Blank Canvas

Chapter Eighteen

Note: I published five chapters today to make up for my long absence. I hope you are all having a great and healthy new year. Time flies quickly indeed. I also added a summary in all chapters to serve as somewhat of a preview. Thank you for reading.

Summary: Talia tagged along with Jay as he carried out his unlawful creative activities late at night. An admission was made before the two friends parted ways in the early hours of the morning.

I looked at my phone and realized that it was almost midnight when Felix dropped me off. It was Friday, and I knew that I would not get into trouble. Besides, Mom was aware that I was out on a date. I was searching for my keys when I heard a rustling sound behind me. Instantly, I went into vigilant mode.

Then, a familiar voice echoed from out of the dark shadows.

"Hey."

I turned around and saw Jay with a backpack. He was dressed in an all-black ensemble. "What the hell, Jay? You scared me," I said to him. "I almost used my pepper spray on you."

"Sorry," he said. He stared at the pink and white hippo toy that Felix won at one of the carnival games. I was going to give it to Mia. His eyes traveled to the box that had the candy apples inside of it. I bought them for Mia. If Jay found all those things to be weird, he did not show it. He remained stoic.

"Where are you going anyway? Don't tell me, you're a part-time ninja on a confidential mission."

"I wish," he answered. "But I'm going on an exceptional excursion. I'm going to spread art awareness. Want to come? The world could use some of your art too. Come on. Help me again." He gestured to his motorcycle and his backpack that was rattling with what I presumed to be cans of spray paint.

A feeling of hesitation came over me. "Are you saying that you're going to go out in the wee hours of the morning and vandalize public property? Haven't we done that enough? Plus, that's illegal, Jay. Most importantly, it's visual pollution."

"Technically, yes. But I don't see it that way. It's an unused and unattractive wall in the middle of an urban area. I create art. It's sensible graffiti. Besides, it's not an aesthetic concern. It is those commercial billboards and mass of wires and poorly-managed wastes that cause eye fatigue among the people."

"Have you ever been arrested?"

Jay gave me a sheepish smile and said, "Not yet, although I have been called once at the principal's office because they suspected that I was the one who generated a freedom wall in school. Does that count? That was way back in high school." He gave me a sheepish smile and said, "They were right but they had no proof."

"Did the wall stay?"

"No, it was painted over and eventually destroyed. That blank wall was taking up unnecessary space. I converted it to art but I was condemned for it. Most students saw me as a troublemaker without a cause." There was a hint of sadness in his voice but it disappeared immediately. "Anyway, I had close encounters with the police for the past few months but I'm pretty fast and I have lookouts."

"Lookouts?"

"Yes. They are people who do not mind seeing random illustration on walls. I give them food, not money. It's not a payoff but a show of gratitude." He pointed to a box secured at the back of his motorcycle. "Come on, Talia. Let's go on an exciting escapade, just like we did before. I promise we will not get arrested."

I smiled at him and nodded slowly. "Wait here, I have to change first," I said. I could not do street art and possibly engage in an unprecedented run-in with the cops in my dress and I have to protect my feet, which have been slayed by Celia's shoes. I have blisters from wearing new shoes. After five minutes, I sat on Jay's motorcycle in black pants, black cotton shirt and my old combat boots. For added stealth factor, I put a black baseball cap on my head.