A Symphony of Scars

Part 4

Holographic art pieces floated in mid-air, changing shapes and colors with the music played by a nearby virtual orchestra. Ivy felt a mix of excitement and anxiety, her own artwork hanging prominently in the gallery.

“Wow, Ivy! Look at your work!” Soren exclaimed, his eyes wide with admiration as they approached one of her pieces. “This is incredible!”

“I can’t believe they chose my pieces,” Ivy murmured, stepping closer to study her paintings, each brushstroke a reminder of the past.

“Stop being so humble! You deserve this,” Vera said, linking her arm with Ivy’s. “Let’s make the most of tonight!”

Just then, Soren’s gaze drifted to a familiar figure across the gallery. “Wait a second. Is that Aiden St. Pierre?” he asked, squinting through the crowd.

Ivy followed Soren’s line of sight, her heart skipping a beat. “Huh? What’s he doing here?” she exclaimed, surprised.

“Looks like he’s really into the art scene,” Soren replied, a hint of disbelief in his voice. “I never thought I’d see him at a gallery. Isn't he usually all about the music.”

Ivy felt a rush of emotions—curiosity and admiration. “I hope he doesn’t come over here,” she said, trying to sound nonchalant but failing.

“Come on, Ivy! This is a big deal!” Soren teased, nudging her. “You’re an artist too. He should know who you are.”

Vera and Ophelia exchanged glances, excitement evident in their eyes. “He’s so hot,” Ophelia whispered, her voice barely audible over the crowd. “I mean, look at him!”

Vera giggled, nudging Ophelia playfully. “Right? He definitely has that brooding artist vibe going on.”

“Can we just focus on the art?” Ivy interjected, though a smile tugged at her lips.

As the group continued to explore the gallery, Ivy caught glimpses of Aiden engaging with other attendees. He looked effortlessly cool, his passion for art evident in the way he discussed the pieces surrounding him.

Suddenly, the gallery director announced a surprise performance, capturing everyone’s attention. Ivy felt the energy shift as people gathered around the stage.

“Let’s go see what this is about!” Soren urged, pulling Ivy along with Vera and Ophelia. They maneuvered through the crowd, Ivy trying to focus on the performance rather than the fact that Aiden was still nearby.

As the music swelled, Ivy felt a flicker of hope spark within her. Surrounded by her friends, she allowed herself to immerse in the moment, focusing on the rhythm and the colors surrounding her. This was her night, her celebration.

When the performance ended, Ivy turned to Soren, who was still glancing at Aiden. “Can you believe he’s here?” Soren asked, shaking his head.

“I don’t know, Soren,” Ivy replied, trying to suppress a smile. “But let’s just enjoy the night.”

Meanwhile, Vera and Ophelia shared whispers, their eyes still fixed on Aiden. “We should totally take a picture with him,” Vera suggested, giggling.

“Yes! Imagine how cute it would be,” Ophelia replied, her excitement palpable.

As the evening progressed, Ivy felt more at ease, her earlier nerves fading away. Despite Aiden’s presence, she realized this night was about her art and reconnecting with her passion. Aiden could admire her work from afar, but she was determined to stand on her own.

The crowd began to disperse after the performance, and Ivy took a deep breath, grateful for the temporary distraction. Her friends surrounded her, buzzing with excitement.