My Last And My Only

Chapter 116: Opening Day

The Fine Arts Building had never looked more alive.

Color spilled into every hallway.

Large canvases lined the walls.

Photography exhibits occupied the second floor.

Installations filled open spaces that were usually empty between classes.

Music drifted from one studio while animated films played continuously inside another.

Students, professors, alumni, and visitors wandered through the building, stopping every few steps to admire another piece.

For most people, it was simply Fine Arts Week.

For Aiah...

It was months of hard work finally becoming real.

She stood in front of her exhibit one last time before the doors officially opened.

Her Multimedia Arts project occupied an entire corner of the gallery.

Printed photographs.

Motion graphics displayed on a mounted screen.

Concept sketches.

Storyboards.

Character explorations.

A short behind-the-scenes video looping quietly beside everything else.

Her professor walked over.

"You nervous?" Sir Lauren asked.

"A little."

"Good."

Aiah laughed.

"That's supposed to help, Sir?"

"It means you care."

Her professor smiled before patting her shoulder.

"You've done good work."

"Now let people see it."

Outside...

A black SUV pulled into the university parking lot.

Khae stepped out first.

Marcus followed a moment later.

"You didn't have to come this early, Dad."

"I wanted to."

He looked toward the Fine Arts Building.

"You've talked about this exhibit for weeks."

Khae smiled.

"I have?"

Marcus gave her a look.

"Every dinner."

"Oh."

"You just didn't notice."

She laughed softly.

"...Maybe."

As they began walking toward the building, Marcus glanced sideways at his daughter.

"You look excited."

Khae didn't deny it.

"...I am."

Meanwhile...

Gwen and Ivy had just arrived together.

"I still can't believe she didn't tell me half of what she was preparing," Gwen said.