Evelyn sat at her desk, staring at the competition entry form on her laptop screen. The cursor blinked expectantly as if urging her to make a decision.
She took a deep breath, her fingers hovering over the keyboard. This was a big step—one she never thought she'd be brave enough to take.
Her phone buzzed. It was a message from Adrian.
Adrian: "Hey, if you're doubting yourself, stop. You're incredible. Submit the damn form. "
She smiled to herself, a warmth spreading through her chest. Before she could second guess, she typed in her information, attached the necessary files, and hit **submit**. The confirmation email arrived almost instantly.
There was no turning back now.
---
The Big Announcement
Two weeks passed in a blur. Between work at the gallery and school assignments, Evelyn barely had time to think about the competition. It wasn't until she received an email with the subject line **"Congratulations! You've been selected!"** that it all hit her at once.
She read the email twice, then a third time. Her heart pounded. Out of thousands of entries, hers had been chosen to be showcased at the city's biggest art exhibition.
She called Mia first.
"Mia, I got in."
The line went silent for a beat. Then—
"WHAT?! Ev, are you serious?!"
Mia practically screamed through the phone.
"I knew it! I freaking knew it! Hold on, I'm calling Adrian."
Before Evelyn could protest, her phone buzzed with an incoming conference call.
"EVELYN!"
Adrian's voice boomed through the speaker.
"I'm so proud of you! We need to celebrate. Where are you? I'm buying a cake."
Evelyn laughed, pressing a hand over her chest to steady her racing heart.
"I'm at the gallery. But guys, it's just an exhibition. I haven't won anything."
Mia scoffed.
"You don't get it. This is huge. You'll have industry professionals looking at your work. This could be the start of something big for you."
Adrian chimed in,
"Mia's right. You're going to kill it."
Evelyn swallowed back the lump in her throat. For the first time in a long time, she allowed herself to believe it.
---
The Night of the Exhibition
The gallery was packed with people, all dressed in their finest.
Evelyn fidgeted with the hem of her dress, her stomach twisting into nervous knots. Sophia stood beside her, her usual composed expression in place.
"Breathe,"
Sophia murmured.
"You deserve to be here."
Evelyn exhaled slowly, scanning the room. Then, her gaze landed on something—or rather, someone—familiar. Her parents.
She froze.
Her father stood stiffly near the entrance, while her mother whispered something to him. They looked around as if unsure whether they belonged. Evelyn's chest tightened.
She hadn't invited them.
Mia, sensing the shift in her mood, followed her gaze. Her expression darkened.
"Do you want me to ask them to leave?"
Evelyn shook her head, swallowing hard.
"No. I... I don't know why they're here, but I don't want to cause a scene."
Sophia studied her carefully.
"You don't have to talk to them. This night is about you."
And yet, Evelyn couldn't ignore the flicker of something unfamiliar in her father's eyes when he spotted her—pride? Regret? She wasn't sure.
For now, she chose to focus on what mattered.
---
As the night went on, Evelyn met several artists, curators, and collectors who praised her work.
It was unreal, to stand among people who genuinely appreciated what she had to offer.
Adrian handed her a glass of sparkling cider.
"How does it feel to be a rising star?"
Evelyn laughed, shaking her head.
"I'm not a star yet."
Mia smirked.
"Give it time."
As she stood there, surrounded by the people who truly cared about her, Evelyn realized something.
She wasn't that scared, uncertain girl anymore. She had grown, she had healed, and for the first time, she truly believed in herself.
And that was more valuable than any award.