It was funny to see Mona Lisa in Kate's cartoon character pajamas. The T-shirt she wore fitted her better. It read "Princess". Neither could match her fame but "princess" fitted her best.
Kate liked having Mona Lisa around. It was like having a big sister. She braided Mona Lisa's dark hair carefully. Kate sensed that she was deep in thought. "I just wondered," Mona Lisa said. "Why did you choose to paint me?"
Kate was finished braiding. She looked at the braid with a smile of satisfaction. Now, it was Kate's turn. Mona Lisa braided her blonde locks while Kate thought about the question.
"Well, it was an assignment," said Kate, slowly. "I hated the idea of imitating a painter's work. Why couldn't we make our own? Since I had to find one, the art teacher had some art books. I looked through them and your picture caught my eye. I just thought you looked happy with life."
Mona Lisa was still braiding. "Why did you paint me with a frown for the first painting?"
Kate was surprised that she noticed that about her painting. She was a little embarrassed. "I guess I got a little annoyed with the assignment. I think I was thinking more of it as work than something to learn from and put my heart into."
"I wonder what would have happened if Leonardo da Vinci thought that way," said Mona Lisa.
Kate said, "I wonder… Well, I have learned a lot since then."
"So, have I, Kate," Mona Lisa replied. "Da Vinci would have found lots of Mona Lisa's to paint if he lived during this century. I know coming here was a surprise to all of us who know, but it has been an enjoyable surprise. I will miss it when I leave."
Kate was suddenly quiet. She felt sad by the thought that this adventure would end soon. Tomorrow they would try to send them back. Whether it would work or not, she didn't know, but she knew that things could be a lot different tomorrow.
Mona Lisa must have sensed the feeling too. She gave Kate a hug. There were no words. There didn't have to be. They were both thinking the same thoughts.
The paintings came to life for a reason.
Kate remembered that she had secretly wished her painting would come to life because she was lonely and wanted to meet Mona Lisa. Whether her wishes had any effect on what happened she really didn't know. What if all three of them had wished the paintings to life? Kate didn't want to ask the others. It really didn't matter, anyway.
Kate and her friends would never be the same. But, it was a good thing - very good. Their experiences had brought them together, and it was the first time in a long time, that Kate felt she belonged.
