One New Message (Random Updates)

Chapter 44

Mr. Henshaw,

My name is Carrie Williams and I am the director of the Art Institute. I was given some of Jade Henshaw's artwork and I am very impressed with her skills. I went to the gallery and saw her work with clay and mixed media. I would love to speak with her and Gabriel Coleman as well about joining us here at AI. I can assure you that what happened at your previous school will not happen here and we will take whatever precautions you would like to ensure their safety and whatever else they will need or want. They are amazing artists and we would love to help them master their skills and further their passions in the arts. I am including all the information for you to look over and hopefully fill out.

Carrie Williams, Director of Art Institute

Jade looked away from the phone with wide eyes. "She saw my work?"

"Apparently so," Corey smiled. "I promise none of us sent in your work. We have no idea how she was made aware but she has. What do you say, My DreamKitten?"

"I don't know," she whispered as she rubbed her hands on her thighs. Corey grabbed her hands and laced their fingers together. "I...I...I don't know."

"That's okay," Gabe said as he rubbed her back. "You don't have to fucking decide right now. Just think about it and be fucking proud of your work."

"What is it?" Corey asked when he noticed she was watching him.

"Do you promise?" she whispered after a few seconds.

He smiled before kissing her knuckles. She couldn't say when he laced their fingers together but it felt right. "I pinky promise we didn't reach out to the art school nor send in your portfolio. Vic didn't get the call for the teaching position until after they emailed me. As soon as I saw the email, I called Mr. B and while he did go ahead and have Kota and me sign you and Gabe up so you can start Monday, he put in the stipulations that Vic be a professor as well and told them that you two will be having a trial period first and if you had any other stipulations he would notify the school and let them know. We aren't going to force you to go back to school if you don't want to. I just know how much you enjoy doing art and want to make a career out of it. But this is totally in your hands, my precious DreamKitten. We will support whatever you decide."

"Why?" she asked as tears filled her eyes.

He cupped her cheek and wiped the tear that she couldn't stop. "Because you're my girl," he spoke softly. "You're one of my best friends and you get me. You are perfect for me, for us. You, beautiful girl, are the missing part of our family. You're our girl, Jade." He ran his thumb back and forth in a soothing manner. "I know this is a lot for you but just try and trust me, we only want to support you in reaching your goals and help you make your dreams come true while proving your fears and anxieties wrong so one day you will believe that you are it for us. Just try and trust me, okay?"

"Try," she whispered, making him smile.

"That's all we ask," he nods. "Thank you, Sweetheart."

"Alright, that's enough fucking serious talk," Gabe smirked. "You interrupted our fucking magic. Go away and let her get back to fucking teaching me her shit."

"Language," Owen turned his eyes on him.

"I know," Gabe rolled his eyes, "I know."

Jade picked up the plain white clay dragon and frowned. "What?" Corey asked as he watched her turn the creature over and over in her hands. "What's wrong?"

"I lost it," she murmured as her breathing sped up. "I can't remem...I had...can't...no..."

"Here you go, Sweetheart," Corey smiled as he pulled some headphones out of his pocket and slipped them into her ears. He tapped away on his phone before setting it down next to her. His grin grew as he watched her eyes light up as Black Veil Brides started to fill her head. "Take a breath, play with Gabe, and I promise everything will be okay. Just listen to your pretty music and your inspiration will come back."

"Oy, Trouble, it's okay," Gabe said gently, taking the clay from her hands. "We can just create a new one. We don't have to make the one we were just talking about. That's the fun thing about art, we can make whatever we want. We don't have to have a plan, we just wing it and whatever comes is what makes it unique and each one special. It's okay, promise. Let's just start over and create a brand new one."

Her eyes darted over to him before going back to Corey, "What's wrong with him?"