Beneath the Surface

Part 3

Once dressed in a dark grey oversized tank top and black pants that hugged his athletic frame, he glanced at the clock and felt a rush of adrenaline. "Shit!" he cursed, realizing he was running out of time. He tossed his bag over his shoulder, already feeling the weight of the day's responsibilities.

Yok hurried to the kitchen, where he found Gram had already left for class. On the counter sat a piece of toast that his friend had made for him, now slightly cold but still edible. He grabbed it and bit into it, the crunch echoing through the room as he rushed to gather his things.

As he chewed, he ran his fingers through his hair again, trying to tame the wild strands into some semblance of order. Grabbing his keys, he quickly scanned the room one last time to ensure he hadn't forgotten anything important.

"Let's go!" he muttered to himself, the toast still clutched between his teeth as he dashed out the door, not caring that he hadn't properly said goodbye to Gram. The sound of the world outside greeted him as he slammed the door shut behind him, the chaotic morning now a memory as he plunged headfirst into another day of university life.

He took a deep breath of fresh air as he hurried down the hallway, ready to tackle whatever awaited him on campus, thoughts of unfinished paintings and classes swirling together in a chaotic blend, much like the life he led.

~

The large lecture hall was bathed in a soft, golden glow from the late morning sun that filtered in through the tall, arched windows. Dust particles swirled lazily in the beams of light, giving the space a tranquil, almost ethereal atmosphere. Despite the serene setting, the room buzzed with quiet chatter, the hum of students shifting in their seats, flipping through notebooks, and setting up their laptops.

At the front of the class stood Professor Harlan, an older man with greying hair and wire-rimmed glasses perched low on his nose. His voice filled the room as he paced back and forth, gesturing toward the whiteboard, which was filled with dates, names of famous artists, and sketches of classical works. He spoke with the enthusiasm of someone deeply passionate about his subject, delving into the history of Renaissance art.

"The Renaissance was a period of great cultural change and achievement, spanning roughly the 14th to the 17th century. This era saw a resurgence of interest in the classical past and the development of linear perspective, a technique that revolutionized the way artists viewed and portrayed the world." Professor Harlan paused, letting the information sink in. "Now, who can tell me why the work of Leonardo da Vinci is considered the pinnacle of this period?"

A few hands shot up around the room. Among them was a girl named Lena, sitting near the front, her perfectly organized notes already open in front of her. She was dressed in a soft pink sweater, with round glasses that magnified her eyes slightly. "It's because da Vinci was a master of both art and science. His understanding of anatomy and geometry allowed him to create works that were both technically precise and emotionally resonant," Lena explained, her voice steady and confident.

"Very good, Lena," the professor responded, nodding in approval.

A few more students chimed in, adding their thoughts on da Vinci's use of chiaroscuro and his ability to convey human emotion in subtle ways. Yok sat near the back of the lecture hall, half-listening as the discussion unfolded. His notebook was open, but instead of taking notes, he was absentmindedly sketching the outline of a figure, letting his thoughts drift.

The room around him was large and filled with about fifty students, each one varying in levels of interest and engagement. Some were eagerly following the lecture, while others stared blankly at their screens or doodled in the margins of their notebooks. Despite the noise, a sense of academic focus lingered in the air.