Portraits [On Hold]

20-The Gallery

**Important Author's Note At The End**

"You don't have to go." Aiden spoke into the phone. I really didn't understand why he was so hesitant about me attending his parents' art gallery photoshoot.

After all, this was also my chance to show his dad some of my art. Sure, photoshoots could be boring, but it would give me a chance to see what it was Aiden had been working on. I only knew the art course side of Aiden—for the most part, anyways. I was interested in seeing what his life was all about outside of that course.

"But I want to see what you're doing! What kind of girlfriend would I be if I didn't even know who you are outside the course?" I told him, my eyes fixed on my naked left foot as Blue painted my toes a bright blue color.

"June..." He groaned. "I promise it's nothing interesting. If you want to see me outside the course maybe we could get some dinner later," he said, his tone changing from annoyed to flirty just as he suggested going out.

I let out a laugh and shook my head, ignoring the fact he couldn't actually witness my actions.

"Sorry but as much as I'd love to do that, I'm going to have to turn that offer down. Besides, I want to show your dad my stuff," I admitted, and there was a silence for a few seconds.

"Hello?" I frowned.

"Fine." He sighed. "But whatever happens, promise me nothing will change," he added, making me raise an eyebrow.

"Why would anything change?" I laughed lightly. "Stop being silly. Now, I gotta go. See ya later!" I told him.

"See ya," he said, and then hung up.

For a few seconds, a frown fell upon my face.

Blue noticed my conflicted expression and spoke.

"What happened now?"

I shrugged nonchalantly before meeting her gaze and said,

"He just seemed very hesitant of me attending. He made me promise nothing would change after that."

She raised an eyebrow at this, and put the nail polish back down the floor, leaving only two toes ungroomed.

"That's weird," she started, and bit her lip, thinking hard on what to say next. "Maybe his parents are strict when they're working. I'm sure you can relate to the strict parent fear. You were scared to have me over when we first met," she reminded me.

Memories of my mother's attitude flooded back. She had never been the nicest person. I didn't ever really like having friends over, knowing she would not ever be able to keep her judgemental comments to herself. Not only that, she was the strictest person you could ever meet. Not even my dad was like that. It was awful. Sometimes I wondered how we were even related or why my dad ever fell in love with her in the first place.

"Maybe," I said. "Whatever it is, I'm sure it can't be too bad. After all, I forgave him for the jail situation. What's worse than that, right?" I started laughing, and she nodded her head in agreement, letting out a few giggles herself.

I wouldn't let his family or anybody ruin something I'd worked so hard on finally accepting. I was dating Aiden, not them.

I wasn't ready to lose anybody again.

--

I held on tight to the portfolio in my hands, holding it close to my chest. I knew I shouldn't have to be worrying so much about it, but part of me felt this could change my life. Winning that art course would be amazing, but if I was able to get a job at the company, that would mean my career as an artist would be guaranteed, whether I won that competition or not. I needed this to be good enough. It was my ticket to success.