V

EARS

~

t your hands togeth

t. I didn't expect I'd have to go on stage anytime soon, but I guess tha

s Christ. There must be at least a hundred people sitting in this room, all of them pining over the d

u

g presenter hands me a microphone to address the crowd. Eve

mile twitches in agitation, and he pu

e must be thousands of p

vous I am. That's not what I need right now, all these rich art collectors thinking I'm

ouldn't accept another excuse for my late payment of the rent. I'd be on the streets b

comes out shaky as I mentally curse myself. Already, mo

esn't help my

ame i

ipple of laughter to run through the crowd. I hope my face do

ll exce

rms are crossed across his chest, and even in one of the most fine-pressed suits I've ever seen in my life, a suit I'm sure could pay my rent for t

if they can see all the hideous secrets I've kept hidden. Like he can see ri

me for another month, but maybe the leftover money could help pay me

venated by my goal not to b

, and I have three pai

aid of the people here. Some of them have even leaned in to listen as I talk about my second piece, Sun

iece, however, the large doors of the gallery glide o

ping my spee

, and his head is lowered so I have no chance of glimps

with a clatter that makes the speakers whine. I watch as p

started with me 4 years ago, but I can't. I can't do anything. I'm frozen and sure I'm on the verge of a pani

not

tion I've messed up. The art collectors are murmuring between themselve

nd fumble for the microphone, trying

m sor

tion, a fake smile plastered on his face

or that, everyone. Ms Allard is one of our amateur art

out in laughter, none of them taking me serious

about their art. I feel like I can see my rent money just slipping through my hands. It almost makes me break my prom

eyed man by my painting rise, stretching to at least 6 feet. Even thoug

ntion, and right now, he has everyone mesmer

." His deep voi

aracter. He takes a moment to recollect himself, h

nclair, you'l

hy does that s

" He clarifies,

y s

sure, sir? There's supposed to be an auction for

brow that shuts the pr

$100,000." H