Chapter 33
Spring had faded away and summer brought hot and humid weather for the inhabitants of London. Grace and her classmates had finished up their finals and some of them were eager to spend their summer vacation in the tropics or somewhere else.
Before Grace went on her way back to her apartment, the headmaster Mr. James Dundee summoned her into his office.
"Miss Dawson," Mr. Dundee said to her, "Do you know why I asked you to come here?"
Grace shook her head, although she was sure that the news is not good.
"Well, our comrades from the School of Visual Arts in New York came across your pieces when they visited here," Mr. Dundee said. "I told them so much about you and they became interested in you," he added.
Grace looked at him in surprise; she was looking at the possibility of being transferred overseas, although she did not like it.
"Mr. Dundee," she replied, "I am flattered by this, but I must decline the offer of being transferred to this school in America," she added.
Mr. Dundee chuckled, "No, no, no, that's not the reason. The school is actually interested in displaying your pieces in their charcoal gallery."
Grace did not like the sound of that; she created the pieces and she did not want them to leave the United Kingdom for some reason.
"Mr. Dundee, I'm afraid that I must say no to this. However, I will make an exception," Grace said, "I want to transfer the pieces myself, they are not to be out of my sight during the plane ride."
"I think I can pull some strings," Mr. Dundee replied and wrote something down.
"Unless I die an untimely death, then my pieces will not go to New York, not ever. They are to be handed to my parents," Grace said and Mr. Dundee nods.
"I am sure you won't die an untimely death. The school, however, won't be able to display your pieces until next year in the autumn. I tried to get an early time slot, but you know, that school takes pride in displaying everyone's pieces that go there," the headmaster replied.
Grace left and went on her way to her apartment. She could not believe that this art school in New York was interested in her pieces.
She looked around for Pitch, but no site of him yet. She stared out the window and watched the sun set behind some buildings.
She then heard a flapping noise, that had to be Erebos and Grace spotted him and Pitch fly above her. They landed in the courtyard and Grace let Pitch in.
"Pitch, I have some news," she said.
"Oh, tell me," he replied, sounding really eager.
"The School of Visual Arts in New York wants to display my pieces in their charcoal gallery next autumn," Grace explained.
"That's wonderful, congratulations," Pitch said and kissed her.
"But I am not sure that I should go through with it. What if the school does not like my pieces?" she asked and Pitch had to chuckle.
"Remember what I said to you years ago? Don't let the fear eat at you, otherwise you won't be able to see the ultimate reward in the end," he replied and Grace nodded.
Deep down in Pitch's heart, he wanted to stay by Grace's side every minute, but he couldn't because he was a guardian. He needed to carry out his duties, but he wished that his master would choose someone to take Pitch's place as the boogeyman.
He really wanted to ask Grace the one question, but he was forbidden to do so as he was immortal. It was likely that his master would not show mercy if Pitch if he did carry this out.
"Pitch, are you okay?" Grace asked. Pitch had zoned out and he shook his head, putting his mind back where it belonged.
"I'm sorry, I was thinking," he replied and decided to leave. "I'm happy for you Grace, now you'll see the other end of the world," he added.
Grace watched as Pitch and Erebos went up into the sky. She had her eyes glued to them until they were out of sight.