How to Save A Life (Anthony Rizzo)

26- New Exhibit

Clara

After I got released from the hospital I return to Anthony's place, the only place I could happily call home. He was right, everything was just as I left it. My clothes and paintings were still there, the walls were still painted. The dishes were extremely clean because he still didn't know how to cook. It's almost like I never left.

"There is one thing that did happen since you've been gone" he insists as I look around my room refamiliarizing myself with it.

"And what would that be" I ask. I didn't see anything different.

"I can show you better than I can tell you" he claims. He gives me a big smile making me smile back.

He sticks his hand out and I put mine in his. He kisses the back of my hand before lacing his fingers through mine. His touch was so warm and inviting, not harsh at all. For a second I forgot what it was like for a guy to touch me because he loved me and not because he wanted to hurt me.

He takes my hand and pulls me down to the car then out into the city.

After a while he pulls up to the art institute and I smile big enough to hurt my cheeks. Even though I've seen everything this place has for me to see, I was still excited to go there. I could spend my entire life here and I would never be tired of it. We walk the inside and I take it all in like it was the first time. I was actually really excited to be here, I don't know why I am, but I'm not going to complain about being surrounded but such incredible art. I can actually enjoy coming this time and not be worried about someone recognizing me.

Anthony happily pulls me along to the paintings and we weave in and out of people. He seemed more excited to be here than I was.

"What are you doing" I question as I try not to step on anyone's toes.

"There's a new exhibit and I think you're going to love it" he insist.

A few more steps later and we stop at the back of the museum. There was a large crowd surrounding a new exhibit and I couldn't help but be thrilled. Maybe there will be new inspiration or a new point of view of life for me to see.

Eventually people move to the side so I could see what all the fuss was about. I get frozen in my spot when I see a familiar painting hanging up on the wall. I walk up to it and see that it was one of my favorite paintings I've ever done. The one of Anthony and I in the park standing under a umbrella, it was protecting us from the darkness around us as we shared a kiss. A kiss that never happened in real life, only in my dreams. A alternate reality I often times visited but only painted once.

There was a little silver plate with my name on the wall and my signature was still in the corner of the painting. I cover my mouth as I see it hang next to some of the worlds most famous paintings. I couldn't believe it. I never actually thought I would get here, I could only imagine what my parents would say if they were here now.

"Are you Ms. Clara Simpson" someone asks and I turn around. I see Anthony standing behind a tall woman in a nice suit. She smiles down at me as I actually had to look up at her.

"That's me" I assure her.

"Hello, it is a pleasure to meet you. I am Santana Wilson, the manager of this art institute and I have the final say in what we put up here and I work with other art institutes around the country. And I have to say I am a big fan of your work" she insists.

"Seriosuly" I ask and she laughs.

"Yes. Your friend here brought this to me last month and I've been dying to get my hands on some more paintings but I understand that wasn't possible at the time. I was hoping things have changed" she insists.

"Everything has changed" I smile and she nods.

"Awesome. This place could use a new artist and I can even get the word out, I'm sure there's many places like this who would love to have your work too. So do you think you could get some paintings for me any time soon" she questions.

"As soon as possible" I assure her.

"Amazing. Your friend has a few things from me to give to you and my number is there so please, give me a call. I can't wait to talk to again" she says walking away.

"Pleasure meeting you" I nod as she disappears into the crowd.

I turn to Anthony and he was just smiling so big. He was standing under the painting and he was my light in the darkness, just like in the picture.

"Did you do this" I ask.

"Yeah. Right after you left I brought this here. I didn't really need to say much for her to snatch it out of my hands. That and she wrote the check out to you for $100,000" he claims pulling out the check from his pocket.

"I'm sorry, did you just say a hundred grand" I gasp as he flops the check around.

"Yup" he smiles.

"Anthony... I don't even know what to say. Thank you, thank you so much for believing in me. I never thought my art would be here or worth anything more than a opinion. I'm speechless" I whisper.

"I'm just a fan" he claims and I laugh.

"You're my everything, and I don't deserve you" I insist.

"I would do anything for you. Seeing your reaction and how your hard work paid off is enough for me" he insists.

I walk over and take his face in my hands. My eyes dart from his eyes to his large lips before I smile.

"I think I can come up of another way to pay you back" I smirk.

I press my lips to his and he was taken aback at first. All the times we should have kissed but didn't, it kinda felt like it would never happen. But it doesn't take long for him to kiss me back as he wraps his hands around my neck. He pulls me closer as his warm lips take in my cold ones. The months of us not being able to be together seems to be let out in one big kiss. All the times we should have been together, all the times we couldn't be together. It was all there.

Eventually our lips separate but his forehead rests on mine. He massages my neck softly as we both catch our breath.

"That was incredible" he whispers and I let out a giggle.

"It was" I agree.

"I can't believe after all this time I was missing out on that. What is wrong with me" he teases just so he could make me laugh.

"Nothing is wrong with you. It just wasn't the right time" I assure him.

"But now it is" he asks.

"There's nothing that could make this feel more right" I assure him.