Signing: Underlined

Signing and Talking: Bold and Underlined

I do not own SaB

News was traveling fast around the gallery, and Bay, who had spent the past hour in the performing arts section of the show, had only just heard it. Someone had been looking at her painting for the past half an hour. Bay couldn't believe it and went back to the painting showroom to see for herself.

The room was crowded; a young painting prodigy was having a small meet up and multiple critics and sponsors had come to see her. Bay could barely see the back of the room, but was able to squeeze her way the other end and approached the person standing in front of…

"EMMETT!"

The red head didn't hear her. Well of course he didn't hear her. What was she supposed to do? Why didn't she know he was here?

Well of course he's here, YAOLA would be stupid not to show his work. He was always such a wonderful… No Bay stop. Of course he's here. He's Emmett, a young artist of Los Angeles. And this is an art exhibit, for young artists of Los Angeles!

Bay reached for her Featured Artists pamphlet and flipped to Photography. How could she have missed his name? But his name wasn't there.

But of course! Film.

She turned the page to Film. And yes his subscription was there:

EMMETT BLEDSOE

Age: 18

Residence: Los Angeles

Works:

He/She- Jensen Gallery Theater

(Copies available at front entrance)

I guess I have to say hello. I mean he knows I'm here.

She took a deep breath and tapped his shoulder. Emmett turned his head, and immediately recognized her. Then gave her a tentative half smile.

"Hi," he signed.

"Hi," she said/signed back.

"I didn't know you had stayed in LA. I assumed you went home to KC."

"Yeah, well nope. Here I am!"

"You look great. The artist life suits you," he smirked, "You know what else looks great?"

Bay raised her eyebrows.

"Your art," he signed gesturing to one of her paintings.

It was Timeline #2.

After Bay told her about her relationship with Emmett, Mia took Bay out for smoothies (it became something of a tradition), and told her to take her feelings out in her art, telling her that is what true art is, pure human emotion. Following Mia's suggestion, Bay created a set of paintings, Timeline #1 and Timeline #2. Timeline #1 was created as a sort of replica of Emmett's timeline. It displayed all of the best moments of Bay and Emmett's relationship, but Bay didn't label any of the time increments- so it became the timeline of a generic healthy relationship. This was a business move; if someone bought the piece they would buy it because it related to them, not just Bay, the artist. All the same, it was still an extremely personal piece, but not as personal as Timeline #2, Timeline #1's partner in crime. Depicted in Timeline #2 was everything that had gone awry in their relationship.

Of course this is the piece he's been staring at!

"I can really relate to this piece. When I look at, I can't help but feel what the artist felt. Like I actually lived through this relationship with her. It's so resonating."

"Oh, um, about that,"

Emmett mimed laughter.

"It's okay, Bay. I totally understand. For what it's worth, it's a truly extraordinary piece."

"Thank you," Bay replied, "How are you?"

"I'm good. School's good. How about you?"

"Oh you know. I'm good. Art's good."

"Good."

"Yep."

This is becoming awkward way too fast.

"Okay, what are you doing here?"

"I'm showing my movie," he signed with a slight jolt of his head, as if it was obvious.

"I know that, but why are you here, looking at my art?"

"Because it's your art. How could I not? Have you seen my movie?"

"No."

"Why?"

"First of all, because I didn't know you were here. Second, it's your movie!"

"I think you should."

"For what purpose, Emmett?"

"Please. For me?"

"Oh yeah, like that's a compelling argument."

She saw the sincere look on his face.

"Fine!"

This time he gave her a full smile and pointed to the direction to where they were supposed to go. The two walked past the Sculpture wing, the Dance rooms, and the Photography gallery, before they reached a door leading out of the building.

"The Film show rooms are in a separate building."

They left the YA gallery and crossed a courtyard to a tan building whose side had the words JENSEN GALLERY emblazoned on it in metal lettering. Emmett opened the door for Bay, who entered gazing up at the voluminous ceiling.

"Wow, that's incredible. How come you get your own building?"

"I know. Fancy right? You'll see."

He led her to a corridor made up of walls that looked like they were sliced in two. On each half wall was a name and title:

EMILY WASHINGTON: The Other Side of the Ocean

MARK DAVIS: Standing Alone

SARAHY TOLDEM: On Nothing But Everything

And so on. They kept walking down the plush red aisle way until they reached:

EMMETT BLEDSOE: He/She

"Here we go"

The interior of the room looked like a mini movie theater; it was halfway full of people who had shown up for the screening. Emmett and Bay sat down next to two girls who were trying to figure out how someone who's deaf can direct a movie. With an exasperated sigh, Bay turned to Emmett.

"When does this start?"

"Any minute. Be patient."

Over a loud speaker, a voice with no body told the audience to silence their cell phones and to enjoy the production. Then an ocean landscape appeared on the screen.

"It's starting," signed Emmett, completely oblivious to the fact that the voice had just told Bay.

Bay settled back into her chair and watched the screen as the title He/She faded into the ocean mist in the atmosphere. The actor who played Emmett appeared and addressed the audience by signing from from the screen: "I'm going to tell you a story. A story of how a deaf boy fell in love for the first time with a hearing girl. Nobody ever thought their relationship was going to work out, but it did."

As the movie was nearing its end, Bay knew that it was because it essentially was her story; she had to admit to herself that it was beautifully done, but she wasn't looking forward to the final scene. It wasn't what she expected. After the break up scene had happened, the Emmett actor appeared in the screen again: "Okay maybe it didn't work out. But the story isn't over. All great stories are never over. Tell me if a deaf boy falling in love with a hearing girl isn't something great? The relationship might not have survived, but the story did."

The film ended with Bay sitting in complete shock. She leapt up from her seat.

"That was great Emmett, but I, I really have to go. My friend Mia is waiting for me and…"

She turned to leave, but Emmett tapped her shoulder.

"Wait, Bay! Do you want to something over the weekend?"

"I don't know. I have to go."

With that she left the show room, then left the lobby with the voluminous ceiling, then left the Jensen Gallery. When Bay reached the other building, she pulled her phone out of her handbag to text Mia.

Bay: Let's go now.

Mia: Sure. I'm ready. The red head turned out to be deaf! Go figure! So that's so not happening.

Bay: Haha. K. Be there in a min. Meet at Painting Show room.

Oh god! Mia was flirting with Emmett!

Back at her paintings, Bay saw that Over Seas had been bought. When Mia came back she automatically realized that too.

"Congratulations!" she said.

"Thanks. We have to pick up the check at the front entrance."

"Sounds like a plan!"

The two girls made their way to the front of the YA gallery, picked up Bay's check, and got into Mia's Mini Cooper. Bay still hadn't gotten a new car after she had to leave the Thing behind in KC.

"Yay! You just had had your first gallery showing! Want to go get celebratory smoothies?"

After what just happened, Bay didn't feel like celebrating.

"I'm gonna have to pass on the offer "

"Oh. Sure. Is everything okay?"

"Yeah, just fine. I'm a bit tired though. I just want to go home."

"Kay. Here we go."

Ding! Bay's text alert went off.

Geez, Mia. I get it! Congratulations on your first art show!

NEW TEXT FROM EMMETT

Emmett: Hey Bay. Just wondering if you wanted to get BBQ sometime this week. I think I found a place better than Alabama Al's.

She had to respond.

Bay: No way. I don't believe you.

Emmett: So I take that as a yes.

Bay: Ummmm

Emmett: Ok, see you on Saturday

Bay: Fine

Emmett: Yes!

Bay: What?

Emmett: It's our new chapter.

Bay: To what?

Emmett: Our story.

A big thank you to all who read my story! Also, thank you so much to all the people who left wonderful reviews- keep them coming :) Like before, please comment and leave constructive criticism if you'd like. Hope you enjoyed- M