The Fireman

I met Brad when I was in 10th grade. It was a Friday night in November. I was having Chelsee, and Jamie stay at my house that night. Chelsee was in the Band so she was playing at our football game that night since it was football season. We went and picked up Chelsee from Sparks Stadium and when we got home we tried to call her mom since she was supposed to call when she got there. Well there was something wrong with the phone. We checked outside and found out that the dog had tried to eat the cord. I lived next to a main street that has a gas station on it and a pay phone across the street. Chelsee, Jamie and I went to the gas station to get change for the phone. While in the gas station I see this guy walk in with these gorgeous eyes. he walked straight into the back room. I was confused. I had lived in the house next to the gas station since June and never saw him before. How could he work there. We got the change and walked out of the store. As we walked to the phone these guys in a Monte Carlo started talking to us. Normally I would walk right by since I get it ll the time in Tacoma, but I was with Chelsee and Jamie and they wanted to talk to the guys. we told them we had to make a call and that we would come back after we made it. So we did. when we got back to them the guy with the amazing eyes was sitting in the drivers seat. we talked for awhile then told them we had to go inside but we would come back out. Now like the 15 and 16 year old girls we were, as soon as we got in the house we couldn't stop talking about these guys that totally hit on us. My mom said it was ok if we went back outside to talk to them but to make it quick since we were going bowling. We invited them to join us if they wanted. The guys said they would try.

We went into the house and Chelsee and Jamie got all dressed up. I just wanted something that would look good with the black light, I wasn't over Anthony yet so I wasn't looking for a guy. We went bowling and pondered if they would show up. Finally they did. We started to get to know them. The guy with the eyes was Brad, his friends were Eddie, Ryan and Adrian. I thought Brad and Ryan were cute. Chelsee started liking Eddie and he started liking her. And Jamie like Brad and Ryan also. The guys has to leave but said they might come back. Well Brad came back by himself. The other guys wanted to go smoke. Chelsee, Jamie and I alternated on who sat by Brad as we bowled. Some other guys came in and started trying to get our attention by tossing things around and trying to look tough. Chelsee, Jamie and I tried to ignore them. At one point Brad walked up to my mom and said " Hi I am Brad, and I am not with those guys" It was so cute that he was trying to stay on my parents good side. We exchanged numbers and left to go home. That whole night all we could talk about was the guys.

The next day Brad and the guys went to met up with Chelsee, Jamie, and Mackenzie at Chelsee house. I would have been there but I lived in Tacoma and Chelsee lived in Spanaway. Jamie found out how old Brad was and decided that she liked Ryan, since it was illegal for her to date Brad. And Ryan like Jamie. Mackenzie was starting to like Brad, but Brad didn't like her. Chelsee called me that night after they left and explained that Mackenzie like Brad but the feeling weren't mutual. She thought that if I told Mackenzie that I liked him then it would be o.k. since I saw him first. I said that I would tell her i liked brad if she asked me. It wasn't a lie I did think he was a nice guy.

December 1st 2000. Tanya's Birthday Party. Chelsee was dating Eddie now, So Eddie and the guys came to Tanya's Party. Well I was supposed to act like I liked Brad but I was quite busy with the other guys. Brad didn't say anything to me so I didn't say anything to him. I had noticed him glancing at me though. I tried to pay no attention to it but he would stare for awhile. The Party was great I had a really fun time. After the party Chelsee, Eddie, Brad, Adrian, Mackenzie and I all went to Mackenzie's house. Eddie and Chelsee went to take a shower together. While the rest of us stayed downstairs. Brad was off by himself and I figured I might want to go talk to him since I was supposed to like him. Brad and I started talking and the more I talked to him the more I started to like him. We talked about how he was in training for firefighting at Bates, and that he worked at the Gas Station where I got off the bus to go home. I also found out that the people that lived across the street from him owned the two gas station By my house and he would help them out and work there when they needed him. So that explained why he walked right back to the room in the gas station. Well it got late and his best friend Brian was there then and ready to go back to Brad's house, so we walked the boys out to there cars. Chelsee and Eddie made out for awhile and Brad hugged both Mackenzie and I. So I was still not sure if he liked me.

Brad and I started talking on the phone and he told me that he worked at the gas station next to me during that summer, and that he would watch me when I did the laundry and went outside. He totally had a crush on me during the summer. One night we talked for 2 hours straight. Chelsee, Eddie, Brad and I would all go out during the weekends. The more time I spent with Brad the more I liked him.

December 8 2000. Eddie and Brad came over to watch movies with Chelsee and I. We walked them out when the movies were over. It was really cold so Chelsee and eddie were in her quillow and Brad and I in mine. We were hugging while Chelsee and Eddie were making out, I looked up at Brad and thought I want to kiss you and at that very moment I did. I actually made the first move. I had never really made the first move.

So now we were actually dating. For Christmas he goes to Oregon. So we exchanged gifts the night before he left. I got him an Eddie Bauer long sleeve shirt. He got me a gift set from bath And Body works. It was really nice, it came in this carry case thing that matched my blue jacket. I had never really saw anything that matched the jacket except for other jackets. I talked to him everyday he was gone. The minute he got home he came to my house. We spent every minute he wasn't working together. the day Brad got back was Chelsee's Birthday Dec 26th,So we all were going to go to a Movie and the mall or something like that. Eddie was supposed to come with Chelsee Brad and I, but he is an ass and ended up standing Chelsee up on her Birthday. Seriously what kind of boyfriend does that. Well brad Chelsee and I went to the mall and Movies anyways. That was the first day I tried dipping dots. the movie we saw was Dracula 2000. It was pretty good. Brad took us back to Chelsee's and then came and got us the next morning. we went to the mall. And took pictures at those photo booths. It was the first picture Brad and I took together. After the Mall he took Chelsee home and then we went to my house

New Years Eve Chelsee and I had a little gathering at her house and her older brother Jake also had friends over. Brad and I were there together and his best friend Brian and his girlfriend Jennette. And Chris and Tara also came with Brad. Chelsee and Eddie, were not dating anymore. So she was there by herself. brad asked he if he could go get Anthony his friend but Chelsee had already met hum and didn't want him there. Chelsee and Anthony started talking on the phone and she decided that she had made a mistake and she should have let Brad go get him. Chelsee and I went up to Brad and wanted to know if we could have his keys to his car. He was very hesitant. but gave in Chelsee and I had medical tape and a marker. We put tape all over the car, on the tape we wrote I love you. And Dez and Brad and little corny thins like that. After we were done we went and got him and his friends also came. His friends probably thought that I was quite young at that moment. I didn't care. I told Brad we would take it off if he didn't want it on there. he was fine with it there. Brad was my Last kiss for 2000 and my first kiss for 2001. He stayed the night and we slept on the floor in the living room. That next morning we went to his house and watched the Rose Bowl.

Feb 5th 2001 My Birthday. Brad picked me up after school and we went to my house. He said Happy Birthday but didn't have anything for me. At one moment he just got up went out to his car. And said that he had my present. Now He didn't have anything in his hands so I was a little confused how he had my present. Then he reached into his pocket and pulled out a jewelry box. No it wasn't a ring. I opened it and in the box was a heart shaped locket. It was so nice the chain was so little and delicate.

Two days before valentines day. I had realize about two weeks before that all though I didn't want to I did fall in love with Brad. He would saw that he loved me but I had always said to him that I didn't love him, and that I didn't want to. Since I always got hurt when I fell in love. well I decided that I would tell him I loved him on Valentines day. Well I couldn't wait. I was laying next to him and I said guess what? Like I always did I would usually say "I don't know" or something like that but this time when he said "what" I said "I love you" He was all like really. It was so cute.

Valentines Day 2001 I walked out of school like I always did, And there was Brad's car He was standing next to it and my brother was already in the back seat. When I went to get in I looked at my seat and there was all this stuff. Brad got me a Teddy Bear with a little poem on it. He also got me a rose. a chocolate rose and a card that was really cute. we went out to dinner that night.

March 12 2001Brad birthday. Brian came down to celebrate Brad Birthday. We went to Red Robin and had a really good time. Brad had two Birthday dinners, for the second we went to Mazatlan and Brad took one of those pictures with a sombrero on it was great. That was during the weekend.

May 13 2001 Brad and I had been arguing a lot. Usually over stupid things. I guess Brad was tired of all it, He broke up with me. It was on Mother's Day, After I had just been out with him and his family for dinner. we were in his car and he told me that we needed to take a break. Oh My Gosh I hate those words. The next day was monday so I had to go to school. I went to school, and on the way home I got really thirsty. I decided to stop at the gas station that Brad worked at if I didn't see his car. Now if i did then I was going to walk the mile to my house and buy a soda from the gas station next to my house. Well I got off the bus and looked around I didn't see his car so I went in. I opened the door and there he was, Working the counter usually he works on the cars, I guess they needed him in the store. I put my soda down and he asked me if I needed anything else I said a million dollars we laughed I grabbed my soda and left. I thought I was going to die if I would have stayed in there any longer. I walked home and and just wished I would have waited to get the soda. I wished I would have seen his car, or anything would have been different and I wouldn't have had to see him. He called me the next day and we talked. He said he was going to come over on wednesday. Which would have been our 5 month anniversary. Brad did come over, we talked and I walked him out a little before nine which was my curfew to be in the house. Well we talked more while we were outside and one thing lead to another and he asked me out again. he then tried to kiss me, I pushed him away and asked him what type of girl did he take me for kissing minutes after him asking me out. It was great. I ended up staying outside with him until 10:00 and got in trouble with my mom. which at that time really didn't matter since I was in his arms most of the time I was supposed to be inside.

June 29 2001 Jennett's Birthday. For Jennett's birthday her parent said she could go camping and that there could be boys there. It was her 18th birthday so her Parents were ok with her going with guys. Brad, and Brian were in the truck and Jennette drove Jenny, her friend and I in Brian's Blazer. We got to the camp site and set up. although it was pretty hott, the campsite we were at was all covered with trees and made it very cold. So there we were all huddled around the fire with sweatshirts on. We were gone camping from Saturday until Monday. there were times we fought and times we were happy. When I was around Jennette and she was mean to Brain I would also be mean to Brad. I still don't know why I acted different around her but I did. Which was kind of weird since when Brad was around Brian he acted different also. the guys were being total ass's that weekend. At one moment jennette and the other girls and I all set up my tent and told the guys we were going to sleep in that tent instead of with them. we had Brad's phone and called a friend of the girls and told her what was going on and that the night before while we were sleeping a raccoon ate our smores stuff and some chips and whatnot. We tried to get her to come see us and bring what we needed. she said she couldn't so we all went to the store. Brad and I made up and so did Jennette and Brian. We left the site on Monday morning. all of us went home, and showered since we didn't have a shower there that we wanted to use.

The summer went by and we spent a lot of time together. School started again, and I was faced with the fact that I could be homeless any day. All of my life's stresses started to take there toll. Brad has had a pretty sheltered life and it was getting to hard for him to listen to what I was going thru and he didn't know what to do or say. he actually asked me to not talk about what was going on at home and whatnot.

Thanksgiving 2001 Brad went to Oregon I was invited to go with but I had to go with my family to my grandmas house. I got money from my family to take a grey hound bus to Portland and have Brads Parents pick me up. Since he was going to be busy out with his cousins doing there tradition of going out to the movies. Well I got off the bus and looked around, I couldn't see his parents So I went into the bus station and as I walked in I saw him. It was so great to see him. We spent the weekend together and we went home on Sunday.

December 16 2001 Our One Year Anniversary. I had a huge project due the next day so I spent most of our anniversary in his dads office typing and looking up info. The day could have been so much better. I don't think Brad was really upset about it he probably didn't want to do anything extravagant anyways. I finally got done. It was pretty late, so we called my mom and made sure it was ok that I stayed out late so I could go to dinner with Brad. We went to Red Robin, which was cute since a year ago that's where we went. While we were at dinner some how we got to talking about paying and I told him I would pay for it and he was like with what? So I said my good looks. He tried to say something but I was like don't even say anything mean, he then told me that he was going to say that I could bu the whole place with my good looks. That was the sweetest thing he had ever said to me. That night turned out to be really great.

Christmas 2001 Like any other year Brad went to Oregon and I had to say home. He gave me my presents the night before he left. His Parents had a whole pile for me. One of the things I received where 60 pens, so I had Brad write me a letter. and in it he put that no matter what when I moved we would work things out.

New Years Eve Brad went to the Fire station and I went to his parents house. He wanted to work on New Years Eve since He would get a lot of calls. I was so hurt but understood since it was his job and he really wanted it. He called at midnight and I was out around the block celebrating the New Year. He was so annoyed I wasn't there so he could talk to me. He came home the next morning after his shift and we watched the Rose Bowl.

I moved about one week into January to Renton. Brad and I talked but not to much. The weekend after my birthday was Brads Fireman Party. I went with him to that and we rented a Jacuzzi suite so we could be alone after it. Since I couldn't spend the night with boys until I was 18. That weekend was so great. We didn't argue. The whole time we were happy. He bought me roses, only because I made him. Brad was never a romantic guy. But I loved him anyways.

Valentines Day The only phone service we could have in our area was quest, well they really such. Our phones where messes up for a week. One of the days the phones didn't work was Valentines day. So I was alone on Valentines Day and I couldn't talk to Brad. That had to be the worst valentines I had had at that time.

Feb 21 2002 One week from Valentines Day. He broke up with me. He didn't have enough time to see me or talk to me and didn't think it was fair to put me thru this. So he ended it. I was so upset. I was left now in Renton with no friends to talk to since I couldn't call anyone and now I was alone. Single for the first time in over a year. I was going thru the hardest time in my life and now I was with out Brad. And Brad knew what he was doing. He knew I was doing terrible and needed him more then ever.

A week before his Birthday. He came to see me at my dads in seattle after staying at Brian's for the weekend. The week before that we didn't have to much of any food so I let everyone else eat before I did. I lost 15 pounds in a week. So when Brad saw me he was amazed. I was just about the same size as I was before I started dating him. while dating Brad he and his family went out to dinner a lot and if we didn't go out to dinner with then we would eat fast food so I gained weight while dating him. Although it wasn't healthy the way I lost the weight I was happy to be down to almost my old size. Just about half way between the time he was at my house we started to wrestle. I was so happy. I walked him out to his car and we kissed a bunch, he was so amazed how great I looked. He couldn't stop saying how beautiful I was.

Brad and I didn't talk to often. I went to Chelsee's for Spring Break and I had a party with all my close friends and brad and Anthony showed up for like 30 minutes. The day after the party I was supposed to have a day with brad and I by ourselves. But Anthony was going to be in town staying with Brad so I spent the next day with Brad and Anthony. Brad came and got me after a search and rescue meeting which was pretty early. So when we got to his house Anthony was still sleeping. Brad and I were watching T.V. in the front room and he started holding my hand and trying to kiss me. It was so cute. After awhile we decided we should wake up Anthony and go get something to eat. Since I wasn't Brad Girlfriend anymore I had to call out shot gun to sit in front. Now I really didn't like this since from the day I met him I have always sat in the front unless I wanted to give the seat up. It was my seat. The whole time Anthony was around he was acting like he liked me more then Brad did. He was the one waiting for me to get out of the car and he was the one opening the doors for me. When I was upset Anthony was the one to ask what was wrong. It was like Brad didn't want anyone to know he still had feelings for me. Brad and Anthony took me back to met up with Chelsee. and he said he would take me home on Monday. Monday came around and when he got there I started to pack my stuff into his car and all he did was sit there. He didn't offer to help me at all. We went back to his house so he could sleep. His parent were still there when we got there so I talked to them until they left. I watched movies while Brad slept. I went in to wake him up like he asked me to and we started to talk and I told him how much of an ass he had been that week. And asked him if he was ashamed that he still liked me. He looked at me as if I was crazy for talking in that way. He took me home and I couldn't get into the house so we went out to lunch at Taco time. Then he helped me get my things up to the apartment and left.

Again we didn't talk for a while. He called me up one morning and said he was going to stop by so I got up showered and got ready to see him. Brad had just bought a brand new Ford F150 so he had to show it off to me. He stayed for awhile. Brad took me out to Starbucks. After that he took me to school then went back home.

I had talked to him a little over the next two months. At the end of May my mom, dirk and I moved in with My dad In seattle. One day Brad calls me and asks if I want to see him. Now of course I say yes so he comes and gets me and takes me back to his house for about three hours and then takes me back to Seattle.

August 2002 He calls me the sunday before I was going to Pullman to visit this guy I liked. I answer the phone and he tells me that he is so stupid. and all this stuff about how much he loves me. He also admitted that he was such a jerk while we dated and most of the arguing we did was his fault.This was really hard to believe. He told me he wanted to see me. I was watching Katie's house while Tim was at work. So I told him he could come over there and see me. I was walking a lot more now and lost weight and was tan so he was all over me again. we spent the whole time together. We decided I was going to go home with him and he would take me back to Katie's the next morning. After Tim got there we left and went to my house so I could grab clothes. We went out to his friends house (Steve) who I had never met. The guys seamed cool. When they asked who I was and Brad said his Ex Desiree they all about died. They looked at me and looked at him and didn't see why I would ever date him. See Brad was not the coolest guy ever. So when I would introduce him as my boyfriend people would get all sorts of confused. So we were used to this look. We helped Steve move a pool table and spent almost the whole night there.While we were there Tim and Tamika came over with Alex there baby. I ha not seen him yet so I was quite happy to hear they were on there way. Well When they got there they didn't even notice me. They told me that I was looking amazing. Tim also said that Brad needed to get back together with me so I can come see them more often. It was so great for someone to say that. After that we went back to Brads and went to sleep. He took me home the next morning and told me he wanted to see me when I got back from Pullman

I went to Pullman and got back that Sunday and Brad came to see me on that Monday. I had a tent so we decided to sleep in it instead of the house since we had to air it out anyways. While we were setting up te tent Brads mom called. Now she was not O.K. with Brad staying at my house. She got all up set and Brad just stood there and said Mom I love Desiree and I am going to marry her one day, so I don't care what you think I should be doing. I thought I was going to die. He had always told me that he stood up for me in front of his mom but I had never seen it. I knew then that all the things he was saying were the truth.

October 2002 Brad had to go in for surgery to get all four of his wisdom teeth pulled. the surgery was going to be difficult since Brads teeth were in his Sinuses. He called me to see if I would come and take care of him while he was home, since I had already been there for him when he was in his last surgery. Now of course I am all about spending a week with him. So I asked my Teacher if it was ok that I don't come in that week for class and it was fine with her. Brad came and got me and when it came time for is surgery his dad drove him and we waited for Brad to get done. Brad was done and we went togo get the car ready and Brad was walked out to the car. He looked so out of it. He was talking nonsense it was funny. We got him home and put him in bed. While I was laying with him he started saying how grateful he was to have me there and that he really appreciated it. He was being so cute. telling m he loved me and all this stuff. He slept most of the day. His Parent had to go to Oregon for some family issues. So most of the time It was just me there watching him. His sister Cheryl was there during the weekend. So she would take me to the store and get everything he needed. Brad took me home when he was able to drive again

December 19 2002 My graduation. Brad had not talked to me since he took me home after his surgery. And I was about feed up with all the shit he put me through. So I was almost dating this other guy Ryan. I went to the Bathroom right before the ceremony was to start and while walking back to the room I saw my dad and what looked like Brian. It was Brian I stopped my dad and Brian turned around and then my mom and Brad turned around and Brad had a bouquet of flowers for me. It was so cute. The reason why he hadn't told me he was coming was he wanted to surprise me. yet he still could have called me in November to say Hi. After Graduation we all went to my house and After everyone else left Brian, Brad and I went out. The three of us went to Dicks, and Searched for a friend of my dads Bobby's house in Issaquah, and I went to Crispy Creams for the first time. I had a really great night. It turned out a lot better then I thought. If Brad wouldn't have been there I would have been so sad and I would have ended up staying home doing nothing. It meant a lot to have him there.

January 2003 Chelsee was having a party for her Birthday. So I went out there. And I called Brad to tell him I was at her house. Well about 11-12 I am not sure what time exactly. There is a knock at the door and I can't see who it is. He has a hat on and a sweatshirt. He walks in and its Brad. Now you I am sitting by Ryan the guy I liked before but I did tell him I didn't want to date him. I am sitting there wondering what I can say to get him outside to talk and not make it obvious that ti want him to take me home. And then it happened he says he saw Chelsee's dad the other day. Chelsee's dad had moved out or was in te process of moving out, so I was like ohh yah Brad can I talk to you about that outside. We go outside and talk and I ask him to take me home, well I guess on his way to Chelsee's he was trying to figure out how he could get me to leave. Therefore this was great. So Chelsee came out and I told her Brad was going to take me home and I grabbed my stuff and he took me with him back to Tim and Tamikas where he was living. There were excited to see me. tamika and I were talking and she wanted to know why I wasn't back in Tacoma yet? I told her it was because I didn't have a place to stay. She said you can stay in the Spare room (which was wear Brad was living) I said that I didn't think Brad would like me living there with him and she was like he can move back in with him mom. It was so funny. We watched Barbershop and went to bed. The next day he took me home and was supposed to leave short after but ended up taking me to my cousins wedding reception and staying at my house for awhile. That night he told me that he wanted to Marry me and he was working towards getting a place so we could be together.

Feb 22 2003 one day after our one year anniversary of us breaking up. Katie her mom and I went to Oregon to look at some Colleges and on our way home we stopped by to see Brad. He wasn't at his Parents. When I walked in the house Brads mom got up and hugged me it was nice. She called Tim and Tamikas and Brad ended up meeting me at A&W restaurant. We pulled in at the same time as him and when I went to his truck and he told me to get in we needed to talk. I was like ok. I told Katie and Jann to go inside and we would be in. I figured he was going o be like I a so stupid and all this stuff like her always says when he hasn't talked to me for awhile. We talk and I end up saying what do you have girlfriend? and he said kind of. I could have died. I found out the girl was jennifer the one girl he loved before me. She never gave him a chance what was different. We left and I was so sad.

March 2003 I stayed at Brads mom's house one night with katie we had no place else to go. That next day she slipped and said something about Jennifer having a baby and using Brad to take care of her, because the babies dad left her. I was like WHAT!!! She thought Brad had told me. Now it mad sense why she was wasting anytime on him. She no one else. I wrote Brad a letter telling him I was through with all of this and that he had one month to decide what was going on. I sent it out on his Birthday and he got it the next day.

April 2003 2:00 in the morning the phone rings. My dad brings it in to me I say hello and he says "I sorry I have been such a jerk" I was speechless, now this doesn't happen to often. It had almost been a month since I wrote the letter. We talked for quite a while. we started talking almost everyday after that.

May 2003 He invited me to go camping with him and I went. It started out bad he was ignoring me but i did get close with Crystal tim's daughter. The last night we were out there found out what he was wrong with him. He had a secret and hadn't told me and was trying to hide it from me. Now since I don't know who else will read this I am not going to get into what the secret was. He took me home the next day and promised to call me. The next day I called him and he was at work. He got a call of some sort and the radio wasn't working so he told me he would call me back.

July 2003 Well the last day I was in L.A. Brad called my house and told my mom that while he was on a call the persons stairs broke and he was hurt. He hurt his knee and hip and was walking with a cane. I got home and my mom told me the news.

August 2003The next weekend I went to Tacoma and we stopped by Brads but he wasn't home. Well when we went home and I was pulling up to my house I noticed Brads truck. I couldn't believe it I stopped at his house an he stopped at mine. We must have been thinking of each other. He stayed for a couple hours.

September 2003 I was in Tacoma So I stopped in at his house and he was there. He was having a party and invited us o stay but I had to go to another friends. I told him we might come back. Well a couple hours later I did stop by, by this time he thought I wasn't coming so he was quite happy. I stayed the night and had a really great time. Laying there in his arms was so great. I feel so at home with him.

Well It has been almost a year since I wrote about Brad. The last time I saw him I pretty much gave up on him. I decided I wanted to be with Anthony. So I let go of everything with Brad. I was tired of waiting for someone that was only wanting to be with me later. From the day I told him I was going to be with Anthony he changed. He wen back to the Brad I used to love. But by then it was to late. Brad has lost me. More then Likely forever. The minute I wasn't going to be waiting around for him anymore he decided he wanted to be with me. It's annoying how people are like that. Now he says he was stupid and he has screwed up so much. Brad is now the Brad I wanted to marry. But you see I don't want him anymore. It is so great to say that. I held on for so long. I thought one day he would realize what he lost and want it back. But finally I was able to let go.

I will always love Brad. And when I talk to him and see how much pain he is I still hurt. But I know Anthony will treat me so much better. A person needs to be with someone who will love them as much as you love them. Well Anthony is that for me. I am sure no one can love me as much as I love them but Anthony get the closest. I hope that Brad and I can still be friends. All I want to say to him is don't let this happen again. If you love somebody tell them. Dont just assume that they will wait forever. Brad I will always think of you ans there will still be a place for you in my heart.