friends || l.r.h

2.0

Once getting in, I thought only one piece of my art was going to be displayed, but he enlarged a few items from my sketch book and gave me my own section like some of the famous artist in the room.

I was baffled at the sight snd thought that I was even good enough for this. It was a whole collection of the drawing I did of my mom. The was bewildering. Just such an honor.

"Oh my god, Cleo, excuse my language, but holy hell, this is amazing!" He said hugging me tightly. The adrenaline was rushing through my veins as the owner walked over to me smiling.

"Like my little surprise?" He grinned as I nodded thanking him.

He chuckled at my excitement over my art being displayed. "Well you're great. Actually great is and understatement. I don't know what you are, but please keep being it," he said as I nodded and he held his hand out to Ashton who shook his hand.

"Jared Gilinger," he grinned as Ashton returned it and introduced himself as well and Jared complimented Ashton on his suite.

"Well I have to go open up now," he said before he began to walk away, but stopped in his tracks and turned around glancing at me.

"Oh yeah, and Cleo," he said as a sly grin appeared on his lips, "Juliard will be attending tonight," he said sneakily before he walked off.

Both Ashton and I began to squeal and he hugged me tightly, "I'm so happy for you, Cleo! This is amazing!" He said grinning widely as I was too.

I felt bad for wishing that he was Luke, but luke was gonna be here soon so I didn't feel too bad.

The door opened at 5:30 and the even doesn't end till 9:00; late because of how many people attend. It's a popular even and some people from out of state even come and view it.

It was now eight and I was beginning to worry that Luke had forgotten. I didn't want to be the one to text him and remind him because I wanted him to remember on his own. But it looks like I was going to have too.

I was so grateful Ashton was staying with me the whole time. My parents are now just coming to see it since it was less packed. As they walked up, I could see my dads eyes filling with tears, and then fall on his cheek as he held his chest looking at the art of my mom. Lilian gave a weak smile and stayed by his side holding his hand and rubbing his back. I was so thankful that Lilian was understanding about my father and mother. She knew my father was still completely in love with my mom, but my dad also is in love with Lilian. And that's okay. At first I didn't think so. But I understand it now. And my mom does too.

I have my father a hug, and he gave me a weak smile as he picked up Wade, and Wade pressed his hand again the oil canvas of our mother hanging up.

"I..." He began, starring at it, "I know her," he said and I nodded.

"You do?" I question and he nodded not taking his eyes off the painting.

"Who is she, Wade?" My father asked.

"She the Angel," he said as if it was obvious. "You know, the one who gave me to you," he said and gave a small grin, "That's my angel," he said as my eyes began filling with water and I had to look away. I noticed Ashton was now standing beside me and wrapping his arm around me.

"Yes, Wade," I said nodding smiling, "That's her," I agreed as he grinned placidly. He continued to look at her, keeping his hand on the part of her cheek. My da let him, until he was ready to go.

"We'll see you when you get home," my father an Lilian said before giving me kisses goodbye and I waved at them as they left and Ashton and I sat back down at our table.

"Impressive," a woman said. A man and woman around their forties appeared looking at my art.

"Breathtaking," the guy corrected as he examined the art intimately. He seem o enjoy it.

"Do you happen to be Cleo Sohpia Jenner?" He questioned as I awkwardly complied and nodded my head.

"Yes," I said feeling strange that this stranger knew my full name.

"Hi, i'm David Gilinger, president of Juliard," he grinned as I immediately smiled and shook his hand and did the same to the woman who happened to be his wife and then they shook Ashton's hand.

"I think you're very talented for your age," he said and shook his head, "Actually you're very talented in general." He smiled.

"Thank you so much," I said.

"Would you be unstressed in applying to Juliard?" He questioned and I quickly nodded my head.

"Yes, yes of course," I said as he chuckled and nodded.

"Well I have a packet here for you to fill out. Just give it to Jared and he'll know what to do with it," he smiled and I thanked him again. He turned to Ashton before leaving.

"Are you an artist to?" He asked and Ashton nodded.

"Well, sort of, musician actually," he said and Dave nodded.

"Do you consider yourself good? Is that what you're looking for in a career?" He questioned and Ashton swallowed nervously and nodded.

"Yes, and yes, hopefully. Normally music careers don't work out very well," he said and Dave nodded.

"Well if you're good enough for Juliard they do. Here," he said pulling out another packet just like the one he'd given me, from his goat and handed it to Ashton, "Just so happens I have two," he smiled slightly before nodding to us and saying goodbye.

"Did that really just happen? No way am I good enough for Juliard, Cleo," he said and I smiled and nodded.

"Of course you are. I didn't know you were a musician. You have to let me hear you sometime," I said and he sighed smiling and nodded agreeing to it.

I glanced to see if Luke had text me back but nothing. He hadn't even read it yet. I sighed not really knowing what I was feeling.

"Cleo be happy. Great things are happening to you," he said and I shrugged and nodded.

"Yeah, I know ash," I said and he frowned.

"What's wrong?" He asked and honestly I wasn't for sure. All I was feeling was numbness.

"I don't know. Do you ever feel like you're already complete and you should be happy with all you have?" I asked and he nodded.

"Sometimes that's just not enough."