Page 55 of The Artist
“No, but I find it mean to put others down like that. Calling us naïve is rude.”
“That’s why it’s best if we all work together. You Motlanders lead with empathy, we Northlanders with bravery, and the French with reasoning.”
“We Nmen are also great strategists,” Thor added.
Victor had his eyes on the chessboard and lifted a piece while speaking in a level tone. “Yes, but by reasoning, Freya is referring to intelligence because she knows we French are superior in brainpower.”
The bickering between Victor and Thor continued, but I stopped paying attention as I was distracted by Belle, who fetched her sketch pad and retreated to a cozy chair by the window.
As if I were a painter myself, I studied the way she was curled up and her tongue peeked out in concentration for a few seconds before she pulled it back in and chewed on her lip instead. A strand of her hair was hanging loose in front of her face and a few times she brushed it back. Still it kept finding its way forward as if it were as curious to see what she was drawing as I was.
After ten minutes, I walked over. “Are you making another masterpiece?”
She moved a bit and made room for me to sit on the armrest of the chair. “I was inspired by what Freya said about empathy, bravery, and reasoning.”
“Can I see?”
Belle hesitated for a second before handing me the pad with her drawing that showed three people forming a circle around planet Earth. A woman stood with her back turned. From the way her head was leaned back far enough that I could see her face, I recognized Holly and traced my finger over the tears in her eyes. To Holly’s right stood a chess piece with Victor’s solemn face, and to her left was Thor dressed in an old-fashioned knight’s costume.
“Hmm. Very symbolic.”
“What do you see?”
“Well, your dimensions are a bit off. Holly is much smaller than Victor and Thor, but you drew them all three as equals in size.”
“I did that on purpose because it’s not about them as people but what they represent.”
“I see. And what about the fact that she’s reaching out to them but they’re not taking her hands?”
“Victor’s crossed arms signal the closed-off attitude of our government. They’ve always been skeptical of outsiders and still are.” She gave a jut of her chin to the pad. “Whereas Thor’s strong stance with his legs spread and his hands on his hips is his usual power position of dominance.”
“You don’t say much when we have discussions, but your art is very expressive. So, tell me, who do you think is the better fit to rule the world?”
A triangle formed between her eyebrows as Belle took back the pad and tapped her pen on it. “I’m disappointed that you didn’t get the answer to your question from the drawing. It’s right here.”
“Where?”
“There!” I noticed the colorful rings on Belle’s fingers as she tapped on planet Earth in the middle of her drawing. “It’s like you’re asking me which part of my body is more important, my heart, brain, or nervous system? It’s impossible to tell because I can’t function unless they all work together. It’s the same with the world. We need to work together.”
My lips lifted in a smile. “I wish you would speak up more. You have a way of seeing right through the bullshit.”
She shrugged. “Yeah, well, I didn’t hear you say much tonight either.”
Leaning closer, I whispered, “That’s because I was too preoccupied thinking about how I’m going to prove to you that I’m a ten.”
Her gaze darted to the others, but they were still debating and not paying attention to us.
“You haven’t told anyone, have you?” she whispered back.
“Of course not.”
“Good. It has to stay between you and me.”
I agreed, of course, but a part of me was also a little offended. “Why? Are you embarrassed about sleeping with me?”
There was a moment of slight tension between us as she hesitated, but before I could push Belle for an answer, Aubri came over.
“I’m done with Victor and his shit for one night. These debates always give me a headache.”
