A/N: So sorry for the long wait, college is getting very busy, but we would really appreciate it if you would all review :). We would like to know what you think of the story so far. Thanks for the alerts, favorites, and reviews as well :)
Disclaimer: We do not own Fright Night, but we do own anything you do not recognize.
Chapter Six
"Piper, are you ready yet? The Gala starts at 7 but we have to be there at 6, especially you since you have to set up your painting," I hear Alissa call.
"Yes, just give me five minutes!" I call from the bathroom.
"It is 5:30 now and it takes, almost twenty to thirty minutes to get there!"
I let out a sigh and quickly finish my makeup. Once I am done, I exit the bathroom.
"There, I am ready. Are you happy now?" I ask annoyed as I make my way to the living room, where Alissa is standing by the door.
"Yes," she smiles, "Now let's go!" she orders.
I grab my painting from the easel and make my way over to the door. Once I reach the door, I put on my black heels and follow Alissa out of the apartment.
We reach the warehouse at exactly 6. Once we park the car we get out.
"Are you ready for this?" Alissa asks me as we walk to the entrance of the warehouse.
"Ready as I will ever be," I say and take a deep breath.
"I don't understand why you are so nervous," she says, stopping as we reach the entrance. She turns and faces me. "Your painting is great. I am sure people are going to like it. Don't sell yourself so short," she says with a smile, and pats my arm comfortingly.
"Thanks," I say with a smile feeling a little more confident, "How are you not nervous? This is going to be your first major article. Are you not afraid of messing up?" I ask.
"Nah," she says with a big smile, "I am so ready for this."
I let out a little laugh in response. "You are very confident, you know that?" I say.
"I know," she says with an even bigger smile, "Now let's go!" she says grabbing my arm and dragging me into the building. I hang on to my painting tightly not wanting to drop it.
"I am sorry but the gala doesn't start until 7," a lady standing at the door with a clipboard says to us.
"I am here as a reporter for the Vegas Daily," Alissa says showing the woman her I.D. for the paper, "And she is here to set up her painting," Alissa informs the woman.
"Name?" she asks turning her attention to me.
"Piper Lewis," I answer.
She looks through the papers attached to her clipboard, which I am assuming is a list.
"Ah, Piper Lewis," she reads, "If you will follow me, I will take you to where you need to set up your painting," she says and begins walking.
Alissa and I follow behind her.
"Here we are, just make sure you are set up by 7," she says.
"Ok," I say beginning to take my painting out of the carrying case I have it in.
"Nice painting," she says looking at it.
"Thank you," I say with a smile and then she leaves.
"See, she liked it and I am sure everyone else will too," Alissa says with her hands on her hips and an 'I told you so' look on her face.
"We will truly see once the people arrive," I say as I put my painting onto the easel that is provided.
Alissa rolls her eyes and grabs a hold of my arm. "Come on let's go mingle with the artist that are here," she says as she begins pulling me toward a group of people.
"I don't want to, and the only reason you do is because of your article you have to do," I say, while planting my feet firmly on the ground so she can't pull me.
"Well yeah, but I don't want to be antisocial either and neither should you," she says giving a hard tug on my arm which almost makes me lose my balance.
I let out an annoyed sigh but this time follow willingly.
I do not really talk much to the other artist but we all do show each other our paintings, which was nice and they were really good.
Finally 7:00 rolls around and the guests start arriving.
I make my way to stand by my painting, leaving Alissa to mingle with the guests and everyone else on her own.
"That is a very lovely painting. Are you the artist?" An elderly woman asks.
"Yes I am, and thank you," I say with a smile.
"I must say you did an excellent job. Did you paint this from a picture, and if so where was it taken?" she questions, turning her attention away from my painting to look at me.
"Umm, actually I painted it from memory. That is actually my backyard, well was my backyard until I moved here," I explain.
"That is amazing, what a beautiful place and an excellent memory you must have," she compliments with a smile.
"Thank you so much," I say, delighted that she liked it.
"You are very welcome, a good artist deserves to know they are good," She says with a smile and then walks away.
She was so sweet and what a nice thing to say. I think as I look around the building at all the different people.
I spot Alissa by one of the catering people. I see her grab a glass of champagne from his tray and then make her way to a large group of people.
She begins talking with them and then I notice her take a few pictures.
"Lovely painting," I hear someone say.
"Yes very," another person agrees.
I look and see it is a younger couple.
"Thank you," I smile.
"You are welcome," the man says with a smile of his own. He then grabs his wife's hand and they make their way through the crowd to another piece of art.
*Jerry's POV*
I look at the clock on my wall and see it is 8:00. The art gala had started an hour ago but it was still too light for me to go outside.
I grab my suit jacket from the couch and then exit my apartment.
I had heard the girls talking about the gala for the past week and I thought that it would be the perfect time to observe Piper from afar, to see how she does around people and such. I don't really care about Alissa, but since they are friends I need to see how much of an obstacle that is going to provide for me.
I make it out of the apartment building and to my truck in no time. I quickly climb in, start it up, and begin driving to the warehouse where the gala is being held.
By the time I arrive at the warehouse it is 8:30.
I park in the parking lot, exit my car, and then make my way into the building.
As soon as I enter the building I look around. There are a ton of people here, but I spot Piper in no time.
She is standing by her painting looking around the room.
She doesn't seem like a people person, so that could work to my advantage. I think with a smirk. Poor girl, if only she knew the plans I have for her.
"Would you like a drink, sir?" someone asks breaking me out of my thoughts.
I look to see it is one of the caterers who had spoken.
"No thanks," I reply and she quickly walks away.
I look around and soon spot her friend Alissa talking to a group of people while writing things down in a notebook occasionally.
That is right, she works for the paper. I think as I make my way closer to Piper, but making sure she doesn't see me at the same time.
"What a lovely painting dear!" an elderly man compliments.
"Thank you," she says with a smile.
Apparently she doesn't take compliments well. I think as I watch her shift uncomfortably, although it is just slightly and to a normal person they would think she is shifting her weight, but I can hear her heart rate increase.
"You're welcome dear," he says and then walks away.
I watch as she blushes and pushes the hair out of her face.
She looks so uncomfortable in this large group of people. Even when she is with me she is extremely shy and self-conscious. I think. I will have to change that, well at least when she is around me anyway. This is good around the other people and since she is such a wallflower she probably doesn't really now anyone in this city. Yes, this will definitely work to my advantage. I think as I smirk.
I walk away from her to the opposite side of the room and look at a few paintings as I go, so I blend in. I finally end up at the wall and lean against it while still watching and listening to Piper, while occasionally doing the same with Alissa.
After a while I see Alissa leave and glance at my cellphone to see it is now 10:00 PM.
I wonder when this is over. I think as I look around.
Finally after what seems like forever, people begin packing up.
I spot Piper and she that she is already packed up and heading out the door.
Time to go. I think as I begin to make my way out of the building.
*Piper's POV*
I am glad that, that is over. I think as I close my car door and start my car up.
I glance at the clock on the radio and see that is midnight.
Wow, who knew a gala could last that long, although they could for all I know, I mean that was my first one. I think as I drive.
Finally, I reach our apartment building and park in the parking lot.
Once parked, I hop out of the car, and grab, my painting.
The only reason I have the car is because Alissa left early and said she was going to take a cab.
I quickly make my way to the apartment building. Once I am inside, I hurry up the stairs to our floor.
As I reach our door, someone's voice stops me.
I turn around to see that it is Jerry.
"Hi," I smile.
"Out a little late aren't we?" he asks as he walks over to me.
"Well, I had this art gala and it just got done a little while ago," I explain.
"How did it go?" he asks.
"Well umm, I think it went ok. People seemed to like my painting now I just have to see if anyone will want to buy it," I say.
"I am sure someone will," he says reassuringly as he tucks a piece of my hair behind my ear.
"Thanks," I say and I can feel myself blush.
"No problem," he says with a smile. "I know it is late but would you like to come over?" he questions.
"Umm…" I start to say but then take a moment to think about it.
What harm could it do? I think as I look at the ground. I would only make sure I stayed for a little bit.
"Yeah that would…." I start to say but am cut off by the sound of a door opening.
"Sorry to interrupt, but I need your help with something Piper," Alissa says.
"Oh ok," I say. "Just give me a second," I tell her and she nods her head and closes the door.
Well so much for going over to his apartment. I think.
"Hey, I am sorry but she said she needs my help so maybe next time," I tell Jerry.
"That is alright, I understand," he says. "Are we still on for tomorrow though?" he asks.
"Oh yeah, definitely!" I say with a smile.
"Alright, I will be over at 8:00 tomorrow night to pick you up," he says and then walks back over to his apartment and goes inside.
"Ok," I say excitedly and then open the door to our apartment and step inside. "What did you need help on?" I ask Alissa as I walk over to the kitchen table where she is sitting.
"With my article, I haven't interviewed you yet or got a picture of your art work," she explains.
"Oh, ok. Well then let's get this interview started," I say.
"Alright," she says and begins asking me questions.
Once she is done with everything she needs to ask me and takes a picture of my piece, it is 2:00 in the morning.
"I am going to be," I say as I yawn.
"Alright, goodnight," Alissa calls as I walk to my room.
"Night," I call back as I reach it.
I open the door to my room, step insides, quickly change into my night clothes, and then go to the bathroom to brush my teeth.
Once I finish brushing my teeth I go back to my room and flop down on my bed. Soon enough sleep finds me.