Loving Your Imperfections

The Gala

Mia

This week went by quickly. I've been thinking hard about what to paint and have come up with nothing. I have drawn out nearly a dozen ideas, but nothing is concrete.

On the bright side, I decided to take up Mrs. Mitchell's request and donated my art piece. Nate also donated an art piece, but Rainey decided not to donate. One, because the art piece the teacher wanted was already sold, and two, because most of her pieces were still back in California. Plus, her mom had already donated a great piece for the gala, which also works in her name.

Unlike my genre of art, which I mainly paint in fauvism but love pop art and rococo, Nate is more of a still life and expressionist portrait painter. I can't wait to see what piece he donated.

As for Rainey, she has the ability to do everything. She is good at painting scenes and portraits, but what I love is that her style has the whole Frida Kahlo vibe to it. She mixes her styles between surrealism and cubism, self-portraits with modern art, and so on. No wonder Mrs. Mitchell wanted her to convince Raine to donate one of her pieces.

Tonight is the gala night, and the girls and I decided to get ready together. Steven paid so we could all get a facial and have our hair and makeup done.

I went with loose curls, my hair clipped on one side, exposing my left ear with a small broach of pink and grey pearls. My makeup is very neutral, with soft eyeliner and a very light pink shimmer on the eyelids.

I wore a light blue dress, a puffed skirt that went a little over my knees, and a sleeveless heart-shaped top. I finished my look with color-matching shoes and a small handbag.

I won't lie to you, I was very nervous. It won't be the first time I go to the gala, but it will be the first time    I attend as a guest rather than to serve.

"Girls, the boys are here," Steven called from downstairs, making my eyes widen and my stomach flutter.

We made our way, and I couldn't help but smile as I saw Nate. He looked dashingly sexy in a black tuxedo with a button-up and tie matching my dress. His hair was slick back and to one side, giving him a clean look.

I couldn't help but feel the butterflies in my stomach as I took my last step, locking eyes with him.

"You look beautiful," he whispers, lightly wrapping his right hand around my waist and kissing my lips softly.

"Thank you. You look handsome as well." I say, feeling my cheeks blush.

Before I knew it, we were at the gala's doors. Nate's grandpa's vineyard had been transformed into a grand ballroom. Beautiful flower decorations were everywhere, and candles lit the halls and tables, giving the event a warm but luxurious feel. 

But as I went in with Nate holding my hand, I couldn't help but feel eyes on me. Andrea and her friends also wore expensive dresses; most had their hair pinned up neatly in buns with smokey eye makeup.

Their lips are dark-tinted, making them easily pass for college girls if I didn't know them. I'm not going to lie; they looked very pretty and sophisticated.

Andrea clenched her jaw the moment she and I exchanged looks, and I could see two of her friends roll their eyes in disgust, making me feel awkward.

"Well, well, well... look who finally arrived. It's handsome... and the beast!" Andrea says as she stands in front of us, holding a flute of bubbly, eyeing me from head to toe.

I sigh, not wanting to engage in a quarrel with her in front of everyone. "Andrea, don't start. This is not the place."

"On the contrary, Nate. This is the perfect time. Mia, I didn't think you'd have the guts to show up. Given you... don't have any money to spend here. Did you come just to get free drinks and out?" Andrea says, making Nate's hands fist.

"Andrea, I'm warming you."

"Oh, come on, Nate. You know Andrea is right. Why else would she come? She doesn't have any money to offer in the auctions, and I doubt she has enough prestige to donate, so why else would she be here?" a friend of Andrea's says, making me gulp in pride as I bite the inside of my cheek.

"For your information," Nate says, but I tug on his hand, not wanting to reveal that I have an art piece to auction.

"Mia is my date. And I will buy anything she wants. But, unlike you, who freeloads off Daddy, Mia has money because she is a hard worker. Regardless, she doesn't need to spend her money; I will buy her anything she wants," Nate says, stuning the girl.

"You-"

"I'd be careful with your words—all of you. Don't forget this is a private gala my family and friends held to help my father's law firm raise for our schools. So unless you want to get kicked out and humiliated in front of everyone, I suggest you behave." Nate says proudly, allowing me to loop my hand around his arm.

"Now, if you'll excuse us, we have matters to attend. Come, darling." Nate adds, making me feel flustered as he pulls me away.

"Rrrhhh!" I hear Andrea stomp angrily, pouring the rest of her drink on the floor.

"That was hot, Mr. Spencer," I whisper, making him chuckle as we walk away.

"I hate when they act all snobby. I'm glad I shut their mouth even for just a minute," he says, making me chuckle.

I have to admit; the gala felt different when you attended as a guest rather than running from one end of the kitchen to the other and tending to guests all night. I liked it, especially after Nate began introducing me to distant family members and friends.

"Attention everyone. The auction will begin in just a few more minutes. Please begin to make your way to the auction rooms. This year, we will not hold a silent auction; we will be betting on each item, with the highest bidder taking the price. The doors are now open. Please make your way to take your seats, which will be labeled in your invitation accordingly. Thank you," Mr. Pascal announced and slowly placed the microphone down.

We made our way to the grand room, where easily a hundred chairs were lined up, almost like a movie theater.

"Where are we sitting?" I asked, feeling nervous.

"Up front, come on. Next to my parents." Nate says, making my eyes widen.

"Wait, what?"

"You've donated a big piece that my mom has been trying to get her hands on for the last three weeks, so she wants to ensure you had good seats. Now, come on. Mom is already waiting," he says as he holds my hand and pulls me toward them.

"Hi, guys. Come, take a seat." Sophie says as she stands up, hugs us, and pulls my hand away from Nate, pulling me with her to the seat next to her.

She hands me a number, making me look at her confused. "Oh, I... I don't think I'll be buying anything,"

"Nonsense. Your art piece starts at twenty grand, and that's the money you'll be cashing in regardless of what it sells for, so as far as I know, you have twenty grand to spend," she says, making my eyes widen in shock.

I look at Nate with mouth agape while he grins. "Really?"

"Really!" she says. Dumbfounded, I sit in my seat and puff my cheeks, making her chuckle.

This is unreal. I mean, the town we live in is small, and it's mainly farm life, but many of the folks here travel daily to big corporations and are very successful. So, it doesn't surprise me that many attending the auction gala are wealthy tycoons. Though, I doubt there's anything that I'd want to buy. If Sophie is right, and I'm really getting twenty grand, I could make great use of that money investing it.