Art Imitates Life

Chapter 16

The day of the Young Voices exhibit had arrived, and Tom could hardly believe it was real. The Metropolitan Museum of Art loomed before him, its grand columns and towering structure a testament to the years of history it held within its walls. His heart raced as he made his way inside, each step taking him closer to a dream he'd scarcely dared to imagine.

Tom was one of the featured artists of the night, his painting displayed in a prominent gallery space. It was the same piece he'd painted on that chaotic night after his encounter with Timothee—a raw expression of love, conflict, and the tangled mess of emotions that made up his life. He was proud of the work, but standing here tonight, he felt a weight of expectation settle over him.

A museum director approached, a kind smile on her face. "Tom, we're ready for your speech whenever you are."

Tom swallowed, nerves bubbling up, but he glanced at Chris, who gave him an encouraging nod from the crowd. His gaze was steady, filled with warmth, and it grounded Tom, steadying him for what lay ahead.

Taking a deep breath, Tom stepped up to the podium, the lights bright in his eyes as he gazed over the audience. Artists, critics, and journalists watched him, some with polite curiosity, others with genuine interest. Tom began, his voice a little shaky but quickly finding strength as he spoke from the heart.

"I never imagined I'd be standing here tonight," he began, his gaze sweeping over the crowd. "I come from a small town, with a family who taught me the beauty of hard work and resilience. Art was my way of making sense of the world, of giving a voice to feelings I couldn't express any other way."

He gestured toward his painting, letting the raw colors and abstract shapes speak for themselves. "This piece is a reflection of everything I've experienced over the past year—the joy of growth, the struggles of self-doubt, and the people who've shaped me, who've given me a reason to keep creating. I hope that when you look at it, you see a little bit of yourselves, too. Because art, for me, is about connection. It's about finding the parts of ourselves we share with others."

The applause was warm, filling the room with a gentle hum of appreciation. Tom stepped down, a sense of pride filling his chest. He looked for Chris, who was beaming, clapping with an enthusiasm that made Tom's heart swell.

At the after-party, Tom was introduced to some of Chris's friends, faces he'd only ever seen on the big screen. He found himself chatting with Chris Evans, whose laid-back humor put him at ease immediately. Jeremy Renner shared stories about the early days of acting, and Scarlett Johansson gave him a warm smile, offering congratulations with a genuine kindness that took Tom by surprise.

Chris's arm rested on Tom's shoulder for most of the night, a quiet reminder of the life they were building together. They mingled, laughed, and celebrated with glasses of champagne, the hours slipping by in a blur of joy and excitement. Tom felt like he was exactly where he was meant to be.

Later, when they returned to their hotel, Tom couldn't wait to share the news with his family and friends. They set up a group FaceTime call, and soon enough, the screen was filled with the faces of his loved ones. His family was overjoyed, and Zendaya and Harrison practically burst with excitement when he showed them the ring.

"Tom! You didn't tell us you were going to do this tonight!" Zendaya squealed, her eyes wide.

"Honestly, it still feels like a dream," Tom laughed, holding up his hand so they could see the ring shining on his finger.

His family was thrilled, offering endless congratulations, and Harrison, his voice warm with pride, said, "Couldn't be happier for you, mate. You deserve every bit of this."

After the call, Tom felt a warmth settle in his chest, and he looked over at Chris, who was still smiling as he set the phone down.

But in another room, Harrison was still with Timothee, who had watched the entire call over Harrison's shoulder. His expression remained neutral, but something dark flickered in his gaze as he processed the news. When Harrison turned to him, his smile was wide, oblivious to the storm brewing in Timothee's eyes.

"I told you Tom would make it big," Harrison said proudly, giving Timothee a friendly nudge. "And now he's getting married. Can you believe it?"

Timothee forced a smile, but as Harrison looked away, his expression turned cold. In his mind, resentment twisted and knotted, a bitter cocktail of jealousy and frustration. He watched Harrison talk about Tom, about Chris, and his smile grew sharper, more determined.

I'll ruin it, he thought to himself, the vow echoing in his mind. I'll ruin it all.

As he plotted silently, Harrison remained blissfully unaware, his happiness blinding him to the truth behind Timothee's eyes.