Flipped: Back Again (L.T. Sequel to Flipped)

Chapter 2: The Art Show

Its been a hectic day. While Eleanor's been prancing around, excited to attend the art show tonight, I've been sweating trying to make sure everything's arranged. On top of my normal workload, this has been stressing me out more than I'd like to admit. I still have no idea how I'm going to propose and its only a couple of hours away. Right now I'm just fidgeting around at my home desk, a bloody mess, as I run back over the details with the show coordinator, Yvette, over the phone.

"So, clarify this for me one last time," I hear her sigh on the other line. I've made her repeat the plan at least thirty times but I need to make sure its perfect. "We arrive at eight, then.." I begun writing notes on my little pad.

"You will be escorted around the galley for at least an hour to observe the art. Then you will be guided to the select artist's exhibit you've chosen where everything is set up-"

"Whats the artist name again?"

"Um..Miss Annette."

Annette shows El pictures, I write down in my notes. "Alright then, next is?"

"After you've had a chance to observe the art, we begin the music and call attention to the scene. Ms. Annette will then distract her and act confused. You get down on one knee and as everyone gasps," she fakes a quick gasp on the phone, "she'll turn around and you'll deliver the line.."

"Out all the pieces at this show, you are the most valuable work of art I've ever laid eyes on. Will you do me the pleasure of becoming my bride and finishing my picture."

"Yes. Then bam, we pop champagne, everybody cheers, etc." she adds dryly.

"So I should use that line then, yeah?" I ask frantically. "Or is that too dramatic. Dammit, she'll know I didn't write this shit."

"Mr. Tomlinson, I'm sure she'll be happy with anything you come up." Her robotic voice tries to reassure me but she only sounds like another machine. If she wasn't so damn good at organizing, I'd find another coordinator who could actually help me with this; one that had a soul preferably.

"Alright, thank you." I say quickly and hang up the phone. Now on to the next thing on my agenda.

...

My phone buzzes in the passenger seat while I drive through downtown London. I scramble around to pick it up and smile at the name on the screen.

"Hello, love. What up?"

Girlish screams and laughter sound from the other line. Eleanor's little ballerinas must be at it again, trying to tear up the place.

"Oh Louis, thank god.." She exhausts. "Would you mind comin' to the studio to pick me up?"

"In distress ma'lady?"

"Very much." She sighs.

"Then I will be there as soon as I can."

"What would I do without you.." She says sweetly through the phone.

"Well, you'd be stranded." I say comically and I'm awarded with one of Eleanor's classic snorts. I love catching her off guard like that. "I'll be there in a bit, babe."

"Alright, thank you."

"And El?"

"Yes?"

"Happy Anniversary."

It doesn't take me long to switch lanes and head to Eleanor's studio. When I get there, shes waiting outside with her bag and still changed into her dance clothes. She looks relieved when I pull up at the curb and meet her. Her arms engulf me in grand hug like I'd saved her life and she relaxes into my arms. I grab her bags and lead her to the car before throwing the duffle in the boot and jogging to the front.