Chapter 12: Clouded mind

"I still can't believe you met Jeremy Nobody," Nicole exclaimed, her eyes filled with excitement.

"Yeah, I did. And you know what? I think he actually liked my painting," Melissa replied with a sense of wonder.

"Wow, that's amazing," Sam chimed in. "Did you tell him it was yours? You know, with the whole made-up artist name and everything," Nicole asked, rolling her eyes playfully.

Melissa paused for a moment, contemplating her response. "Well, I didn't think it was relevant," she admitted.

Nicole scoffed. "Are you kidding? God, you should have told him."

"What's the use of telling him? We'll probably never meet again, so..." Melissa trailed off.

"Because then he would know he was talking to a goddamn freaking amazing artist. You never take credit for anything, and you're crazy talented," Nicole insisted, her enthusiasm unwavering.

Melissa couldn't help but smile at her friends' unwavering support. "How could I have remembered when the moment I looked up at him, I almost forgot