Disclaimer: Yeah, you know.
The couple talked and laughed through their meals, each sharing a bit with the other, the candles on the tables around them giving them each a glow about them. Eli refused to even let Holly J split the check with him, saying that it wasn't a real date if she paid for part of it. They declined dessert, Eli explaining that he had that in mind for later and they left the restaurant.
"So, Miss Sinclair, what do you want to do now?" Eli asked, a small smirk playing on his lips as their fingers entwined. He thought the date was going pretty well, save for the little discussion about their future. As much as he hated to do it, he forced himself to push the thought from his mind, at least until after tonight.
"I thought you had this whole night planned? Or was that just some clever way to get me off your back?" she teased, walking slowly along the pier. The lights from the city reflected in the water, throwing dancing stars on her legs. Eli pulled her to him, giving her a little spin and dip, not wanting to waste the moment.
"Oh, believe me, it's planned. I just want to know if there is something else you would rather be doing?" he explained with a cheeky grin as they started walking again.
"Something else other than walking along the waterfront, the city in the background, on a beautiful night with my handsome and sexy boyfriend? Nope, nothing else comes to mind…"
"Handsome and sexy? I mean, I always knew I was handsome but sexy too? You know, I don't put out until the third date," he joked.
"Shut up," she laughed, leaning over to give him a quick peck, "So, where are we going?"
"Right…. here," he said as they walked up to a brown brick and glass building with a spire jutting out of the middle of it, spelling out it's name in lights. It had a sort of greenhouse looking room attached to it that they could see a few sculptures through.
"The Power Plant? What is this place?" Holly J asked, slightly confused.
"It's an art museum…" Eli answered hesitantly. He had thought that she had mentioned that she liked to draw and sketch when she had the time, but the way she was acting made him nervous. He kicked himself mentally. He knew he should have gone for a movie. She had even said that she wanted to see that new Joss Whedon film, "If you don't want to, we could always…"
"No, I want to," she interrupted softly, "I've just never heard of this place. How did you find it?" Growing up here, Holly J had been to a few of the museums and art galleries in Toronto, whether for school or for her own pleasure. It was odd for her to not know of a museum.
"My parents used to take me here as a kid…" He started as they walked in and she gave him a look as if to say 'really?' "Uh, no. I found it on Google when I was looking to see which train station would be closest to the restaurant," he admitted with a chuckle. She nodded with a smile as they got tickets and waited to be let in. Since it was later at night, not many people were left, just the odd tourist or two. They entered the first exhibition room and stood, both of them blinking a few times at a piece.
"So… it's…" Eli tried, turning his head slightly sideways, his mouth not really being able to form the correct words to describe what he was looking at.
"Modern… art," she deadpanned as she bit her lip to keep from laughing. Eli cracked a smile and took a breath, composing himself.
"Well, see, obviously the artist is trying to convey a sense of loneliness in today's society. What do you think?" Holly J looked over at him and started to giggle.
"It's a suitcase with a wife beater on it," she laughed. Eli couldn't help but join her. There was no skill involved in making it. How did this type of thing pass for art? The guard at the entrance for the next room looked at them, giving them a stern eye.
"Maybe the next one will be better?" he suggested as they walked forwards, stopping in front of a door that was leaning against the wall. The top portion of the door had a window in it, "Freed Doorway," he read from the little plaque that hung next to it.
"I wasn't aware that doors needed to be liberated," Holly J mused.
"Of course they do. All they do is swing open and closed at their master's will, never being able to make their own decisions. It's a horrible life to live."
"Oh, well, I'm sorry. I'll apologize to all my doors and make sure to set them free when I get home," she laughed, "I mean, at least paint the thing. Give it some sort of artistic value. But this? This is just leftovers from the hardware store. This isn't art."
'It kind of reminds me of that guy who ripped a urinal off a wall and signed it, calling it art. It was this huge, important piece that the critics loved and was sold for way too much money. It's a urinal. You pee in it. That's it." Eli explained. Obviously, he should have done a little more research into what kind of museum this was, but nonetheless, Holly J seemed to be having a good time making fun of all the "art." The guard made a noise to catch their attention and held a finger to his lips, telling them to be quiet. They both immediately got serious but only broke down into giggles moments later.
"Hey," Holly J whispered, poking Eli in the ribs, "Have you ever seen the film Bande à Part?"
"No. It sounds French."
"It is. New Wave to be exact. What about The Dreamers?"
"No. Should I have?" he asked.
"Yes, you should. They are both excellent. The Dreamers is sort of porn though. Anyway, in both of them, the main characters decided to see how long it takes them to run through the Louvre…" Holly J said with a coy smile. Eli's eyes lit up in understanding and he returned her smile.
"As soon as we get past the guard, gun it," he whispered. She nodded and composed herself, turning casually towards the next room. Their hands entwined as their faces went to either of the walls, glancing at the other pieces of junk. The guard watched as they approached, furrowing his eyebrows at them. Holly J smiled and nodded as they passed.
"Go!" Eli yelled and he was off, Holly J not far behind him, her heels echoing off the walls. The guard yelled in surprise and chased after them, telling them to stop and other various threats of getting kicked out. They weaved in and out of people, Holly J stopping briefly to take her shoes off, and they rounded a corner, entering the huge glass room that was visible from the outside. Eli's hand never left hers as the skyline went flying by, the lights being merely shooting stars. They ran across a balcony and down some stairs, their shared laughter drowning out the commotion around them. They finally burst through the front doors and into the night, Eli turning so that she ran into his arms, his lips crashing into hers.
"The two of you are never welcome at the Power Plant ever again!" a manager-type lady yelled from the doorway. Holly J threw up her middle finger and kissed Eli deeper before pulling away for a moment.
"We don't want to see any of your shitty art anyway! Next time, try painting something more than a boombox!" she yelled back. The lady looked very offended but didn't say anything and turned away, going back inside. Holly J turned back towards Eli, a nervous smile on her face, "I hope you didn't have too many childhood memories of that place." Eli could only laugh even harder, resting his forehead against hers. He couldn't believe they actually did that. This girl was still full of surprises and he couldn't wait to experience more. Eli leaned in and kissed her again, this time tenderly, wanting her to know how happy she made him. Holly J only sighed into it, wrapping her arms around his waist.
"So, ice cream?" he suggested after they broke apart.
"Ice cream sounds wonderful."
A/N: You should totally watch Bande à Part, but you can skip The Dreamers. Anyway, once again thanks to Rochelle, Kasia, ToastMania, Steff, Lyssa, Ariel, and anyone else who's told me that they've been reading. It means so, so much to me. Also, I really don't know what I'm going to do without Holly J on the show. I'm going to miss her so much. Lastly, there is going to be a sequel. Thanks for reading! Review!