***

On Monday, after the first class, I decided to forgo my breakfast to go show my painting at that gallery. It was my only free time and so I had to.

"If I end up late, I'll cook up some lie so keep me a seat." I told Lucas, "If the lie doesn't work, then I'll get the lectures from you. Do me a favour, record the teacher's lesson."

"Okay."
--
I took a cab and reached the gallery.

"Hello, James." I greeted the man.

"Hello, Harlem. You have the painting or drawing?"

"I decided to paint. Here." I handed him the huge board. I'd drawn a city. New York city. In a very beautiful and representative way.

"Wow. This is wonderful. It's amazing, Harlem."

"Thank you so much, sir. Are you buying it??"

"Not exactly. I needed you to bring two."

"What?"

"Don't worry. I'm buying this particular one, ninety dollars. If you bring me a beautiful portrait, something unique, then I'll pay you sixty more so you get a hundred and fifty at the end of the day. You agree?"

Yes!

"Yeah. I'll bring two different portraits tomorrow so you chose."

"Perfect. Here are your ninety dollars."

I took the money with both hands. And grateful as ever! I'd not gone to Brooklyn the past weekend but it'd been worth it. Because on that Saturday, I'd found another means of money.

On returning to school, I told Lucas the good news. Of course he was happy for me.

*

That night, I called Megan and made a portrait of her because she was very pretty. Then I called Gina and did same.
--
The next day during my free time, I went and presented both portraits to James. Surprisingly, he refused them saying,

"They're beautiful, yes, but not enough. These portraits are not good enough. Lemme say, they're slightly vulgar my dear. I want something new. Fresh. What you have here, anybody can do. Try again."

Stress.
--
Every night I would draw new people, both existent and imaginary! I would take them to James but the man refused them all!
--
Thursday, during some free time, I sat thinking. I was already giving up. The ninety dollars I'd earned were an encouragement but I was slowly losing them again in taxi fairs! What was I going to do? I didn't want James to give up on me.

As I thought and thought on the house's front's staircase, Lucas walking by, saw me and joined me on the stairs.

"You still haven't found a solution?" he asked.

"No. And I who was happy that I'd found something."

"What exactly does James want?"

"I don't fucking know. What da hell does he mean by something fresh and beautiful? I drew all pretty girls and the man still refused!" I said, annoyed.

"And unique. He said it must be unique."

"What does he want me to draw?? An angel??"

Lucas laughed.

"Why not heaven." he joked. I glared at him.

"Lucas, it isn't funny."

He put a hand over his mouth.

"Sorry." he apologized, amusement still lingered in his eyes. I looked at them. Beautiful. And then it hit me!

"Lucas! I'll draw you!"

"Uuh, okay."

"Yes! You're everything he described."

"Excuse me?"

"You're fresh, beautiful and unique!"

"Hum! I'm not unique, honey. And that beautiful issue makes me uncomfortable."

I laughed.

"I'm serious! Unique as in, you're a beautiful boy. That's what makes you unique. This whole time I drew only girls and brought their portraits to James. Never did I bring a boy!"

"Harlem, are you sure it'll work??"

"I know it will. I hope it will."

"Okay, then. Let's try."

I smiled and held his hand, leading him into the house and up to my room.

*
We spent the rest of evening together. I drew a first portrait of him and then he changed his posture and I drew a second. By seven forty I was done.

"Come and see."

He came over.

"Wow!"

"I know right. Both are great."

"I wish I was as talented as you." Lucas mumbled, "They're great. Which would you chose?" he asked.

"I really don't know. It's you I drew, so chose."

We were silent for a minute until Lucas spoke again.

"I chose this one."

"Perfect. I thought of it too. James would love it."

"Ching ching! Here comes the money!" Lucas exclaimed and we both laughed.

"Thanks for accepting to pose, Lucas."

"My pleasure."

***

"Now this is what I call beautiful, fresh and unique! This is it!" James exclaimed as he looked at the portrait. I beamed happily.

"Yes! Thank you!"

"No. Thank you. If you continue like this, we're both gonna make lots of money."

"I will!"

"Good. You know what? Instead of sixty, I'll pay you ninety again. I'll let you know when your portraits are bought."

"Thank you so much!"

"You're welcome!"

*
I'd used only thirty dollars from my first money and so I was left with a hundred and fifty dollars. Without wasting any time, that same night, I went to a bank and sent a hundred to my mother.

After doing so, I called her to let her know. She was grateful. I also told her I would not be able to come that weekend. She understood.
--
That same Friday night, I went to the sigma residence and called Lucas to come meet me outside.

"Okay. I'm coming" he hung up.
Some seconds after, he joined me in front of the house.

"You look happy, Harl. He accepted the portrait?"

"Yes. Just came to tell you. It's all thanks to you. I could pay you for your help but I got only fifty dollars. Sent the rest to my momma" I chuckled. He smiled.

"I don't want your money, Harl. You deserve every bit of it."

"Thanks."

"But I do want something."

I rolled my eyes and he laughed.

"I knew there was a catch."

"There always is with me."

"Hahaha, okay. What do you want?"

"I want you and I to go out tomorrow night."

"A date?" I asked, a little surprised. He smiled a little.

"I know you have a boyfriend and you seem to really like him, but let's call it a friendly date or simply a hang out."

I smirked and raised a sarcastic brow.

"Oh common, Harl, don't say no to Lulu." he made the cutest puppy eyes and I laughed.

"Fine, fine. But I'm not accepting because of your stupid puppy eyes. It's just cuz I owe you in some way."

"Your lying." he smiled cutely.
I rolled my eyes.

"Goodnight, Lucas."

Without waiting for him to reply, I turned and walked away.

Somehow, I had the feeling he was watching me intensively as I walked away.