"Elijah, my dear. My star." Mrs.Templeton exclaimed, running around the gymnasium looking for me. I could hear her voice through the isles that were set up by the production crew to act as hallways and resemble the branches of the snowflake. All of the art students were here to set up for tonight's winter showcase.

Set up like a maze, all of their pieces led to the middle. To my art piece.

"I'm here!" I called out. Mrs.Templeton rounded the corner and her mouth dropped as she took in all my photographers that wrapped around her along the partitions.

"Oh my...Elijah, this is exceptional." She clasped her hands together over her mouth as she took it in.

"You really think they'll like it?" I hugged my arms around my body.

"Like it? Honey, they're going to love it. You outdid yourself." She grasped my arm.

"Thank you so much for this." I rested my hand on top of hers and she gave me one of her sincere heartfelt smiles.

"What did I tell you about thanking me? This is all you." She winked. "Now, run along and grab yourself something to eat before the show. You're going to be up on your feet for hours tonight so you'll want to make sure your energy is up." She clapped.

"Okay, okay. I'm going." I laughed. It was all ready for tonight anyway so I guess I had time to grab a bit to eat at The Pizza Junction.

*Ping*

I took out my phone, my heart skipped a beat. It was Tristan, this cute boy I've been messaging a bit these past few weeks off of Grindr. I've never really spoken to a boy this way but since I was young I've always been a bit...curious.

Kissing girls was always nice but boys for some reason felt...forbidden. Something I wanted to explore. I always assumed I would be doing the exploring with someone in particular but...

I shook my head. Enough of those thoughts. I read my message waiting for me.

Tristan: I'm excited to see you tonight

I bit my lip. Tonight after my show is the first time we're going to get to meet each other in person. I've been dying to meet him but he's been shy about this whole thing too.

Elijah: I can't wait. I'll be thinking about you all night.

Tristan: Same here. Those pictures you sent me last night were 🔥🔥🔥 I've been thinking about them all day.

Tristan: Did you like mine?

I thought back to the pictures he sent me last night. Tristan's profile said he was a year older than me which was nice. Already in his first year in college. His pictures were a little more feminine than I would hope for, truthfully. He had a pretty face with a slim feature. But, I'd be lying if I said I didn't enjoy the pictures he sent me.

We've been sending provocative pictures back in forth this past week and honestly, it's been really fun. I've sent a picture of myself to anyone before but honestly, reading his responses back made it all worth it. I can see why people do it.

Elijah: Is that even a question? You're incredible. Can't wait to see your beautiful body in real life.

I made myself blush with that one. I bit my thumb and smiled. I hope I have enough courage to back my words up when it comes to showing up in real life. The last and only time I've ever done anything with a guy was when I kissed...

Anyway, that was so long ago. I might as well be a virgin. Hopefully, the college I go to will have plenty more experiences with all genders.

I spotted a Clouded Sulpher butterfly on my walk to the Junction and had to pull out my camera to snap a picture. Some of my favorite photos were the ones of animals in nature. It was such a beautiful day outside, I could tell that the weather would work in my favor for that shot.

I walked into the restaurant which happily looked like they were getting their dinner rush. Choosing a spot at the bar, I sat down and cracked open my book bag.

"There's my boy." Dad sang, walking around the corner and placing a stack of beers on the bar top.

"Just stopping by for some pizza before I head back for the show." I smiled, texting on my phone.

"I'll be there at 7. It's a little later than I wanted but I'll still be able to catch the end. Can't wait to see it. I'm so proud of you." Dad smiled, placing the bottles of beer one by one in the mini-fridge.

"Can I have one of those?" I joked.

"The day I get to buy you your first drink, you'll be on the floor." He winked.

"You promise? That's only in a year. I'll hold you to it."

"Oh, you better. I mean it!" He laughed. We live in Ontario, Canada so the drinking age is 19. This is happy news for me but bad news for Dad since he's going to have to take care of my drunk ass earlier than he'd probably like.

Dad popped an empty glass up on the bar top filled with ice and poured lemonade into the glass (my favorite).

"Thank you." I smiled. He nodded his head, placing a straw into the glass for me.

*Ping*.

I looked down at my phone and laughed.

Tristan: Should I bring you flowers or is that totally gay?

"Is that Claire? Can you tell her to come in tonight at 5 instead of 6? I don't want to be backed up again like last night. We got slammed."

"No, it's not Claire." I smiled down at my phone.

Elijah: That's really gay...my favorite is Iris'"

"Ouuu" Dad cooed. Leaning on the bar top, he leaned in close to me sneak a peak at my phone. Whipping away, he let out a big laugh. "So, who's the lucky guy or girl or them?"

I rolled my eyes and laughed. "Nothing to report just yet. It's still new."

"Well, once it becomes serious make sure to bring them around. They need my stamp of approval–" Dad's attention was caught off guard at something that just entered the restaurant.

As though there was a shimmery light that surrounded her, a woman clearly a little younger than my Dad walked in. Her skin was darker tan while her golden hair flowed down her back. She was gorgeous. With the sun behind her back, she looked like she was an angel. She looked around and connected eyes with my Dad who was standing there dumbfounded behind the bar. He clearly took notice of her too.

"Dad?" I said to try to break his concentration. It clearly didn't work.

"Yes, son?" He answered, robotically.

"You're staring really hard," I whispered under my breath.

"What?" He said looking down at me. "Oh!" He said snapping back to reality. Immediately he started wiping down the bar top.

"Excuse me?" Her sweet, smooth voice called out from beside me.

Dad stopped wiping and looked back at her. "How can I help you?"

"I'm here to pick up an order. It should be under Donald." She smiled.

"Right. Donald. I'll be right back." Dad said clearly disappointed that she was here to pick up an order for a man. Too bad.

"Sure, of course." She nodded, taking out her wallet from her purse. I watched as Dad returned with 5 stacks of pizza.

"Donald sure knows how to eat." I laughed, taking a sip of my lemonade.

Dad shooed me. "Eli, that's rude."

The woman laughed. "No, that's okay. It's actually Donald & Co. The law firm. I'm a secretary there and today I'm on pizza pickup duty." She shrugged.

Thank god.

"I hope you get to enjoy some of the pizza yourself," Dad said, sliding the pay machine to her.

She tapped the card on the machine and smiled up at him. "I'd love a slice but I'm not sure I'm allowed."

"Askherout." I coughed into my fist. Dad looked at me shocked but I couldn't help but laugh. If I wasn't going to push him, he wasn't going to do it.

"I'm Jude." He smiled, offering his hand out. "And this is my annoying son, Elijah."

She shook his hand for much longer than usual, it looked like. "Gwen." She smiled. "Hey, Elijah." She smiled at me. I gave her a nod and a wave back.

My Dad is a handsome man with a bad case of never putting himself out there. After my mom left him when I was young, I think he always thought he wasn't good enough. But come on, he's handsome and successful with a charming son? He's a total catch!

"And I'd love to." She answered, gripping the pizza boxes before turning towards the door.

"Wait, how will I contact you?" Dad called out.

"You'll figure out a way, I'm sure." She winked, heading towards the door.

Dad exhaled while watching her leave the building. "Can you believe that?"

I laughed at him, sucking some lemonade up my straw, pointing it towards him, and spraying lemonade at his face.

"Agh!" He wiped off his face in disgust.

"Looks like I'm getting a new mommy!" I laughed.

"You're ridiculous." He shook his head.

☀️☀️☀️

Tonight was the night. I made my way up the gymnasium doors and entered the backway behind the expose.

The gym was dim and colourful white snowflakes decorated the walls by a projector. The gym looked incredible and just knowing it was full of so many amazing art pieces was so exciting.

"Elijah!" Mrs.Templeton came around the corner to meet me. She was joined by a couple of my art student friends beside her. "You're right on time. The tour is about to begin of all the works and then everyone is able to explore on their own." She said.

"There's a few professors here to see your work, Elijah!" My friend Alexa was bouncing on her tiptoes.

"I can't believe it. Tonight can open up so many doors for me." I smiled.

"You'll do fantastic. You've been working towards this for so long." Gregory smiled on the other side of Mrs.Templeton.

"Now, come on. We can't stand here all night. Time to go and introduce yourself to your guests." She smiled turning to guide us to the entrance of the expose.

Soft music was playing in the background of the gym as people filed in. I could see friends, family members of the artists, and professors filing in.

"Elijah Thorne, I want you to meet Mrs.Patterson. She's a highly credited professor at the–"

"Art Institute of Toronto. I know who you are. I follow your work quite closely." I smiled, holding out my hand.

The tall slender woman with a blunt black haircut and deep purple makeup looked me up and down. I suddenly was very happy I opted for my sleek black-on-black suit and combed my hair back to look professional and classy.

"I especially loved your art piece of your estranged sister. It's actually what inspired me tonight for my piece."

A slight glint of a smile appeared on her face. So quick I almost missed it but I'm certain it was there. Suddenly, she lifted her hand and met mine.

"I'm looking forward to seeing your work, Mr. Thorne." She stated.

I gulped and nodded my head.

"Right this way." I smiled, leading the way.

It was a nice tour getting to see all my classmate's artwork. It's clear that my school was full of such skillful talent. I was proud of every one of them. While they were describing their work, I felt myself growing more and more nervous. We were getting closer to my piece and I could feel my temperature rising.

"Without further adieu, we'd like to showcase our final art piece created by one of our most talented art students here at Northbridge Academy." Mrs.Templeton began.

*Ping*.

This has got to be the worst time but I had to check my phone. Pulling it out, I noticed an incoming text from Tristan.

Tristan: I'm here, baby. I'm right behind you.

I looked around behind me but all I could see was a crowd of people. No one that resembled Tristan.

*Ping*

Tristan: I can't wait to see what you've created.

I suddenly regretted asking him to come to this. If I wasn't nervous before, I sure was nervous now.

"Elijah, are you ready?" Mrs.Templeton nodded to me, putting her hand on my back to guide me in front of the crowd.

"Thank you so much everyone for giving me this opportunity to share with you my art." I gulped. "This piece was inspired by my mother. Or, lack of one. I always wanted to know her but I guess...I always did, through me." I swallowed deeply looking at all the faces amongst the crowd. "I guess it will all make more sense once you see it." I smiled. There were a few laughs amongst the crowd which made me hesitate.

Focusing my eyes, I realized I did know a few faces behind the crowd. My heart dropped.

Was that Harry and his soccer friends? My eyes shifted and I spotted him right next to them.

Tobias.

No...No...No...

I turned around towards my expose, removing the curtain to reveal my segment of the snowflake.

All the pictures that I had taken and spent all day putting up were swapped for...

Naked pictures of me.

The pictures that I had sent to Tristan.

Or, who I thought was Tristan.  

☀️

Authors Note:

Oh, noooo. :( My poor baby, Elijah. How could they be so cruel???