For the First Time- A Harry Styles Fanfiction

Chapter 9 (Part 42)

~Sorry, guys. I know its been foreverrr. I'll be updating more often from now on. And thank you SO much for 300 reads! Keep them coming :)

ps. things are going to get really emotional, really fast... - O~

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(Tess's POV)

"Harry!" I yelled at him across my apartment, "Come on! I don't want to be late!"

I clipped my leather painting bag ,containing some of my last minute pieces, closed. I set it down beside the front door and walked nervously to the mirror in the living room. I tugged at my updo and twirled a loose strand of hair around my finger and moved on to preening my dress.

Harry emerged from the end of the hallway, at last, dressed as I instructed, casually formal. I motioned for him to stand in front of me. I smoothed the collar of his blazer, "Finally. You were in there for hours."

"Tess, it was 20 minutes." he grinned. He took my hands as I attempted to open his coat to inspect the t-shirt beneath and the silk lining, "Relax. I look fine, you look wonderful. Besides, its your night, I'm just here to keep you sane."

Tonight was my very first art show. A friend of mine had gotten me a beautiful downtown venue in an upscale gala. Everyone I knew would be there, and then some. 200 to be exact, not counting those who didn't RSVP in advance. And I was nervous beyond belief.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I'm just so scared nobody's going to be into it, you know. What if nobody likes my work." I rubbed my forhead with my fingers. He ran his hands up and down my arms, a smirk never leaving his face. The longer he smirked at me, the less anxious I became, "Stop laughing at me!" I giggled.

"I'm not laughing!" I punched him lightly in the stomach and walked to the door. Harry helped me into my coat, picked up my bag, and we were off.

Despite my worrying, we were there around 2 hours before the doors opened. the way my heels clicked against the black hardwood made me fee extremly important as I carried my last pieces of work into the building.

It was very different than I had always imagined it, and it was surreal. When I pictured it as a teenager, locked in an attic, I thought that the only people I'd be in the company of for the rest of my life would be doped up on various drugs, not having enough of an IQ to comprehend art, let alone give a shit about it. I thought I'd have one or two pieces in the corner of a tiny art stoor in San Francisco, at best, or a table set up on the street corner. And the only person I had ever shown my art to before two years ago was Emmett, who I hadn't talked to for at least a week. I had sent him numerous texts and left several voicemails about the event, so he knew about it, but that didn't mean he was coming. He'd become distant from me, stayed away, and I didn't know why.

I never thought now would be possible. That'd I'd be standing in my private show, with a wonderful, supportive man by my side and friends all around me.

This exceeded my wildest dreams. The large, new gallery was filled with over 120 pieces of my artwork. From sculptures, to paintings, pretty much every piece I've ever been proud of was in this room. There were even some finished clothing pieces Elizabeth Grace had helped me with, inspired by some of our favorite runway pieces. And everything was for sale.

I didn't care about the money, I had more of that then I knew what to do with. All I wanted was for people to appreciate and understand my artwork, and if they wanted to buy it, that's was fine by me. Hell, I'd be happy if I sold one 20 dollar print, let alone a 400 dollar sculpture.

Elizabeth Grace, Amanda and Arbor had come to help set up (minus felicity as she was on vacation in Japan) along with the boys, who I hadn't seen in a while. We got done with the finishing touches, and last minute rearrangements, and there was still some time to kill. Liz informed me that their were no vegan desserts available, an apparent must for an art event, and recruited the other girls to come with her to pick some up. The rest of us, regardless of my embarrassment, decided to walk around and take advantage of the opportunity to take a closer look at some of my pieces.