Lily Thomas

I pulled up to the gallery on 9th. I was excited to go to my first official city gallery exhibit opening. I was going to be Tea's plus one for the night. Tea(pronounced Tee-ah) was basically and pathetically my only friend or connection I had in NYC. She had been in my NYU journalism elective class I took on a whim. She was assigned to the same class group project. Tea was a plus size, beautiful African- American woman who had confidence for days. Her genuineness was rare to come in contact with in the city. Everyone else was interested in networking and the hottest new Manhattan night clubs. It reminded me of those not so distant college years. Back then Tea and I just wanted to pass our classes and get set up to work in the fields of our passions. She wanted to be a journalist(mostly editorial work). I just wanted to be an art historian who consumed all things art related with a side habit of collecting books.

Tea had taken off after graduation. I, on the other hand was still swimming with floaties. She had landed a gig at the New York Times part time covering events. She also had a successful sponsor endorsed plus size fashion blog. Currently, I was a cashier at Barnes&Noble and taught an art enrichment class at one of the Jewish senior centers. (I'm not even Jewish).

I arrived about 30 minutes after the event started. It started at 8. I got off work at 7:30, and arrived to the gallery at 8:30, thanks to a regular day's traffic. Usually I take the subway. However, today I took a taxi thinking it would quicker. Wrong! It was too slow and too expensive.

"Where have you been?," Tea practically shouted out.

"Sorry. Usual traffic stuff," I replied while giving her a sad puppy dog look.

She was dressed in a plum colored, sequined cocktail dress. Oops. I didn't get that memo. I had on a strapless yellow mini dress. It was accompanied by my trusty jean jacket, and a pair of thin black, strappy heels. My makeup was almost nonexistent as it had worn off after the long day I had with retail. My wavy auburn locks were frizzy and just laying on top of my shoulders. I looked like one of those memes that says , "At this moment she knew she f''ed up."

"Tea! You didn't tell me how dressy this thing was going to be."

"I guessed you being the art expert, you would know."

"Well, what am I going to do?"

"Just rock it."

"No. There's no way I'm staying like this. I'm going to leave."

"Don't be silly."

What could I come up with in a bind? Okay...thinking...

"Tea, can I borrow your necklace? You already have a ton of sequins on that dress. You are like a disco ball."

"Hey now!...but yes, you can borrow it."

It was a chunky purple/garnet costume,fake gemstone piece. I put it on just after I got through the door. I didn't even bother trying to make a transformation in the bathroom. I found a twist tie left over from a empty chocolate truffle bag. I had scrapped change together to get those at the gourmet candy stop, which was not too far away from B&N. I pulled my hair back and twisted the tie around a handful of my hair. It was a make shift ponytail holder. I pinched my porcelain skin on my cheeks to get a little color. Ouch! Turning the denim jacket inside out, I put it over my shoulder. I had one earring of a pair at the bottom of my purse. The other gold leafed dangle broke when snagging on my hair the other day. I pitched it. I didn't know what I was going to do with one left over earring but this was the moment. I stuck it in and was ready to browse. If nothing else I looked like an upcoming hipster.

"Lily, I think you may just be on your way to true hipster status."

"Barf. I'm hoping this version is better than before, but we'll see."

At the time, I was too busy to notice anyone around me but Tea and myself. I did feel like I had a pair of eyes watching me though. We scooted inside more.

"I'm going to mingle a little with some other press."

"Check that. I'm going to go browse some art. At least the pieces don't awkwardly judge me."

"You do you," Tea sassed back.

I had gotten about three pieces in and overheard two classic super model types behind me.

"She's a train wreck."

"I've never seen her before. Mr. Matt Bonner is noticing her."

"He probably thinks she's some hobo that walked in off the street to ruin the event."

I whipped around..."I'm pretty sure this is Frankie Costa's event. You know...the artist that you've been blankly staring at for over ten minutes now." The girls chuckled at me to my face no less and then walked away. "What bitches!," I murmured. I wasn't sure that they had heard me.

I felt the stare of a devilishly handsome, tall specimen from across the room. He had to be at least 6'2. Pure muscle but not like a meat head. More refined. He was almost like he was sculpted. A strong jawline. Amazing tan skin. Gorgeous blue eyes. Sandy blonde hair with a crew cut. Perhaps he was a male model. He was definitely worthy to be someone's muse. I briefly caught his eye. He smirked. I pretended to move along and look at more artwork.

Not even five minutes later, I feel the warmth of a person beside me. Don't look Lily. Don't look! Don't say anything stupid to make a fool of yourself to the Greek god!

With a Spanish accent...

"M'am, please don't stand so close to the artwork. If you plan to purchase a piece, you need to speak with my agent. Although, I highly doubt you have the means necessary to do so."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Don't play stupid, ginger. You have to be a plus one who skinned in here."

"You pompous ass!!"

"I'm going to have to ask you to leave now."

He literally walked me outside. Every eyeball in the room was lasered my way.

Smugly he states, "Have a nice night!"

I'm clearly fighting back tears at that point. Tea shows up just at that moment.

"What happened girl?," cautiously Tea approaches.

"Ricko Suave thinks I'm not good enough to be here. Story of my life. I make no sense and no one makes sense to me."

"Don't say bad things about yourself, Lily."

"Tea, the reason I was late tonight...I got fired from my job at Barnes and Noble. My life has hit an all time low. I have to find a job ASAP. I'm so lost."

The tears are streaming down fast, like a good ole ugly cry.

"Lily, I can't leave with you. It's my job. I have to get back inside. Please, don't do anything stupid. We'll talk in the morning, okay?"

I sniffle yes, give her a quick hug, and she walks back inside. I hesitate a minute, but turn to walk away.

"Hey, I know of a job opening if you're interested." I jumped a little having been startled and didn't think anyone was listening to our convo.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to frighten you. I just stepped outside here to make a phone call."

"Well, you clearly heard my conversation."

He stepped into the light of the street lamp and I realized the handsome face belonged to Mr. Greek God.

"Wow, you ease drop much?,?" I'm sure it sounded quite snippy.

"Look, clearly you've been crying. I'm just trying to help. Take it or leave it. That's up to you. Here's the address to the interviews being conducted."

He wrote on the back of his business card and stuck out his hand to greet me.

"Matt Bonner. And you are?..."

"Lily Thomas."

"Lily, like the flower?"

Insert eye roll. "Yes, like the flower."

"You have a good evening, Ms. Thomas. Good luck in your job search."

He walked back inside. Smug jerk but totally swoon worthy.