Chapter 40

Lila’s POV Today was the big day; my art piece was going to be shown to hundreds of people and I had never been more nervous in my entire life.

My heart was racing rapidly in my chest as I stared myself over in the mirror that hung in my dorm room.

I wore a casual evening gown and kept my hair down and slightly curled at the bottoms. I wanted a more business casual look. Rachel wore her usual ripped jeans and black gaming blouse with her pixiestyle hair dyed purple.

I liked her style; it was the opposite of my style and I think that’s why we got along so well.

I pressed the palm of my hands to my stomach, feeling a wave of nausea forming in my throat.

“Are you excited?” Rachel asked with a wide grin.

“I’m terrified,” I admitted. “And also, a little guilty... I just wish Becca could be here too.”

“Don’t feel guilty. What happened to her wasn’t your fault. Plus, she’s going to be fine. She woke up yesterday, remember?” Rachel reminded me.

It was true that Becca was going to be okay, and I was relieved to hear that when my father called me yesterday. It could have been bad. It also seems as though she has no memory of what happened.

“You’ll have to take a lot of pictures for her,” Rachel said with a shrug. “I’m sure she would love to see them.”

“Yeah, I’m planning on visiting her later this evening,” I said, turning away from the mirror. “I want to see for myself that she’s truly okay.”

“I can come with you if you’d like.”

I shake my head, giving her a thankful smile.

“I think it’s something I need to do by myself,” I tell her.

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She nods with understanding as she stands from her bed.

“We should go to the exhibit though. It’s starting soon and everybody is probably already there,” she said casually. She draped an arm through mine and pulled me alongside her.

I took a deep breath, ignoring the nagging feeling I had in the pit of my stomach.

The art gallery was bigger than I could have ever imagined. It didn’t take long for us to get there because it was only a couple of miles from the academy.

Instantly, I saw my mom and dad both smiling proudly at me as they rushed toward me. There were so many people that I felt overwhelmed. But I knew they weren’t just here for me; there were so many other pieces of art to enjoy and mine was only a small part of it.

But I saw my friends and family right away and they were all here for me.

My mom wrapped her arms around me and held me close; I hadn’t seen her since our time in the forest when she was training me on how to control my powers.

“Congratulations,” my father said, reaching his arms out to hug me as well. “I’m so proud of you!”

“Have you talked to Becca?” I found myself asking him, keeping my tone low.

He nodded but his face was unreadable.

“We will talk about it later, but for right now, Cassidy-Anne wishes to speak with you.”

I couldn’t wait to meet her too, but I couldn’t help but wonder what it was my father wanted to talk about.

“Lila!” Brianna says as she runs over to me, hugging me tightly. “I just saw your painting! It’s beautiful.”

“Thanks, Bri,” I chuckled.

“I want to see it,” Rachel said, stepping toward Brianna who smiled and grabbed onto her arm.

“Come on, I’ll show ya!” Bri said, pulling Rachel along with her.

I couldn’t help but laugh at my two best friends.

Cassidy-Anne was talking casually with some people as we approached, but when she saw me alongside my father, she quickly dismissed those she was talking to.

“You must be Lila,” Cassidy-Anne said. “It’s an honor to finally meet you.”

“I’m the one who’s honored,” I said, bowing my head slightly to her. “I’ve always loved your work. I can’t believe you chose my portrait.”

“I would be stupid if I didn’t,” she said, and then she lowered herself, so she was at eye level. “And I’m not stupid,” she winked.

A smile spread across my face.

“Thank you so much,” I said.

“After seeing your painting, I’ve decided that I really want you to work for me,” Cassidy-Anne said with a twinkle in her eyes. I gasped at her words, staring at her in disbelief. “You’d start off as my assistant and then work your way to the top. I think you have what it takes to be the next big artist in the world. Of course, you will be compensated for your hard work, and we can work around your school schedule.”

“I... I don’t know what to say,” I breathed, staring between her and my father. This almost felt undeserving after what happened this past week, but I was in such awe I could hardly form words.

“Say you’ll accept,” Cassidy-Anne said with a fond smile. “I wouldn’t want anyone else to be my assistant.”

I looked at my father again who gave me a nod of encouragement.

“Yes, of course, I accept,” I said widening my smile.

“Excellent. I’ll text you the details in the morning and we can discuss when you start.” She paused as she glanced behind me at a few different people. “Excuse me, there’s someone I need to speak with. It was lovely meeting you, Lila. I’m sure we will talk more as the evening goes on.”

“Thank you again,” I said after her as she disappeared into the crowd.

Before I could say anything to my father, I got a familiar sense that washed over me, causing Val to perk up instantly.

I knew this feeling all too well.

Enzo.

He appeared through the crowd; it was like the crowd of people was creating a path for him to walk through as he made his way over to me.

His face was hard to read, but that part wasn’t what surprised me.

What surprised me was the fact that he dressed up.

Was he dressed up for me?

Was he here to support me?

“Of course, he is!” Val cooed.

We hadn’t talked since before I heard him and Connie talking in the arena the other day. A knot formed in my stomach at the very thought of it.

I didn’t realize my father had already walked away until Enzo was directly in front of me.

“I’m surprised you came,” I said, trying not to sound too awkward.

“I figured I should, considering it’s my picture that hanging up,” he said, narrowing his eyes at me.

I felt my face reddening under the intensity of his stares.

“Right,” I said with a light chuckle.

“Becca is going to be okay, in case you were wondering,” Enzo said, eyeing me carefully. He didn’t sound angry, but he didn’t sound pleased either.

“I heard,” I tell him. “I’m going to visit her later.”

“Probably a good idea,” he agreed. “She doesn’t remember anything that happened.”

I nodded, indicating that I knew that part too.

I couldn’t stand this awkward talk anymore; the memory of Connie invaded my mind every time I saw him, and it was destroying me on the inside.

I cleared my throat and turned away from him.

“If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to mingle with others,” I say to him as I walk through the crowd of people.

...

Enzo’s POV For most of the night, Lila seemed to not have noticed me. Her painting of me hung beautifully on the featured wall, and she was talking with a bunch of others, including those I recognized as her friends and family.

But she wouldn’t look in my direction at all.

I don’t know why I found that to be incredibly irritating.

I shouldn’t want her attention, but I certainly didn’t want her to ignore me either.

She had finally glanced over in my direction, but it was only briefly. Soon, she was walking through the crowd of people, and I couldn’t help but follow her this time.

Max was going crazy not being around her and I worried I would soon lose control of him.

She walked around the corner and into the women’s bathroom.

What am I thinking? I asked myself as I checked behind me to make sure nobody was looking as I too shoved my way into the women’s room.

She was standing in the mirror, breathing heavily, and meeting her own eyes. She was alone in the bathroom, thankfully. I wasn’t sure how I would explain why I was in the women’s room to anyone else if they were to see me.

She noticed me quickly and she looked shocked to see me standing before her.

Before she could open her mouth and utter a single question, I was rushing toward her, lifting her onto the sink, her legs wrapped around me, and her pelvis pressed against mine; I firmly pressed my lips against hers.