Strings and Schemes

Chapter 24

I swallow hard. "I don't want to be."

"Then don't be."

It's that simple. If I just choose it to be. I curl into his arms, exhausted in the best of ways.

"Do you want to move the bed back to your room before we fall asleep?" He asks quietly, curling around me.

I shake my head no, I want to have every experience I haven't been allowed to have with anyone, with him, right now.

We eventually leave the love-shack the next day, opting to grab a coffee and pastry and hike to Hyde park to hide in the corner and enjoy one another's company on a picnic blanket. Winter is over in England, and we will soon be experiencing whatever season the brits call summer.

We spend most of our day curled up on the picnic blanket, before we both depart, in opposite directions looking like complete strangers. Part of which makes me feel entirely uncomfortable with how easy it was for him to pretend like I meant nothing to him, the other, recognizes that he's simply following what I've asked for - the time to make decisions.

I open my email, checking to see if there's any information about graduation or any pressing matters from my professors as my final grades are rolling in to see an email:

"URGENT: EXHIBIT EXTENSION"

I click on the email from my professor, and it reads:

"Good morning Raina,

I wanted to offer my sincerest congratulations on your excellent art gallery last week. It was deeply moving, and we had many comment on the beauty and complexity of it. We even got a few requests for purchasing, which has never happened before for our sculpting students.

I was hoping you'd consider letting us port the exhibit to the Saatchi Gallery - they have expressed keen interest in housing your exhibit for the next six months, with the possibility of extension. Of course, you'd be handsomely paid for it, but we wanted to get your approval first so that we can get it ported immediately. We will bring in our legal to help support you and get the best contract.

Congratulations again,

Dr. Tekushka."

I smile at my phone, forgetting entirely that feeling of dread I felt not so long ago and I immediately dial Louis.

"Louis, you free right now?" I ask, "And actually, also is Liam free too? I need some help. Good help this time."

Louis agrees to meet me at my gallery and twenty minutes later he is walking through the door.

"Raina, my long lost friend," he laughs dramatically, "whatever do I owe this pleasure and honour?"

I laugh, "cut the crap, Lou. I know you just want the inside deets for my weekend."

He waggles his eye brows at me, "Oh god, I really really do."

Liam rolls his eyes, "Let them be, Louis."

I hug Liam warmly and turn to my gallery pieces.

"I actually have some news for you, not boy related, or parent related in the least."

"What is it?" Liam asks warmly, "Why are we standing in your gallery?"

I turn and grin at them, "I was offered a six month gallery at the Saatchi Gallery. With possibility of extension. And "handsome pay", to quote the email."

Louis and Liams jaws drop and they both run into hugging me, picking me up off the floor and spinning me around. "Raina, this is amazing news. Have you told anyone else yet?"