friends || l.r.h

0.9

Soon the days started going by, and thanksgiving break was coming up soon. I hated the holiday though. There's no point in recreating a dinner that started with pilgrims and native Americans. We know our history but we pretend that we love native Americans but we were cruel to them.

Anyways not getting into that, I was currently with the art club, working on a small little project. Of course I paired up with Ashton since he's the only person i'm close with in the club. I knew who almost everyone was beside a few. But I didn't talk much with them.

We're making actual sculptures of our favorite artist. Both Ashton and I didn't have favorites so we're going to sculp Vincent Van Gogh. He was quite the artist and I liked his technique.

We were using news paper and plaster, forming it over the clay we already formed to his face two days ago.

"We're doing pretty good, Cleopatra," he smiled making me chuckle and nod my head,
"Indeed we are, Ashley," I smiled calling him a girls name, making his cheeks heat up.

"Alright finish up what you guys are on. We're already an hour past our time, not that I mind, but the janitor cleans up in here around this time and I don't want us in his way," Mr. Fletcher said as everyone began cleaning.

Ashton and I were the last ones to clean up, and leave the room. As I pulled my bag over my shoulder, Mr. Fletcher called my name, making me turn and Ashton give me a weird glance before walking out.

"Yes Mr. Fletcher?" I asked curious why he called me to talk privately.

"You're very talented," he grinned as my cheeks heated and I thanked him, pulling a strand of my hair behind my ear.
"There's this art gallery down town, with professionals, and I think you'd fit in there. They have great studios and art there. They'll hang your art up as well and they have live models to draw and sketch. It's great."

I felt overwhelmed that he was even saying that I would fit in there. No way am I even close as good enough compared to professional artist.

"Are you saying that I would be good enough to be there?" I questioned making him laugh and nod.

"Yes Cleo, that's exactly what i'm saying."

"Oh Mr. Fletcher, that's so nice, but no way could I do that. Those people took years to get where they're at. I'm not even half as good as they are," I said shaking my head.

"Oh but you are, Cleo, and i've talked to the owner and he's completely interested in you," He grinned. "I showed him one of your art works."

"Which one?" I asked.

"The oil canvas of your mother," he said and I nodded my head.

"Oh yeah, that one..."

"He's related to the president of Juliard, Cleo. I wouldn't pass this opportunity up," he grinned before handing me a card with the address and date on it, making me grin.

"Thank you Mr, Fletcher," I smiled nodding at him.

"Cleo," he said before I walked out, and I turned around to him again.

"Your mom would be proud," he said and I clutched my bag strap and nodded thanking him, and walking out to see Ashton waiting for me.

"I'm sorry I can't lie" he said, "I was eavesdropping and i'm happy for you! What if he really enjoys your art and recommends you to Juliard?!" He said sounded so excited as I laughed.

"That'd be amazing. I just don't think that'll happen," I said and he nudged me as we began walking home together.

"Hey, don't doubt yourself," he said giving me a soft grin and I returned it.

He stayed quiet a little while, until his voice took my attention away.
"Hey, Cleo?"

"Yeah?"

"Do you mind if I asked what happened to your mom?" He asked as my smile faded and he took noticed and shook his head immediately regretting that he asked, "You don't have to. I'm sorry I brung it up, I was just curious," he said.

"No, it's okay," I said nodding.

"Well it was 5 years ago, and my mom was pregnant. It was on October 21st when she went into labor with my little brother, Wade. All of my family was there waiting, and I was in the room with her at first, but I was tired, so I went out to the waiting room with the rest of my family. It was hard for her this time giving birth, not sure why, but she had a difficult time doing so. Once she actually had my little brother, she went unconscious, and she ended up dying. Wade came out safely though, but she didn't," I said keeping all my emotions in thinking about it. I missed my mother dearly.

"I'm really sorry about that, Cleo. Does Wade know what happened?"

"Not really. He knows she died, but he thinks that she was an angel that God sent down to deliver him for a purpose, and take her back up," I said adding a small chuckle am thinking about it, as my eyes started watering and I stopped walking, holding my temples, letting another chuckle out, trying to cover up my cry as I held my eyes shut so the tears didn't fall.
"I'm sorry," I apologized, but I felt his arms rub mine and comfort me.

"No it's okay, really. I understand," he said and I opened my eyes.

"You do?" I asked and he nodded giving me a sad smile and taking his glasses off. His eyes were beautiful.

"My father passed a little over a year ago. It was on New Year's Eve night, and we were driving back from my grandparents house. It was already after the ball dropped. It was pretty slick outside too, from all the snow," he said and pushed his hair out his forehead.

"A drunk driver hit us head on, killing my dad instantly, and putting my mom into a coma for two days," he said and i frowned, feeling my heart aching for him.

"Ashton, Im sorry," I said and he nodded shrugging his shoulders swallowing a lump in his throat.

"You're actually the first person to know," he said nodding his head and I pulled him into a hug. At first, he was hesitant, but then I felt his arms snake around my waist, and he held me for awhile before we pulled apart and I gave a weak smile.

"Looks like we have quite a bit in common," I grinned as we began walking again, as he giggled.

"Yes, I suppose we do, don't we Cleopatra?"