meet me at midnight.

25.

I finished the final painting and it went up alongside my other two. Seeing the gallery once all the art pieces were in there was amazing. Things seemed to be going better with the cameras after Lionel destroyed that one. The footage from it was salvageable and emailed to Officer Sonia. It clearly showed Lionel damaging it, and since then he hadn't been sighted.

At the end of July, I was so excited for the gallery showing. I went to college on Friday to help set things up. Later that evening, our guests and the New York Gallery curators would be here. The next week, the gallery would be open to other students so they could view it.

Then Kirk and I's pieces would be moved to The Met. I sat in the canteen, sipping coffee when Kirk walked over. He smiled brightly. He'd tied his curls back and sat down.

"This is so exciting." He grinned.

"I know," I giggled. "I never got the chance to congratulate you."

"Daisy, that's so sweet of you," He said. "I should also extend that congratulations to you too. To our victory."

He raised his water bottle and I raised my coffee cup. He took a sip of his water.

"Your guitar sculpture is amazing." I said.

"Thank you once again. You'll inflate my ego," He said. "It took five hours to build it, had to create a wire base for it."

"Am I ok to take a picture of it?" I asked, then added. "I'll tag you."

"Yeah, for sure," Kirk grinned, pulling out his phone. "Share your Instagram handle with me and I'll follow you. Can I also take a picture of that badass fallen angel?"

"Y-you can," I smiled. "It's my boyfriend; the painting is of him."

"Really?" Kirk chuckled. "Good looking, dude. Those wings rock."

"I got the inspiration from The Fallen Angel." I said.

"I've seen that," He said. "There's nothing better than an homage, really pays tribute and keeps art alive."

Our talk was interrupted by Taylor walking over. Kirk went quiet and so did I. She glanced at him, freezing me out.

"Wow, Kirk, making friends with invisible girl." she smirked.

"Jealousy, Tay," Kirk said. "Not a good look."

"Whatever," She sneered, then looked at me. "Fixed my roots, Daisy. Tell your dick of a boyfriend that."

She stormed off and Kirk looked at me. I felt my face turn bright red.

"Josh made fun of her hair when she was gossiping about us." I said.

"Well she does kinda make fun of everyone behind their backs," Kirk said. "She made fun of me when we were in high school. I had braces and she just wouldn't stop."

I'd had no idea they'd gone to the same high school. He looked forlorn for a minute as though remembering it hurt.

"I got bullied in high school too." I said, and he managed a smile.

"Sucks, doesn't it? She and her friends stole my clothes after gym," He said. "James found them by the bleachers."

"I'm sorry, Kirk." I said.

"It's cool," He said. "I matured and she didn't. Can't wait to meet Josh. He sounds like a blast."

"You will tonight," I said. "As well as my friends."

"This isn't too forward, I hope, but can I see photos of them so I'm not blindsided." He asked.

I brought up my Instagram, showing him Desiree and Theo first. The photo was of them on their vacation, hugging and then one of them blowing kisses at each other.