Page 95 of Obsession

MEGAN

“Here, hun’, these are two tickets that you can give to your parents to attend the gallery.”

I stare at the elegant writing on the thin slips of paper.

“Thank you.”

The woman looking at me smiles. “You have a lot of potential, Megan. If you don’t mind, I would love to introduce you to some people at the exhibit.”

Something warm flares in my chest, and I hold the two tickets close to my chest. “Really?”

“Yes.” Miss Maverick beams at me. “I know you don’t place a lot of focus on digital art, but I have a few connections who are always looking for brilliant students to offer internships. I invited a few of them to the showing. They usually offer internships for students who work on digital platforms, but your work has so much depth that they might give you an opportunity.”

I press my lips together to hold it in the excitement.

“This is why I personally wanted to meet you to give you the tickets,” she explains, smiling at me kindly. “You have to make a good first impression with these folks, so make sure you dress appropriately for the event. I would recommend classy attire and muted tones. Let your art be the only thing that stands out.”

I look down at the tickets, trying to contain my happiness, and before leaving the room, I’m careful to tuck them deep into my bag. Classes are already over for the day, and the hallways are empty. I hurry to my art supply locker only to see a familiar face waiting for me there.

“What do you want?” I ask coldly, stopping in my tracks.

Ricky, the asshole, smiles at me as if we’re simply old pals.

“Megan, I wanted to say congrats.”

The biggest mistake of my life, Ricky, is majoring in digital photography and specializing in film. While his work is not subpar, he didn’t make it as a gallery finalist.

Neither did Ashley.

I don’t smile, my hand tightening on the strap of my bag. “Thanks.”

When I stare at him, he shifts in his spot, clearly uncomfortable.

“So, did you get the tickets?” he asks me.

I don’t respond. His toothy smile, which months ago used to make my heart skip a beat, makes me feel sick to my stomach now.

“Do you want something, Ricky?” I ask, my tone is frigid.

He takes a step forward.

“Look, I know you don’t have a plus one, and it’s not like you have any parents to attend the exhibition.”Asshole.“Plus, I’ve been thinking for a few weeks now; I know I messed up, but I want to give us a second chance. So, I wanted to ask you out to the exhibition.”

I purse my lips, suddenly finding the humor in the whole thing, even as a sliver of anger cuts through it.

“If you’re asking me out, shouldn’t you be the one providing the tickets?”

He gives me a boyish smile, taking yet another step forward.

“Well, you already have them, so what’s the point of me buying them?”

I offer him back an insincere smile of my own. What an ass.

“It shows commitment. The showing is a fundraiser; each ticket is at least a thousand dollars. If you’re suddenly so desperate to giveusa chance, the least you could do is pay for the privilege.”

I can see his expression falter, and his smile slips.

“Don’t be like this, Megan. You know that having a plus one will help with nerves at an event like this, and aside from me, you have no one.”

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