Chapter Text
"Hi! My name is Charles Leclerc, and I am a Fine Arts student, but no one knows anything about me: I SEE HAUNTING SPIRITS!! Since childhood, my mom told me this world there are spirits, some are good and some are evil. And every time I try to go to my classes...
– AH!! NOT AGAIN!! – it happens. – Why I can't have a normal day like the other guys!? Shit! – and this is me running from a Nightmare spirit, in the shape of a mare, and an imp saying "I am stupid" while poking my head with a nail.
I don't know why spirits try to pursue me, except when in my house or classes. But when I was eight years old, I saw a bloody kid in my front. I can't remember his face, but... He was protecting me. He was older than me. That day, I found a red and yellow bracelet in my room and a note written "I will see you in some years".
I think it was just an illusion from my head, but when I always use the bracelet, fewer evil spirits try to annoy me. I am sitting under a three and there are no spirits around. I have a final work for my drawing class today, but I have a smaaaall problem..."
– I NEED A PERSON TO BE MY MODEL! – Charles put his hands on his head and started to press his fingers in the hair. Sitting on a concrete bench – Damn! I can't find someone. Maybe I should call Lando or Max. They'll mock me because I need a nude model... – he sighs while typing Lando's phone number.
– Hello? Charles?
– Lando! I need your help! I need a model for my final work in drawing class.
– Oh! I can help you I think. What do I need to do?
– Errm... – Charles tries to think the best words to explain – You need... Hmm... Do you have problems with being nude?
Dramatic silence for some minutes.
– YOU WHAT!? – Lando starts to laugh in a mix of nervous and mocking. His voice starts to be far because is rolling on the floor.
– C'mon, Lando! I need help!
– Sorry, Charles... – the younger Brit tries to talk while inhaling deeply to calm himself – I can't. Don't you have a friend or other classmate to help you?
– We need someone who isn't from the drawing class. It's a challenge from our teacher. And I am not near Monaco now. Do you know if Max knows someone?
– Max!? I think he doesn't know too. Well, I need to go now. Alex is waiting for me. Good luck with your work!
– Ok, Lando. Thanks... – his sad and fading voice resumes his dissapointness. The call is finished.
Without anyone to help him, the young Monegasque stops for a time to relax his mind. He put his phones and started to draw the university landscape. Students, birds, some clouds, and the piano beats playing. When is not drawing, he's used to playing piano. The bag with sketchbooks and several art materials like Artistic Anatomy books, box of soft pencils, and professional ink pens, was near his feet. Lines and geometric forms are continuous without lifting the graphite point.
The drawing was near to finish and one of his small sketchbooks fell from the bag revealing some sketches of his classmates and close friends. A not-familiar hand takes it and starts to look page by page. Charles notices and immediately takes off the phones, drops down the material he was using, and grabs the object with a big blushed face. The other guy just smiles and giggles.
– You can't look a sketchbook without asking the artist! Geez, my things are falling...
– Let me help you, sweetie. – the pair of hairy hands starts to collect the pens and graphite refill. His voice has a strong Latino accent.
– Don't call me sweetie. It's rude. My portfolio is a mess.
– You should buy a new one now. This one has a big rip in the folder because of the overfill of sheets. And it's heavy too. Your back will hurt if continue walking with this. Also, your drawings are good. Are you from Arts classes? - asked the guy.
– Umm, yes... I am. I was trying to chill. My drawing class teacher created a challenge for us: we need to make studies with a model that is not from the class, but... - the bluish eyes down shy and embarrassed to continue.
– But...?
– I need a nude model. – he hides the blushed face in the back of the sketchbook.
– Oh! That's why you were speaking loudly early on your cell phone! I was walking to the library and heard a voice asking for help. – soft giggles start again with a smirk – Well, well, well... May I help you?
– Huh? You what? – the Monegasque eyes lift with a small glow in the golden-ringed pupils. – Help me?
– Why not? I see in your face you are desperate. But first, we need to introduce ourselves. You first, sweetie.
– I said don't call me sweetie! Ahem! – the sketchbook is put into the bag, with the art materials. – My name is Charles Leclerc. And I am near to finish the last year of Arts classes. Now it's your turn.
– My name is Carlos Sainz Jr. Last year or Art History and Criticism. – when he did the introduction, a strange wind flew into them. Charles felt his wrist burn a little and his spine freezes. Like some spirit had vanished near him.
"I... Know him? His eyes..."
– Charles? Are you ok?
– Uh!? – the mind returns to reality after a quick flashback from the bloody kid. – Sorry... It was nothing. So... Are you free in the evening?
– Sure! Where can we meet?
– I think one of the studios will be empty so we can meet there.
– Great! – the palms of Spaniard clap – So see you later, Charles! Hope you draw me like you French maids! – again, the face of the Monegasque guy becomes red like a bell pepper trying to avoid the image.
– STOP! OH MY GOD! – Carlos left the place laughing. The young artist sighs and walks to his residence on campus. Charles lives with his friends Lando, Alex, and George.
With Carlos helping him, his mind was quiet. All the fears and haunting voices around him were gone. For a moment, he felt a glimpse of that kid. Carlos’s face was like that kid's.