A/N:
Firstly, I'd just like to say that I had this chapter ready to go on Friday but of the course FF was down for repairs. Blah.
Anyway, here it is and you guys are in for something crazy.
I'd like to take this moment to give a shout out to Lala-Pll-Time just to say she's the only one who caught on, ya'll should really pay attention to what she says from now on ;P
Keep reading, you'll find out what I mean soon enough.
I've been waiting to get to this point in the story since I started writing it.
Here it goes, please let me know what your opinions of it, i think I deserve it on with this one...
Read, Enjoy, Review.
2 weeks had gone by and Hanna had spent every day of them with Lewis, he even came to school to have lunch with her. He was soon and they were trying to spend as much time together as possible, they only had the next 2 days together and we understood why we weren't seeing that much of Hanna.
I was a little pissed that she had decided to spend ALL of her time with him, but Aria made me see sense when she told me to imagine if that was us not being able to see each other for an unknown amount of time, and the thought of it terrified me, which made me realise I was being an ass and I should accept that once Lewis had gone back to London, we would see more of her. I wanted her to be happy and be able to spend as much time with him as possible, so I let it go. Plus it was nice to see Aria really caring about something again, meaning I could relax a little with my constant worrying whether she was okay or not.
Since Lewis was leaving in 2 days and Hanna wanted to spend all of tomorrow with him alone before he had to go to the airport, Aria and I had planned to go out for dinner tonight with both him and Hanna. I asked Emily but she mumbled something about a wheel and then said she had homework to do.
I was putting the final touches to my outfit when I heard a knock on my door. I turned around to see Aria standing there, looking beautiful as always.
"Hey there hot stuff" I winked as I walked over to her and kissed her softly.
"Hey yourself, are you almost ready to go? The reservation is for 8."
"Yup, let me just grab my stuff." I picked up my bag and threw my phone into it before Aria and I made our way downstairs and out the door.
I drove to the restaurant where we were meeting Hanna and Lewis and pulled up outside. Giving my keys to the valet and taking a ticket. Aria and I made our way inside and quickly spotted Hanna and Lewis sitting at the bar, Hanna caught my eye and excitedly waved us over.
"Hi guys!" she said jumping from her seat and hugging us both, before Lewis followed suit. Over the past couple of weeks we had all grown to love Lewis. I was especially grateful for his presence since he seemed to have a positive effect on Aria, which made it that much easier for her to handle everything that had happened over the past few weeks.
Soon after Aria and I had arrived, we were shown to our table and quickly began to examine our menus. Lewis and I ordered steaks and Hanna and Aria had both gone for pasta dishes.
As we talked over dinner I couldn't help but notice sadness in Hanna's eyes. I could see how much she liked Lewis, and it was pretty obvious that she was going to miss him when he was gone. I made a mental note to talk to her after dinner. The second thing that I noticed was how cute they were together, and how much Lewis seemed to care about her.
After we had finished our food and settled the bill, we decided to go for a walk through the park; it was my idea, since I needed some time to talk to Hanna.
Hanna and Lewis walked through the gates talking quietly and holding hands while Aria and I followed after.
"Hey Ar, I need to talk to Hanna can you keep Lewis company for a few minutes?" I whispered down to her.
"Sure, is everything okay?" she asked worriedly.
"Oh yeah it's fine I just need to ask her something." We quickly caught up with them and I linked my arm with hers.
"Hey Han, can I talk to you for a second?" I asked and she gave me a confused look.
"Can it wait? Lewis and I were in the middle of an important conversation." She pleaded.
"It's okay sweetheart, I actually needed to speak to Aria about something." He said smiling...
"You do?" Aria asked looking confused.
"Okay, just be quick." Hanna reluctantly let go of Lewis' hand and began walking with me.
I turned around and gave Aria a smile, noticing her still confused expression as her and Lewis began walking toward a bench located a few feet away from where we had been moments ago.
"Okay Spence, what's this about?" Hanna asked.
"Are you okay?" I asked.
"What? Yeah, I'm fine?"
"It's just you looked a little sad at dinner, I know Lewis is leaving and you guys have been so close the past couple of weeks, I'm just worried about you." I said as we sat down on a bench ourselves. As soon as the words left my mouth she sighed loudly.
"I'm gonna miss him so much Spence, I mean I really like him. When we were talking before I didn't let myself get too involved because I knew what it meant. I knew I would just end up getting hurt, I knew we would never be able to be together properly, we live too far away from each other and we live completely different lives. I've had such an amazing time with him while he's been here but I just don't know what will happen to us when he leaves."
I was expecting tears from my friend right about now, but nothing came. She was upset and I knew she would be because she was going to miss him, but she wasn't crying. At that moment I knew exactly what would happen.
"Hanna, you need to give yourself a lot more credit. Look at you, you're not crying because he's leaving, you're upset but you understand. I know you're gonna miss him, but it's pretty obvious that you two have a really special relationship and even if it doesn't make it romantically, you are such good friends, after only 2 weeks. It's gonna be really hard on you when he leaves, we all knew that, but you'll get through it. You're so much stronger than you think, and I know that everything will work out for you the way it's supposed to."
Without a word, she smiled gratefully at me and pulled me into a tight hug. I rubbed her back soothingly while she spoke.
"Thank you Spencer. I know I give you a hard time but you mean so much to me, you're one of my best friends and I love you."
"I love you too Han, more than you know."
When we pulled back, I seen her shed a tear but she quickly wiped it away. I looked over her shoulder and noticed Aria and Lewis were nowhere in sight.
"Hey, where did Aria and Lewis go?"
-XXXX-
Aria's POV
When Spencer looked back at me it was pretty clear that she had no idea why Lewis had wanted to talk to me either, but she smiled her beautiful smile at me anyway.
"Why don't we sit down and talk over there?" I asked as we approached a bench nearby.
"Would you mind if we kept walking? I've just been having some back problems and it helps to walk it off." He smiled tightly at me.
"Okay sure… so, what do you need to talk to me about?"
"Well Hanna told me about what happened with Yale… I didn't want to bring it up before because it was so soon, but I'm leaving so…" he trailed.
"Oh. Um…" I started, unsure of what to say. I didn't like talking about it, and I'm he could tell."
"If you don't want to talk, it's okay. It's just that I have something I want to say about it, so all you have to do is listen." He looked at me, and I nodded for him to continue.
"Listen, I know what it's like to feel rejected, to feel like you don't belong, especially when the only place you feel accepted isn't actually where you fit in. I understand that. But when it comes to doing something you love, the only person or thing standing in your way, telling you that you aren't good enough, is yourself. I know how passionate you are about what you do and I know how much you love it, it was obvious the first day I met you. When I saw you drawing, it was clear to me that it was all you wanted to do. You need to see that Yale isn't everything. Not getting accepted does NOT define you; it's what you do from this point moving forward that defines you. If there is one thing I know for certain when it comes to you and what you love doing, it's that it doesn't matter where you are, as long as you hold onto your passion, everything else will just fall into place."
Maybe it was because he understood what I was going through, or maybe it was because he was outside of the immediate perspective on my life, but he was right. I can't believe I couldn't see all of this before. I was so caught up in Yale I forgot about the art, I forgot about what it meant to me.
"Lewis, you have no idea how much you've opened my eyes. You're completely right, you've given me a totally new outlook on this situation. Thank you." I pulled him close to me and hugged him tightly. I felt him tighten his hold on me and I could feel his lips curving into a smile, understanding that his words were not lost on me and that his message was received loud and clear.
"I'm glad I could help. You're not on your own in this, you've got some pretty great friends and one hell of a girlfriend. And you know you've got me too." He held my shoulders and looked at me when he pulled back from our hug.
"I know. I'm gonna miss you when you leave you know, we all are. It's been great having you here; I just hope it's not too long before you can visit again."
"I've really had a great time with you guys, it's gonna be so boring when I get back to London. And hey, you never know, we might see each other sooner than you'd think." He smiled at me.
"There you guys are!" Hanna yelled, sighing loudly when she caught up with us. "We didn't know where you went!"
Spencer was closely followed by Hanna and they were now making their way toward us. Lewis took Hanna's hand in his when she got close enough and Spencer did the same to me.
"Everything okay?" Spencer asked as she stood by my side.
"Everything is great." I answered honestly, and for the first time in a month I actually meant it.
-XXXX-
Aria's POV (ctd.)
After our walk and talk we made our way back to the restaurant as Spencer had parked her car there before dinner. We all got in the car and after turning on the car Spencer began driving toward Hanna's house to drop her and Lewis home.
When she pulled up outside, we all got out of the car, since this would be the last time we would get to see Lewis before he left and we wanted to say our goodbyes. Hanna hugged Spencer tightly when she had gotten around to the other side of the car, and she then hugged me a goodbye as well.
Lewis approached Spencer and smiled like he always did, she hugged him and he leaned down slightly. I heard him whispering something in her ear before pulling back and looking at her sternly.
"I know I do. And I won't, I promise." She said and he nodded in acknowledgement.
I wondered what he had said before I watched him walk over to me and he hugged me even tighter than normal, lifting me up slightly. He pulled back and reached into his jacket pocket, pulling something out quickly and slipping it in the pocket at the side of my own jacket.
"Remember what I said, okay?" he said.
"I will." I said smiling as a tear rolled down my cheek.
"Goodnight you guys." Hanna said hugging us again quickly before her and Lewis made their way inside while Spencer and I got back in her car and drove back to my house.
She pulled up a short while later and we both got out, making our way inside where my mom was sitting in the living room watching TV.
"Hey mom is it okay if Spencer stays for a little while?" I asked.
"Of course, good evening Spencer, how are you sweetheart?"
"I'm great thank you."
"Would you girls like some hot chocolate? I was just about to make some."
"I'd love some." I said happily.
"That would be great, thanks." Spencer smiled.
"Perfect, why don't you two sit down I'll have them done in a few minutes." My mom disappeared into the kitchen and Spencer and I sat down on the couch, where I slowly took out an envelope from my pocket.
"What's that?" Spencer asked.
"Lewis gave it to me before we left…" I said slowly, examining what he had put in my pocket a short while ago.
"Well, are you going to open it?" She asked as I sat there just staring at it.
"What? Oh! Yeah." After spacing out I focused on the envelope and slid a finger underneath the sealed part and slid it upwards, effectively freeing the contents of the envelope. I pulled out a thick bundle from the inside and opened it slowly.
A piece of paper which topped the large bundle was hand written, presumably by Lewis.
"What does it say?"
I opened it fully and began reading what was written on the sheet of paper aloud:
'Aria,
If you're reading this it means I've spoken with you and you understand that your passion is everything, and no matter where you are as long as you love what you're doing everything will work out for you.
After we met, I knew there was something special about you, and that if I let your talent slip through my fingers I would regret it. So, since the last time I saw you, I've been working my butt off to get things at the gallery moving, and I'm really glad that I did, because it means what you are about to find out will change everything.
I could put it into words for you here but I think it would be a lot more fun for you to just read it for yourself.
Please read the content of each piece of information carefully, and when you have, contact me. You have my number.
And most importantly, remember everything I told you. You are the only thing standing in your way.
Best,
Lewis.'
I felt my heart rate increase as I moved on to the next piece of paper in the bundle, and began reading that aloud as well:
'Dear Ms Montgomery,
After much deliberation by the members and contributors board of arts and under the special consideration and recommendation of Mr. Lewis Duncan, we are delighted to inform you that a full scholarship to the University of Arts London has been funded specifically for you to attend and study the course of your choice at this establishment…'
"They want me to go to school there?" I said, my voice cracking.
"Oh my god…." Spencer whispered. I just looked at her wide eyed.
"That's why Lewis was telling me all those things earlier, because he knew I needed to hear it before he could give me this… He got me a place in UAL…" I whispered to myself.
"Keep reading, what else does it say?" She asked impatiently and after I had snapped out of my trance, I took a deep breath and continued:
'We would also like to invite you to take part in our summer internship which is 10 weeks in duration and will take place from June 17th to August 23rd. This internship involves fieldtrips, research workshops and close tutoring within small groups as well as partially managing and organising events that take place in our gallery under the supervision of tutors and our director.
Please read the enclosed booklets and pamphlets which include the details of the courses and further information on the internship.
As this is offer is being made in very special circumstances, it is of utmost importance that you confirm your acceptance with the university as soon as possible for us to make arrangements for you.'
I dropped the letter from my hand and time seemed to slow down as it fell to the floor. I jumped up from my place on the couch beside Spencer.
"Oh my god, I can't believe this!" I yelled, grinning wildly.
"What is going on in here?" my mom asked confused as she came running through the door.
"Mom, I got into the University of Arts in London!" I yelled happily.
"What? That place you went in London? But how? When?" She asked, trying to calm me down.
"Lewis! He's the art director and he got me a place!"
"Oh honey that is such great news! This is wonderful! You know after everything that has happened with Yale, I was so angry because you're such a wonderful and talented person and you deserved to get a place and when you didn't I couldn't understand why, but now this has happened, and I'm so happy for you!"
"Are you sure? It's far away from home and I'll be by myself…" I said, the realisation that I would have to leave now hitting me.
"Of course I'm sure sweetheart, you have to go where life takes you, and right now it's London." She said smiling, with a look of pride on her face.
"I'm going to London…" I said, my moment of doubt passing before the excitement quickly returned.
"You're going to London." Spencer whispered, I turned quickly to look at her, she was now standing, her eyes glistening and her lip trembling. The tears were visible in her eyes and they were threatening to spill over.
"Spencer…" I tried, but it was no use. I stood there yelling about leaving and going off to London and I hadn't even acknowledged her in any of it.
"I have to go…" she whispered but her voice still cracked and she quickly ran outside.
"Spencer, wait! Please!" I yelled after her as I ran through my front door but it was too late, she was gone.
I want to study art. I want to go to London. I want to follow my dreams. But how can I do it without Spencer?