Unexpected // Why Don't We

Chapter 19

Hayden's pov

I was off work today, so I decided to work on my art. I pulled out a canvas and started messing around with my oil paints. I ended up painting a really pretty ocean view, and I was proud of it. It took me almost two hours, but it was totally worth it. Then I set that canvas off to the side for it to dry. I started working on another painting. At first, it was just random colors of paint on a canvas. I turned it into a beautiful sunset over the ocean. Once I had finished that, my phone started ringing. I didn't know the number, but I answered it anyway.

"Hello?" I asked.

"Is this Hayden Williams?" a lady asked.

"Umm, yes," I answered, skeptical.

"Wonderful! I am a part of the National Association of Independent Artists, also known as the NAIA," she told me. "We would like to sponsor you to spend the summer in Germany to give you inspiration for your intricate art pieces."

"That would be amazing!" I wanted to scream because I was so happy.

"Great! We will email you all of the information soon," the lady said.

"Thank you so much!" I beamed.

I hung up and screamed. I jumped around my room. This was the best news ever! I immediately started to call Jack. The phone rang a few times before he answered.

"Hay-" I cut him off.

"Guess what!" I squealed.

"What?" he laughed.

"The NAIA wants to sponsor me to go to Germany for the summer to work on my art!" I was smiling like crazy.

"No way! Are you serious?!" he asked.

"Yes!" I bit my lip.

"I'm so happy for you!" he told me. "I knew you'd make it."

"Don't tell Taylor. I want to surprise her," I said.

"Okay. I won't," he laughed.

"I have to go, but I'll keep you updated," I said quickly.

"Okay. Bye," he hung up.

I went to the kitchen and made myself some lunch since it was 2:30. It was passed time for lunch, but oh well. I couldn't wait until Taylor got home so I could tell her the amazing news.

*11:30 p.m.*
Taylor finally got home, and I rushed into the living room.

"Whoa, calm down," Taylor joked. "Why are you so happy?"

"I have big news," I smiled.

She sat on the couch, and I sat in a recliner.

"What is it?" she raised an eyebrow.

"Don't freak out," I said seriously.

"You can't tell me that because then I will," she sighed.

"The NAIA called, and they want to sponsor me to go to Germany for the summer to work on my art!" I announced.

"What?! That's amazing!" she jumped up.

"I know right! They emailed me the information and everything!" I beamed.

"I'm so proud of you," Taylor pulled me into a hug.

"This is what I've been dreaming about for so long," I whispered.

"Well, now it's finally coming true," she laughed. "You deserve this."

"Thanks, Tay," I smiled.

"Of course. Now, if I want to have enough energy for practice tomorrow, I might want to get some sleep. Justin is coming back to watch me dance again," she told me.

"Okay. I'll let you sleep then," I said. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight," she said back.

Taylor's pov

I woke up the next morning and immediately threw on a white crop top with black sweatpants and tied my Nike shoes. Then I put on some mascara and did my eyebrows, which is what I usually did for dance since I was going to be sweating. I decided to just leave my hair down, so I brushed it out. It was nice and wavy today, so it looked really cute. I went to the kitchen and made myself a bowl of cereal as usual. Hayden was still in her room. I finished eating, and she ran out of her room.

"I'm running late," she said out of breath. "I will just grab breakfast on the way."

"Okay. See you when I get home," I told her before she walked out the front door.

I went back to my room and brushed my teeth. I wasn't in a rush to get to the studio today since I was just meeting with Justin. I got in my jeep and was on my way. Once I got there, I went straight to the main practice room.

"Taylor!" Justin beamed.

He walked up and hugged me.

"How are the routines going?" he asked.

"I'd say they're pretty good. Maybe a few things could be adjusted," I shrugged.

"Well then let's see," he told me.

Jacob started the music, and I started dancing as Justin watched. He seemed very interested in my dancing, which I wasn't used to. I did my routines to all of the songs on the set list. I finished the last routine, and Justin just smiled at me.

"How was that?" I asked him.

"Perfection," he answered.

"That's all you have to say?" I folded my arms.

"Amazing. Intriguing. Extravagant. I'm running out of words," he laughed.

"Okay, okay. That's enough," I laughed along with him.

Jacob had left the room. I didn't even notice when he left at first. Justin and I were just talking about random stuff. Nothing in particular.

"This is going to be a great tour," he smiled.

"I hope so," I smiled back.

"Taylor! You're off early! Go get some rest before tomorrow because you have to teach the younger kids!" Jacob yelled from the doorway.

"Yes sir!" I saluted him.

I jogged out of the room and went to my jeep. I hopped in and jammed out to my music on the way back to my house. Once I got there, Hayden was asleep on the couch. I laughed and just went to my room to take a shower. Once I did all that, I immediately went to sleep.