The teachers didn’t speak in front of Kara’s work. But there was a bit of excitement in their eyes.
“This is … first love?” Raphael asked Kara.
Kara glanced at Anika and nodded.
“Mr. Grimston, you can tell that we want to express first love. Wow, you’re amazing.” Kara smiled and tried to curry favor.
First love, from shyness to passion, from lovesickness to love, the pink scarf that represented romance and sweetness wrapped around them was love and promise.
Raphael glanced at her, then pointed at the lines on the edges of the flowers. “Who drew this?”
“It was me, Mr. Grimston.”
Kara pushed Anika forward. Raphael was not surprised and nodded with satisfaction.
“Who painted these colors?” Triston raised his hand and smiled like a ruffian. “Mr. Grimston, it’s me. I use the wall-brushing technique. Isn’t that good?”
The corners of Raphael’s mouth twitched, and he took two steps back. The more he looked, the more satisfied he became.
“Well, these colors looked pleasant,” another teacher said.
Raphael glanced at Kara and did not speak.
Kendra’s color was very coordinated. It was above average.
However, Kara’s color was shocking to the eyes. It was very impressive.
These three people worked together, avoided their shortages, and revealed their advantages. They were unrestrained, arrogant, and domineering. It was really impossible to deal with them.
The teachers discussed the results and finally came to the conclusion that Kara won.
Kara was pleasantly surprised. Triston put an arm on Anika’s shoulder as if he had already guessed the result. He raised his eyebrows at Anika.
Kendra frowned and stared at the judges suspiciously, unwilling to accept this.
Kara was just a little girl that liked hooking up with men. Her drawing skills were poor. How could she win?
“Sir, I can’t accept this. Kara’s skills can’t compare to mine!”
Raphael nodded and agreed with her.
“Kara is not as good as you, this can be known without comparison. But she is smarter than you and knows how to find helpers.
“Anika and Triston’s abilities are not inferior to yours. The three of them made up for each other’s shortcomings, cooperating with each other. Your work is very good, but their overall effect is slightly better than yours.”
Raphael was telling the truth.
However, the truth was the most hurtful. Kendra blushed and glared at Kara hatefully.
“Kara, you are shameless. So you have already thought of a way to design me. You did it on purpose!”
Kara looked innocent. “Miss Kendra, don’t talk nonsense. When I said the conditions, you agreed. And there were so many people at the scene, they can testify that I did not cheat.
“You lost not because your skills are inferior to others, but because you are too self-righteous.
You thought that I was young so you agreed to anything I said. Now that you lost, you said that I lied to you. Miss Kendra, I have already reminded you that I do not rely on my skills to draw. I use my brain!”
Anika wanted to laugh, but she felt that it was not polite. So she controlled herself.
Triston didn’t care about that. He laughed out loud, which stung Kendra’s eardrums.
“You played tricks, yet you still dare to quibble. Do you want me to apologize to you? Dream on!”
Kara sneered. She did not want her to apologize.
Insincere apologies wouldn’t change anything.
“You can apologize or not apologize, but the ownership of your work is already mine!”
…
It was undoubtedly a humiliation to hand over the work that one had painstakingly drawn to others.
But Kendra had agreed to the rules of the competition. If she went back on her word, people would judge her.
She could only endure the humiliation and hand over the work she had painstakingly drawn.
Yet deep down, she was thinking that if she ever found anything unfavorable about Kara, she wouldn’t let her go.
Jadon broke the deadlock and said that it was just a game, a chance to finish their homework.
Kara found that Kendra had been staring at her with resentment. But she didn’t care. She called Donald to send someone to get the paintings.
She had agreed to give him two paintings, and now she finally could.
In the beginning, she had no confidence in this competition at all, but James had once taught her a principle that it was beneficial for her whether she won or lost.
Her purpose was to learn. In the process of competing, she saw her own shortcomings and then tried to correct them. Even if she lost badly, she got a rare and valuable learning opportunity, which was more valuable than any prize.
So when she said the conditions, she secretly thought that if she lost, she would quit the training and hand over the work, and that was no big deal.
“Are you still angry with me, Kara?”
In the classroom, the other students had all left. Kara was packing her things.
Hearing Jadon’s voice, Kara sped up her packing. Turning around, she saw him standing by the door helplessly.
“You didn’t do anything wrong. Why should I be angry?”
“Do you mean to forgive me?” Jadon walked up to her in surprise, placing both hands on her shoulders.
“Kara, this time I asked you to compete with Kendra just to find you a chance to practice because I know that with your ability, you will definitely win!”
The corner of Kara’s mouth twitched. Should she thank him?
“Kara, I…” Suddenly, Jadon stared at her with burning eyes, wanting to say something but hesitated.
Kara’s attention was all on her shoulders. His hands were on her shoulders. She wanted to shake them off, but she didn’t succeed. She felt a bit awkward.
Jadon seemed to always like touching her. This feeling was somewhat bad.
“Kara, I have a secret to tell you.”
Kara’s attention was attracted and she looked at him in confusion.
“Secret?”
“Yes, you may not accept it. But I can’t control myself.”
“Kara, from the first time I saw you, I had already fallen for you.
“Knowing that you already have a boyfriend, I am very disappointed. I also warned myself not to think too much, but I just can’t control my heart.
“Every time I see you smile like a flower in front of me but I cannot touch you, Kara, I am really in pain. So, the secret that has been hidden in my heart for a long time is that I like you.”
Kara widened her eyes in surprise and pushed him away.
“Kara, don’t be nervous and don’t avoid me. I just want to look at you more.” Jadon pressed on.
Kara retreated and hit the table.
She was anxious and tried to find an excuse to avoid him.
“Jadon, I think there is a misunderstanding. I am not good at all. How can you like me? Well, don’t you have a fiancée?”
“Yes, I know I have a fiancée, but I can’t control my feelings for you.” Jadon stared at her with complex emotions in his eyes.
“Kara, do you know the pain of liking someone but not being able to get her?”
“Jadon, I’m sorry. I already have a boyfriend, no, a husband. So, thank you for liking me. It’s impossible between us.”
Jadon had a pained expression on his face as he weakly placed his hands on the table.
“I know, but I also know that you and James are not happy together.” Jadon stared at her longingly.
Kara frowned, not liking his words at all.
“No, Jadon, you’re wrong. I’ll be happy with him.”
Her tone was firm, and her heart was filled with confidence.
“Kara, you already knew that you and James are cousins, didn’t you?
“So, don’t try to deceive yourself.”