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

Chapter 3: Deja-Vu

As I much as I hate to admit it, the gallery is beautiful. From the lighting, to the art pieces, its simply stunning and I'm genuinely impressed by it all. Eleanor couldn't be more happy to be here. Her face shows it all. Shes glowing and her smile is wide as ever as she takes in the surrounding. I give her hand a squeeze and she squeals with excitement, grabbing my arm and dragging me to the first exhibit.

People everywhere are dressed in fine clothing, wearing flamboyant and risqué gowns to seem artsy or eccentric like the pictures around them. Even some of the men have on quaint attire, resembling peacocks. I chose to not be so flamboyant and stick with the classic black and white in a chic blazer. Eleanor has on a trendy jumpsuit that suits her long figure nicely. Her hair is in a tousle of curls and even around this crowd, she is still the most elegant in the room.

"Look at this Louis.." She says in awe. "Have you ever seen something so beautiful."

"Much more." I say matter of factly. She blushes and turns away, admiring the paintings.

"Excuse me, Mr. Tomlinson?" A man dressed in all black approaches me. He's an older gentlemen with grey hair rimmed around his scalp. His voice is very low, thick with his northern accent. "My name is Gerald, I'll be takin' you 'round this evening."

Ah, this must be the escort. I reluctantly pull Eleanor away to point her in a new direction. She looks confused as to why she cant venture around freely. I explain that I arranged for someone to escort us so we'd be more informed about the art we were observing. She seemed to buy it and went along with the private tour.

While shes occupied with new works, Gerald slips a note in my pocket. I quickly skim over it. Giving him a curt nod, I excuse myself for a moment. Eleanor just waves me off, too distracted by more pictures. I slip through the crowd of people to the designated spot. The letter says, 'Section 12'. I assume its Yvette with some last minute problem. I swear if shes screwed this shit up I'm firing her on the spot!

I make my way to that particular part of the galley. Its on the second floor and I can clearly see Eleanor below, gossiping with some friends shes found along her tour.

"Oh, pardon." I accidentally bumped shoulders with someone. Its odd. When I touched them to move, my hand felt hot, like they'd burn me. I try to catch the mystery person but with so many people moving about, I don't know who it might've been. Probably some sweaty guy overheated by the immense lighting. Regardless, I keep going to find Yvette. Shes over by a refreshment table and singles me over.

"Thank goodness, you've made it." She sighs relieved.

"Of course I did. I cant really miss my own engagement." I whisper harshly.

"Not having a very good night, are we."

"Not the time." I clip. "Now why did you summon me up here?"

Her smart mouth quickly shuts itself as her eyes begin dodging mine. "We've got a small problem.."

"What is this small problem?"

She lets out a nervous laugh. "Well, Mr. Tomlinson, it seems as though the artist isn't exactly willing to participate." Yvette scans my face looking for any sort of response.

"What do you mean 'not willing'?" I finally say after a pause.

"As in, she doesn't care to help with any sort of engagement. Her exact words were," she lets out a small giggle, "my work wasn't meant for happy endings. Come back when they get a divroce."

"So, let me get this straight..." I put my hands together, resting them just under my chin as close my eyes, trying to restrain my temper. "Out of all the artists here, you chose to risk my engagement on some diva who thinks her piece of shit art cant be used for a minute- not even for this."