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Seth wasn’t, but there’s no way I’m ever telling her that.
“And then—”
“Mom, I really have to go. The teacher is here.” He totally wasn’t, but I would do anything to end this conversation, including smashing my phone on my desk until it no longer worked. “I’ll think about it. Bye, love you.”
“Wait! Love—”
I smash my finger against the hang-up icon and groan while leaning back in my seat, gazing up at the lights and wishing I could somehow fake my death and disappear from my parents′ lives forever. That’s probably a bit dramatic. They’re the ones who introduced art into my life, helped me when I fell, kissed my injuries, and provided for me. But right now, the both of them are driving me completely insane.
“So, I take it, this is why you didn’t notice the intern flyers,” Charlie says while pointing at my phone.
“Yes,” I groan. “It’s been incessant. If it’s not her, then it’s Dad. Constantly.”
Lauren grimaces. “That must be hard. It’s not like you’re already stressed enough with school.”
“You should consider changing your name and joining a circus,” says Charlie.
I shake my head. “They’ll still find me.”
Charlie’s eyes widen and she grabs my hand, pulling me towards her. “There is one thing you can do. It’s not a job, or an intern, but it’s still in the art field.”
I narrow my eyes at her, wondering what exactly she’s getting at. There’s plenty of things I can do in art, but not all of them are really up my alley. And some things I flat out refuse to do. “As much as I respect those in the sex industry, I flat-out refuse to do porn,” I say.
Charlie rolls her eyes. “It’s not porn. It’s an art fair that happens every May. You always miss it, but since you have nothing going on this summer break, and it’s clear you don’t want to return home, this is the perfect opportunity for you to show off your skills.”
“An art fair?” I ask with a raised eyebrow.
“Yeah, I was planning on doing it before I go to Denver.”
“I usually sign up,” says Lauren, “but this year I will be too busy with the art museum.”
“Here, I think I have a flyer somewhere in here.” I watch Charlie dig through her purse until she pulls out a crumpled, shiny piece of paper displaying the name:May Art Market.There’s a picture of a student dressed in all black standing in front of a wall of portraits they have painted.
“You have to give them a portfolio of your work and if they are interested, you will have to send a deposit for the stand.”
“How much is the deposit?” I ask while looking at the portraits, wondering if this is something I can really do. I’ve never sold my work before, but I guess, since I have no future prospects, this is better than nothing. And they may not even like my work.
“Don’t worry about that, yet,” says Lauren. “Just turn in your portfolio and wait and see.”
I nod and shove the flyer into my bag, hoping this will be the right path for me. Now, I just need to see what I have in my portfolio and if it will be enough for the market.
Chapter 8
LUCAS
“IhaveaCaramelMacchiato for Princess!” I shout into the crowded I. The girls waiting in line giggle while several people studying in the corner give me a weird look. “Caramel Macchiato for Princess!”
A girl with platinum blond hair in a high pony tail strides towards me and I rest the mug in front of her before returning to the line of customers waiting to place their order. Honest to God, I am really over this job. I don’t think I’ve ever been so over anything in my life. Sure, I’ve gotten good at it. I know how to wash dishes—something I had never done before taking this job, and I can make ten different coffee drinks, possibly with my eyes closed, but I’m so unbelievably bored. I feel like I am wasting my life away. My time spent here could easily be applied to writing another book, one that I actually want to publish. I have so many in mind, so many stories waiting to be written on paper.
And, yet, I have to write the one that has the potential in ruining my family. I can still say no. I haven’t signed any contracts, yet. But the money is so good. I could buy a new apartment with the money. I could get a car. Rachel and I could start a life together with the money. I should say “fuck you” to my parents and do it. It’s not like they have ever cared about me, until recently that is.
“Hey Lucas,” Jason shouts while stalking inside from his smoke break.
I wrinkle my nose at the smell of tobacco smacking me in the face. “Ugh, bro,” I groan while waving a hand in front of me. “Spray some cologne or something. You wreak.”
“Cigarettes and coffee go well together.”
“In what universe?” I ask while Jason squeezes past me.
