Chapter Seventy-One: Good News?

Exhibition: a public display of works of art or items of interest, held in an art gallery or museum or at a trade fair.

*

I sat in the kitchen, flicking through funny videos on my phone when I heard piano music travel around the dorm. I remembered when the house used to be filled with bell chimes and the occasional yell of girls.

I smiled at the music as I continued to flick through my phone when another instrument was added to the mix. I frowned as I sat up, having a moment trying to figure out what was being played.

A violin?

A cello?

I didn't know if any of the girls played instruments aside from Mia.

For a second, I thought it was Robyn, feeling the base of classical music instead of her usual death metal, but this thought didn't quench my need to go investigate. As I approached the piano room, the music got louder, and I was able to recognise the repeat of a handful of notes from the violin player. I stood in the arch of the open doors and watched Mia playing at her grand piano, a wide grin on her face, with Mrs Borski to the side, occasionally correcting a note change, but was otherwise focused on the violin player.

Alexis fiddled with the strings almost skilfully, crooning out long, enchanting notes as she swayed and stepped side to side. When she made the final note, Mia stopped with her, the teacher and student giving Alexis applause. I joined in.

"You never cease to amaze me, Alexis," I commented as she placed the instrument on a table beside her.

"Thanks, but don't be too impressed. I don't know any songs, just depressing-ass notes," Alexis countered.

"Don't be silly, dearie. That was lovely," Mrs Borski assured, "When I have time, I'm more than happy to give you some pointers."

Alexis offered a nod, "That would be splendid. But I'm not a musician, Mrs Borski. I'm already an artist cliché."

"Oh, but you have an untapped gift, my dear," the pianist informed pinching Alexis' cheek.

"When did we get a violin?" I asked.

"Figured it would be a good next step for Mia in her musical interests," Mrs Borski informed, "It was either violin or the trumpet. And I figured having an eleven-year-old blasting a trumpet wouldn't be sensible." I liked watching Mrs Borski move, she had an old lady waddle where she shuffled instead of lifting her feet.

"I'm tempted to bring a trumpet in just to see you play, Mrs Borski," I informed, wondering if it would be like the cartoons where the old lady loses her teeth from blowing too hard into the trumpet.

My words were met with a light chuckle, but her attention returned to Mia, and they continued with their lesson, ignoring Alexis and my existence. Alexis made her way over to me, offering a smile as she slipped her hands into my back pockets and leant her head on my shoulder.

"Seems Mia's adjusted pretty well," I commented, watching Mia continue her scales, "You know, considering."

Alexis hummed. "Screw adjusted. She's like a completely different person now," she lifted her head, her blind eyes looking at me, "She actually said thank you to Robyn the other day, with actual words. Ava described it as like a little mouse squeak. Everyone was freaking out."

I nodded, "Bonnie must be happy. It's certainly a start."

"She got really worried her parents were going to pull them out of school. Hell, pull them off the continent with how pedantic she made them sound," Alexis informed.

"It had to have come up. The four of them went away for two weeks, I doubt they were talking about pudding recipes or something," I replied.

Alexis scoffed, "Pudding recipes?"

I shrugged, "My family hasn't gotten together since Christmas. I don't know what people talk about!"

Alexis pulled her hands from my pockets, laughing as she walked out of the room. "I can only speak from my experience, but it sure as hell ain't pudding recipes," she called, "Also when Mia is done, can you tell her to gather in the kitchen? I've got a big announcement for everyone!"

I frowned, following her out of the room and calling out to her, "What announcement?"

She turned to face me, a broad smile on her face as she continued walking to the stairwell backwards, "I'm not telling. But it's very exciting!" she squealed in delight, giggling as she started up the stairs.

I clicked my tongue, trying not to laugh at her giggling. She never giggled like that.

I stood with Mia at the front door and waved Mrs Borski away a half an hour later. When the piano teacher hopped into her car, I told Mia about the announcement Alexis had.

"What about?" Mia signed.

I shrugged, "It's a surprise, I guess."

When we entered the kitchen, everyone else had already assembled at the dining table, with Alexis sitting on the kitchen countertop at the head of the room. "Yay, we're all here!" Alexis announced, gesturing for us to sit. "I've been given some exciting news that I didn't want to jinx until it was finalised and such," she began standing on her own, "Recently, the school entered some of my artworks in an international art exhibition, where I won second place and got the attention of some big wigs in the art world." The more she spoke, the wider her smile became and the more physically giddy she got as she pulled on her fingers and rocked on her heels. "I got a sponsorship offer from a retired artist, Morgan Quinmo, who is organising an art exhibition of a variety of works, and wants my works as one of the main collections."

Ava and I were the first to react, the others offering puzzled looks. Estelle was the first comment, "Which means…?"

Alexis chuckled, "They're holding a proper event and inviting important people specifically to see and examine my works." She produced a small pile of coloured paper and held them out for the table to grab. "It's been described as 'a profound and original take on how people can view the world.' Being blind in this instance isn't seen as a hindrance."

Bonnie gasped as she looked at the flyer, "So you're getting your own exhibition?" she awed.

Alexis shook her head, "Not exactly. There are me and a handful of other artists showing off their works at one exhibit. But we all get to mingle with some greats and demonstrate our works. It should be amazing."

The flyer was a galaxy navy background with 'FEATURING NEWCOMER ALEXIS BAINE' printed in bright white letters at the top, underneath it lists some of the guests of honour, the other artists, as well as times and dates. "That's my specific flyer. All the featured artists have their own version."

"October," Ava stated, "That's a month away."

Alexis nodded, "Quite a few promising people will be there. So, if I play my cards right, my New York Artist dream may be much closer then I thought."

"Closer?" Bonnie asked.

Alexis nodded, her grin flattening slightly as she explained, "Closer, yes. It's expected that, even if I don't end up in New York, that someone is going to take me on as an artist because of this exhibition. A big promise, I know, but I've already gotten some promising offers in the works. I have enough credits to graduate from White Winter Prep already, and I will be off before the end of the year if that's the case."

There was a long pause amongst us as the information settled. We had never discussed it, but Alexis does graduate this year and would be leaving, the school and this town only being a step in her grand plan. With that also came a bunch of other uncertainties for us; would we be in the same dorm next year? Would we all be roommates again? Did we have a choice? Would get another roommate to replace Alexis? Did we all plan on staying at White Winter Prep?

I could almost hear these questions bouncing around, slowly bringing down the mood of what was supposed to be happy news.

I stood up, "Alexis, this is incredible!" I walked around the table and hugged her, "I'm really happy for you." Everyone managing to mimic my perkiness as they crowded Alexis with hugs and praises and congratulations.

I backed away from the oncoming crowd, looking at the flyer I had accidentally crushed in my hand. In a panic, I tried to straighten it out again, but the creases were still there. I sighed, shaking my head at how silly I was being, and forced another smile.

"What's the theme of your exhibition?" Estelle asked, eager to know and maybe even see a peek as to what she was going to present.

"That's another surprise I want to keep secret for as long as possible," Alexis informed, "Just know that it's very important to me, and I would love for you all to make it to the exhibition, to support me."

Ava nodded, "Alexis, we wouldn't miss it for the world. Would we?"

The girls all cheered in agreement, their happiness contagious as even my smile became less forced and I finally became genuinely happy for Alexis.

*

I could feel Alexis rubbing circles into my chest, clearly not asleep as she rested her head against my shoulder.

I couldn't sleep either.

Even though I was happy for her, it was finally dawning on me that this was gonna happen, and we hadn't really discussed what that meant for us… aside from…

"So, New York, huh?" I felt like I was talking to the darkness.

Her circling stopped as she sighed, "That's the plan."

I puffed up my cheeks. "Are we going to talk about what the means?"

I felt Alexis' jaw clench as she quickly answered, "Nope."

I frowned, "Alexis-"

"Please," Alexis cut me off, nuzzling her face into my shoulder as her arms tightened around me, "Not now."