CHAPTER 18

By the time Monday had rolled around, Beth was back and in a great mood from spending time with her family. Classes were also starting up again and professors were gearing towards preparing their students for finals. But before that Avery had to meet with her advisor to talk about her progress as an intern this far.

"So Avery, how are you feeling about your progress with your internship? I know you still have the rest of the year to go, so this is just a check in."

"Yeah, it's going well. It started off rocky with Dr McPhee but I think he trusts me and respects me a little bit more and that's always a good thing right?"

"Of course. We love to hear that our students are getting along with their internship leaders. Now I hope you don't mind me asking this but it's all I can think about. Of course I'm talking about the stunts that happened over Thanksgiving weekend! It's so crazy to think that that happened at your internship. I can't believe you managed to pull it off! I mean, of course you're a capable young woman but what I mean is the sheer grand scale of the whole thing! I mean animatronics had to have been involved, and actors in historically accurate clothing! It boggles my mind on how you did it!"

"Ha, yeah well…it was a lot of work and we struggled to get it to work just right. Of course I can't tell you any of our secrets though. But yeah, it's going well now that the major…hurdle is over. I just hope in the spring I'll really get to shadow Dr McPhee more and find out the inner workings of what goes on in planning an exhibit."

"Well it sounds like you are on the right track! I commend you for the progress made this far. Keep it up!"

Now everyone that knew Avery knew she had an internship with the museum. And because of their Thanksgiving 'stunt', she was now the most popular student on campus. Word of mouth travels fast and students she didn't even know were coming up to her and telling her how awesome her internship is and how they hope to have one like it. Others simply came forward and told her that they were jealous because their own internships weren't as thrilling as hers. Avery felt uncomfortable being the center of attention as she preferred to be on the sidelines, but she tried to be polite to those who came up to her. Beth was still in complete awe over the events. She begged and begged Avery to tell her the secrets of the stunt. But Avery politely told her that it would be a breach of intern/museum privilege if she did, and that she didn't want to get in trouble.

As the end of the term was fast approaching, Avery tried to focus on studying for her exams and writing her final papers. She had told Larry and the museum gang that she may not be around as much because of that. Although she did need a quiet place to study and the library was full of first year students and their study groups. So she made her way down to the archives room and put up a 'do not disturb' sign. She sat on the floor surrounded by textbooks and notes on her various subjects. Avery had always felt stressed when studying for exams. She was in a constant state of worrying about if she had studied just the right amount of time and if she had retained any of the information she just read. Her nerves always got the best of her but when she was in the exam itself, she slowly but surely felt more confident that she indeed knew the material. She liked to think that her meticulous attention to detail and studying is what got her her good grades and her scholarship. Still she wished she would ease up on herself and her obsession on having to study so much to achieve perfection.

After a few hours of being locked in the room, hunched over books on the floor, Avery's body started to protest. So she had to convince herself that taking a break was okay and much needed at the time. Upon standing up her knees cracked so loudly that she half expected them to glow. Laughing to herself, she emerged from her cave and made her way up to the main floor. She wanted to see what everyone was doing. And like always, Teddy was the one who found her first.

"Hello Miss Avery! I see you've finally come out of hiding! Always good to be studious but try not to study too hard now." He boasted loudly which made Avery jump slightly, afterall she was only used to silence for the past few hours. But she smiled at him anyway.

"Hah, thanks Teddy. My body was screaming at me to take a break and walk around, and my eyes are most likely bloodshot from reading over my notes. I probably should eat something too. Anyway, what's everyone doing?"

"I believe Lawrence is making his rounds. Attila and his men are practicing sparring. Sacagawea is settling a debate that Lewis and Clark were having, and our Pharaoh is keeping to himself in his exhibit." After excusing himself, Avery was left to her own devices. She felt bad that Ahkmenrah was all alone in his exhibit so she figured that she would offer her company for the time being. Or at least until she felt the urge to study again.

Making her way to his exhibit, she was still hesitant of his jackal guards though they allowed her to enter without harm. She found Ahkmenrah with his back to her staring at the walls of his exhibit. She cleared her throat to get his attention and when he turned around he smiled at her.

"Hello Avery. How is the evening finding you?" He was polite as always.

"It's finding me well, I suppose. I'm just taking a break from studying. You know final exams are coming up when you find yourself locked in a room with books and notes." She awkwardly laughed. She made herself sound like a nerd. And she technically was, she just didn't want to be seen as only that.

"Yes I know the feeling quite well. When I was a boy, I considered my studies highly important and often spent my free moments immersed in them. There was always something new to learn about. What is it that you are studying?"

"I think the question is what aren't I studying! Honestly, I have so many different classes to think about, not to mention final papers and presentations. My current workload revolves around writing 3 papers for my art history classes. I also have exams for each of them. I have a very important math exam that I'm stressed about, I mean everything is a little stressful but I'm not mathematically inclined." She was out of breath by the end of her little explanation. She was probably forgetting a few things here or there because she was so nervous.

"That does sound like quite the workload. I have heard that if you talk to someone who doesn't know about those things, that you are teaching them. And if you can teach them, then you have effectively taught yourself. I would be willing to be your student for the night." He was sincere. He had missed out on so much over the past 50 years he was locked up, he was willing and eager to learn just what he missed. Plus it would give him time to spend with Avery.

Avery was shocked. He was willing to be her student for the night? He could be doing so many other things at that moment but he chose to be with her. She mulled over the suggestion in her head. It would be nice to teach someone else so I can see if I retained all the necessary information.

After the initial shock cleared, she readily agreed to be his teacher. She smiled to herself as they both walked down to the archives room. Upon entering, only then did she realize that there was no furniture for them to sit on. She was comfortable sitting on the floor but to have royalty do the same? The ancient Gods would surely strike her down for her disrespect.

"I am so sorry, I didn't realize that I would have anyone else in here but me. I mean there's no chairs for you to sit on! I wouldn't want you sitting on the floor after a while it does become uncomfortable, trust me I know. I suppose we could drag my stuff to the security office where there's a couch if you would be more comfortable there?" Rambling when she was nervous was not her best trait but she couldn't help it. Deep down she just wanted to do everything in her power to make him feel at ease, part of her people pleasing tendencies. But to her surprise, Ahkmenrah simply sat on the floor, adjusting his robes as needed.

"Please, do not feel like you have to trouble yourself at my expense. You have already set up a nice camp here that I would hate for you to move everything over there. I want you to feel comfortable as well. Think of me not as a Pharaoh, but simply a student." To demonstrate his point, he removed his crown and placed it on the floor behind him. He had a mop of dark hair that complemented his face. Avery found herself blushing just a tad at the gesture.

"Okay so let's get started then! Where to start? Hmmm… Alright I'm gonna teach you about the main differences between some artists from the Italian Renaissance and the Northern Renaissance. And then from there we can work our way up to Modern Art and how it's always changing."

And so she began her lectures much like her professors did when she was in their classes. She spoke passionately about the paintings and the symbolism of each era. But she couldn't keep the tone of disdain out of her voice when she had reached the topic of Modern Art. She just couldn't stand it. She knew it was important to study all aspects of art history but the one area she never understood was Modern Art. To her it lacked depth and substance.

Maybe that's why MOMA rejected me.

Meanwhile, Ahkmenrah sat across from her impressed at how she carried herself through these topics. He loved seeing her talk fervently about the things she cared about. He internally laughed when he heard the change of tone in her voice when she got to her lesson on Modern Art. Especially when she was talking about someone called Jackson Pollock. By the sound of her voice, he surmised that she did not like him or his work.

"-and I guess that's it! Wow, that felt really good to practice. Seriously thank you Ahkmenrah!" She beamed with pride in herself when she realized she had nothing to worry about, she was prepared.

"You are welcome Avery. I enjoyed your lesson very much. I can tell you are very passionate about art." He smiled warmly at her. With the lesson over he put his crown back on and stood up offering his hand to help her up. She accepted.

"So what should we do now? I mean if you have other kingly things to do then I understand. I didn't mean to presume if we could hang out. I mean we are hanging out right now. But do you still want to hang out?" She had hope in her voice. She did like spending time with him. He was a kind and gentle soul.

"Hah, my kingly duties include watching over my exhibit and tablet. So I would welcome a change of pace. Perhaps a walk around the museum?" Truth is he felt a little lonely in his exhibit. Sure he was grateful to be freed but no one had offered to spend time with him. Larry was busy with his night guard agenda, and Teddy was usually with Sacagawea. The only things he had to talk to were his jackals but it was always one sided.

And so they were off on their walk. Neither really had a plan of where to go, they just followed the usual flow of museum occupants. Avery was trying to figure out what to do, although she was enjoying wandering aimlessly through the museum. Though the one place she never fully explored was the Oceans exhibit. So there they went.

"I have not been in this part of the museum, Avery. I'm glad you chose it."

"Neither have I! I've kinda been meaning to but never got around to it. I'll let you in on a little secret…I'm actually terrified of the ocean!" She confessed one of her fears to her new friend. She was fine in swimming pools because they had a bottom that she could reach, but the ocean was vast and mostly unexplored. Who knew what else was lurking below? No thank you! She would stay as close to the shoreline as possible.

"I mean I have favorite sea animals but the idea of being surrounded by vast nothingness terrifies me. Not knowing what will happen in the dark sea-" She stopped short as she realized what she had just said. It dawned on her that Ahkmenrah knew that feeling all too well from being locked up in the darkness with only his thoughts.

"Oh my god, I am so sorry Ahkmenrah! Please forgive my carelessness, I wasn't thinking!"

Here she was with her new friend that she may have unintentionally triggered. He calmly waited for her to catch her breath before responding.

"Avery, it is alright. The fact that I am here outside of my sarcophagus, walking around and talking to you proves that it has all finally worked out." Sure he may have been the slightest bit triggered by her comment but it was nothing compared to the real thing. Being stuck and trapped, not knowing what will happen next. But being free gave him a new perspective and gratitude. He and his new friend would figure this whole thing out.

Together they entered the Oceans exhibit through the wavelike door. It had a dark, eerie glow which replicated what it felt like to be underwater. A large whale was hanging from some wires, moving gracefully like they weren't there in the first place. It was actually kind of peaceful once they really took in the full room. There were displays of various skeletons of prehistoric fish with some live displays as well. Avery did not know that they had a mini aquarium in the museum! If she would have known that, she would have been here sooner!

"Wow, I give the ocean credit because this is beautiful! It's not that scary either! I mean of course this is a display, being underwater is a totally different feeling. What do you think of the place Ahkmenrah?"

"It is beautiful like you said. These creatures are living in their own little world." He was looking around the room and managed to glance back at her only to find her doing a face to a puffer fish. Her cheeks were filled with air and her hands were on either side of her face much like fins. The little fish seemed delighted by the display. Once Avery realized that he had seen her, her face grew red with embarrassment and she immediately dropped her hands. Here she was being her dorky little self that the Pharaoh had now seen. But she couldn't help it, this little puffer fish was so cute. She awkwardly laughed, but when she looked back at him, he was doing the same face she had done! This time she laughed genuinely and thought of how someone so regal could have such silly moments. It made her feel more relaxed that he didn't think of her as weird.

They stayed and looked around a few more moments before heading out the door. If Avery ever needed a place to study then she could come here and be surrounded by much better ocean ambiance than any study playlist could have. Looking at her phone's time, she let out a regretful sigh.

"It looks like I stayed here longer than I had hoped. I really should get back so I can get some sleep! But seriously, thank you again for being my student! It's a game changer for studying! I had a nice time with you." She said honestly. She felt some butterflies in her stomach when she confessed that.

"You are welcome Avery. I also enjoyed spending time with you. Together we have conquered the mighty Oceans exhibit! May it tremble before us!" This made her smirk.

She hadn't expected him to say something kind of dorky, but she wasn't complaining. Afterall, she did just witness him doing a puffer fish impression. She found it kind of endearing.

He followed her back to the archives to help pack up her things. Although she insisted that she didn't need help, he was persuasive in his own way. So there they were collecting various textbooks and notes on the floor. As they unknowingly reached for the same sheet of paper, their hands touched. Avery knew it was a cliche thing like in those cheesy romance movies she and Beth had watched. But compared to the way they both lingered, this elicited more butterflies in her stomach. She recovered quickly and brought the paper to her binder and stuffed it inside. She gave a small yet awkward smile. Relationships and romance were foreign to her.

Relationships? Romance! What the heck am I thinking? It's just a piece of paper that our hands happened to touch…and linger on… God what is wrong with me? He's just a friend who helped me tonight. He's just a friend.

She kept repeating that little mantra to get her brain to stop overthinking things. Meanwhile, Ahkmenrah was only a little fazed by it. He hadn't meant to linger, but his brain seemed to have short circuited for a few seconds. Avery was his friend, so why was he acting weirdly all of a sudden? She is just a friend, someone he hadn't known for very long. At most he had seen her at least three times since he was released. And even then, they never really had a full conversation. But today was different. It was like they had taken the time to get to know each other. Sure it was to help Avery prepare for her exams but she was also someone he could see himself talking to regularly.

Author Note: This may be the last chapter update for at least a month, at least til the end of August. I have a intensive summer course I'm taking that I need to focus on. So I may or may not sporadically post a chapter. Depends on how busy I am.