"Gardenia", Nalani spoke, mesmerized by the painting before her.

"You have good eyes, dear", a familiar voice spoke.

Mrs. Elle Edwards, the librarian, approached her with a cart of books to shelve. She noticed Nalani's captivated gaze and smiled warmly. "Ah, it was you Nalani" 

"Just the one Lennox girl to recognize this painting", Mrs. Edwards said with a sweet smile as she squints to see Nalani's face more clearly. Nalani, with panic in her eyes as the old lady knew that she's a Lennox, pleaded her to keep her voice down with an awkward chuckle. Mrs. Edwards just gave her a little laugh and looked back at the painting.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" she said, her voice soft and knowing.

Nalani nodded, unable to tear her eyes away from the painting. "It's incredible," she breathed. "I've never seen anything like it"

Mrs. Edwards moved closer, tilting her head as she admired the artwork. "Ah, this is one of the oldest paintings we have here. It was done by a child prodigy many years ago. Quite a few people wanted to acquire it, but I was lucky enough to get my hands on it for the library."

Nalani turned to Mrs. Edwards, her curiosity piqued even more. "Who is the artist?"

Mrs. Edwards shook her head, her expression a mix of admiration and mystery. "That's the fascinating part, dear. No one knows. The artist never disclosed his identity to the media, and even now, their identity remains a mystery. The only clue we have is the initial 'T' with a dot, marked in the bottom right corner and that yes, it was a young boy, as they say"

Nalani leaned in, her eyes narrowing as she examined the small, subtle mark. "T." she whispered, intrigued by the enigma. "How could someone so talented remain anonymous?"

Mrs. Edwards smiled, a twinkle of amusement in her eyes. "Sometimes, artists prefer to let their work speak for itself, free from the influence of fame or recognition. This artist, whoever he is, certainly succeeded in creating something artistic and enthralling."

Nalani felt a surge of inspiration wash over her. "To think a child painted such a masterpiece", Nalani added, amazed by the painting.

 The anonymity of the artist, the raw emotion captured in the painting—it all resonated deeply with her. She thanked Mrs. Edwards and made her way back to her table, her mind swirling with thoughts.

As she sat down and opened one of the textbooks, she couldn't help but glance back at the painting. The mystery of the anonymous artist, the intensity of the painting—it all fueled her curiosity and inspiration. She realized that her own art didn't need to be perfect; it needed to be authentic, a true reflection of her heart and soul.

She set down the stack of textbooks and magazines she had collected and began to sift through them, eager to find more about her mother and anything that could spark her creativity. 

As she turned the pages of an old art magazine, her eyes widened in surprise. There, featured prominently on one of the pages, was the very painting that had captivated her in the library—a stunning piece of a gardenia. The article accompanying the image detailed the prodigious talent behind the artwork.

"The Gardenia by an Anonymous Child Prodigy," the headline read. Nalani leaned in, her heart racing as she read further. The article described how the painting had been created by a child prodigy who had taken the art world by storm fifteen years ago. At the tender age of five, this young artist had begun drawing, quickly developing a skill that was beyond his years. By the age of ten, he had produced The Gardenia, a piece that left audiences in awe.

The magazine was filled with articles and interviews from people who had witnessed the prodigy's early works. "We were all amazed by the depth of emotion and detail in his paintings," one art critic had said. "It was clear that this child was destined for greatness."

Nalani's mind raced. Fifteen years ago meant that the artist was only a year older than she was now. The thought of someone so young achieving such acclaim both inspired and intimidated her. She continued reading, discovering that despite the artist's ongoing success, his identity remained a mystery to this day. He continued to exhibit his work anonymously, signing his pieces only with the initial "T."

As she flipped through another recent magazine, an announcement caught her eye. "Upcoming Art Exhibit in Paris: Featuring the Works of the Mysterious Prodigy." The exhibit was set to showcase some of his most famous pieces from over the years, including some of his early works like The Gardenia.

Nalani's heart pounded with excitement. The thought of seeing more of this artist's work, perhaps even understanding the depth of his talent, filled her with a sense of purpose. She realized that this could be the key to unlocking her own creative block. If she could engross herself in the world of this enigmatic artist, perhaps she could find the inspiration she desperately needed for her final piece.

The article included details about the exhibit, which was to be held in Paris in just a few weeks. Nalani's mind began to race with possibilities. Could she somehow make it to Paris? Could she see these paintings in person and feel the emotion behind them? The idea seemed both daunting and exhilarating.

Determined, she made a note of the exhibit's dates and details. She knew she had to go. This wasn't just about seeing the paintings; it was about connecting with a kindred spirit, an artist who, like her, had poured his heart and soul into his work. She felt a surge of resolve. This trip could be exactly what she needed to break free from her creative chains and honor the legacy of her mother's artistry.

Nalani closed the magazines and textbooks, her mind set on the path ahead. She would go to Paris, see the exhibit, and let the mystery of the anonymous prodigy inspire her. With a renewed sense of purpose, she began to plan her journey, knowing that this adventure could change everything for her and her art. That night, she went to bed with a renewed sense of purpose, her dreams filled with vibrant colors and swirling emotions.

****

The next morning, Nalani arrived at school, her determination unwavering. She headed straight to the library, planning to borrow a few more books to keep her inspired and informed about her mother's techniques and other great artists. The quiet atmosphere of the library provided a welcome respite, and she quickly lost herself in the shelves, pulling out volumes that promised to fuel her creative fire.

As she was stacking the books on a table, Lena burst into the library, her usual energy and enthusiasm evident in her quick steps and bright eyes. "Nalani, there you are!" she exclaimed, rushing over.

Nalani looked up, surprised by her friend's urgency. "Lena, what's going on?"

Lena took a deep breath, clearly excited. "You won't believe it! Your uncle—your Dad's brother—is here at school. He's with the Department Chair and a few members of the board of trustees. They were having a meeting, and guess what? Your cousin, the handsome one, is here too. He's been looking for you! There's was a crowd as soon as he appeared by the gate"

"What?!", Nalani exclaimed as she almost dropped one of the books she was holding thinking, Why would they be here all of a sudden?