Art majors

Lily walked through the long halls of Grentford University. She was a college student, majoring in arts and society. Ever since she was little, she felt this non ending pull towards the world of art. She never got over the thrill of a wet paint brush on an easel. It was like she was in another world, one where anything and everything was possible.

Walking beside her was Joan and Neo. They were also art majors as well as her best friends. She could hear Joan talking but she couldn't bring herself to pay attention to what her best friend was saying. She couldn't get the memory of the night before out of her head. Her encounter with Asher and her insane reaction. She didn't regret reacting that way, but she would have reacted differently if she had known who he was.

"Lily, yo Lily, you here?" Joan shoved Lily's shoulder lightly, bringing her back to the present.

"Yes of course." Lily replaced her blank stare with a forced smile.

"Let's get this interview over with already." she added, nervously hugging the books she was holding closer to her chest.

When the three of them walked by, Asher noticed a familiar scent brush lightly against his nose as he made his way to the university department. He even paused and looked around for someone he might have known but he found no one. His brain told him he knew the scent but couldn't tell him who owned the scent.

Shoving the slight distraction to the back of his head, he walked into the department of arts hall. The relieved eyes of Mr Witz, the arts professor, met with his.

"Mr Asher," he walked to Asher, stretching out his hand when he was close enough.

"It's nice to have you with us today." he added as both men shook hands briefly.

"Thank you for having me." Asher responded out of courtesy.

He was shown to his seat at the table with the three other members of the interview panel. After he closed the art deal with the Arabian Monarchy, the university of Grentford invited him to take a few art majors to help with his contract, as well as give them some experience.

Once he agreed and word went out that a major art enthusiast was going to pick a few students from the school, the art students went crazy. No one knew who was coming and everyone was excited to find out. Having to add an experience such as that into their CV was going to boost their chances of recognition in the art world.

Asher took his seat and they were ready to begin their interview. Student after student, he interviewed and asked a series of nerve racking questions. Some he accepted, others he rejected. All the while Lily was outside the hall, waiting patiently and anxiously for her turn. When it was time for Joan's turn, she went in excitedly.

When she realized who the art enthusiast was, her eyes beamed for joy. Asher was the least excited to see her and did not bother with asking too many questions. After impatiently listening to her answer the questions that were thrown at her, he blatantly rejected her without asking questions of his own.

"She's one of our brightest students sir." Mr Witz chipped in when he turned her down.

"I don't like her face." he replied without emotion before turning back to Joan. "Thank you for coming, you may leave."

Joan's eyes fell, her shoulders dropped. Her heart was crushed without any valid reason. She slowly made her way out of the small hall to the expectant eyes of both her friends.

"Did you get in?" Neo stretched out his arms towards her in excitement.

When they realized she had a long face, their excited eyes lowered and so did their voices.

"What happened in there?" Lily reached out for Joan's hand, anxiously waiting for her to say something.

Before Joan could respond, "Lily Grant," their attention was taken away by a loud voice. They looked up to realize Lily was called upon. It was her turn.

"Good luck Lily." Joan mumbled with her head resting on Neo's shoulder. He had already gone through his interview and was accepted.

Lily nervously walked to the hall. Placing her hand on the door, she took a deep breath before pushing it open and walking in. Her anxiety was replaced with horror when she looked up to notice who sat at the interview panel. Her eyes widened, her jaw threatening to drop.

Almost simultaneously, Asher looked up. The moment he realized who had just walked in, a sinister grin formed on his lips. He barely smiled, but this moment was deserving of one.

"Lily Grant, isn't it?" he asked like he didn't already know.

Lily swallowed hard. Never in a thousand universes could she have imagined this would happen. She saw the way he smiled and it scared her.

"Yes." she mumbled, afraid that he would outrightly reject her, but at the same time hoping that he would not.

Asher watched in satisfaction as she tried to hide her discomfort. He listened to the other members of the panel ask her their questions, as well as listen for her answers. He watched as her gaze would occasionally dart towards him before quickly returning to her feet or whoever was speaking.

"Your questions Mr Asher." Mr Witz said to him when they were satisfied with her answers.

"No." he whispered, looking intently at Lily who tried not to shake as she kept his gaze.

"She's in." he muttered with a smile on his face.

Lily didn't know how to feel. Of course she was excited that she got the opportunity people paid money for, but on the other hand it was with Asher. The man she poured wine on the night before.

As she turned to make her way out of the hall, Asher smiled to himself. He promised himself that he wasn't going to let her slip away a third time, and now he was sure she wasn't going anywhere.