It was a bright summer afternoon. Jun was starting his first year at the University of Washington. He earned his way to a scholarship in his arts class for his breathtaking portraits and takes on realism. To more familiarize himself with the area, he walked through the campus, doing so with a bright, optimistic smile. Looking at building after building in bewilderment. He offloaded his valuables into his dorm room, putting up various items to make it more homelike.

Figurines, posters, books, the works. As he settled down for the day, he layed up on his bed and scrolled through old photos in his phone. He came across a picture of flowers he took a while back. Out of boredom, He decided to draw a long winding wreath of them. Grabbing a pen and canvas, he went to work. He was incredibly focused on this project of his. So intently, he entirely lost track of time. He sketched well into the evening and into the night, drawing every minute fold, shadow, and crease of the flowers. After a long streak of sketching, filling in, erasing, and referencing. He realized it was getting much too late. He looked at the time on his phone, it read 10:43. He put up the sketch for the night, realizing it’s much too late to be working on it. He placed it next to his bed and slowly drifted off to sleep.

As the morning crept in, Jun lay there, fast asleep. But this state of deep rest would not last for much longer. As he lay there, he was rudely awakened by the alarm he set for himself the day prior. It’s 7 am, Jun begrudgingly made his way out of bed with a struggled groan. He had a list of items he needed for his classes, so he wanted to get up early to avoid the crowds. He washed up, put on an outfit, and grabbed his keys. He got in his car, squeezed out of his parking spot and drove to the art supply store to stock up on some materials and mediums. Once he arrived, he entered the store and began perusing the isles. As he looked around, he caught a glimpse of something out of the corner of his eye.

He turned his head sharply in curiosity. He looked off into the distance for a moment. Then rubbed his eyes, believing he was seeing things due to his lack of sleep. He continued going from isle to isle looking for the right materials when it happened once more. He looked down the aisle again increasingly puzzled. He got up from looking at an item low on the shelf and started walking down the aisle. He got to the end, turned left and right, and once again saw nothing. He continued filling his basket, now in a slightly unnerved state. He made his way down the water paint aisle when it happened once more. This time much more obvious. A length of pink hair floated past the aisle’s end.

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He moved closer to it as it passed by, peering over the end cap. And before him laid the most beautiful woman he had ever laid his eyes upon. He was quite literally struck by her beauty, almost running into the end cap. He sat there a moment, almost analyzing her. He quickly came back to his senses once he realized she noticed him staring.

“ahg, sorry. Didn’t mean to stare. I just felt like I was being followed for a second and wasn’t really sure what to do” he said.

“Ah, don't worry, it happens. I think we just happened to be going down the same aisles seeing as we seem to have the same items in our basket.” she responded

Jun peered Into her basket and noticed a lot of the same items.

“oh damn, you’re right…wait” Jun paused momentarily

“By any chance, are you going to the University of Washington this semester?” He asked inquisitively.

“I am actually! Are you as well?” she asked curiously

“Yes I am!” Jun responded excitedly.

“It took a lot of convincing from my parents, even with a scholarship. But I eventually wore them down when I promised I could make a career out of it.” Jun chuckled to himself

“Ah yeah…that's the hope anyway” he said. The pink haired woman laughed in agreement

“Yeah, same with my parents. They were a little bit understanding but not nearly as deluded. They know it’s not that easy to make a job out of this. But hey, a lady’s gotta have a passion right?” she said.

Jun nodded in agreement.

“The life of an artist is one of hope, passion, starvation, and severe debt. But hey, we make this rock look pretty, so that’s worth something.” Exclaimed Jun.

The pink haired lady chuckled again “You know, you’re pretty funny mister. What’s your name?” She asked.

“Jun, and yours?” He asked

“Leia” she responded