Art said angrily.
"Hey, watch your mouth!" Rojan snapped back.
A fight broke out, and Rojan punched Art right in the cheek.
Art fought back, and his friends stood up to break the fight... but Rojan's friends blocked them, making the situation worse.
"Whoa, look! They're fighting!" the other participants said, which attracted the staff's attention.
"Hey, who's fighting over there? Stop it!" said the staff.
Many rushed to break up the fight. Art and Angela's friends were crying because of the chaos...
"That's enough, you should make peace!" said a staff member.
"I won't!" Rojan shouted.
"He dared to oppose me and doesn't even know who I am—I'm Rojan, son of Captain Arial, ruler of the neighboring land!" Rojan declared.
The committee fell silent, afraid of Rojan's threats. His father was well-known across the neighboring land and in the city of Veneshmia as a ruthless pirate...