I DO NOT OWN SaB!

Finally. After all these years of dreaming, hoping, and tireless devotion and determination, she was finally showing her art in a real gallery. The Young Artists Foundation of Los Angeles was more than happy to showcase Bay Kennish-Vasquez's work in their Artists of Media exhibit, which was planned to show the work of youth artists of visual art: painting, sculpture, photography, and film, as well as performing arts: dance, theater, and music.

After everything her family had been through, Bay couldn't have gone back home to KC just because she broke up with him; she came to LA to become a better painter, to go to art school, and establish a life of her own. Ok, Bay did have to admit a major reason why she moved to the west coast was for him, but after the whole ordeal ended, she didn't let circumstance stop her from renting a small artist's loft and taking art classes from local artists. Bay even got her job bussing tables at LACMA back, a job she enjoyed, only because during her breaks she would sneak into the museum to observe the work of the greats.

It all paid off, too. Here she was, standing in a long, simple black dress, in front of The Young Artists' private gallery. Inside, the ethereal noise of an art showing, the silence of people critiquing art and the chatter of those discussing it, greeted her. Bay then proceeded to collect the exhibit's Featured Artists pamphlet and search for her name, skipping over the categories Photography, Film, and Theater to get to Painting. There it was:

BAY KENNISH-VASQUEZ

Age: 18

Residence: Los Angeles

Works:

Man of Question- $200

Untitled #2- $150

Over Seas- $300

Timeline #1- $500

Timeline #2- $500

*See Bay at the Artists Meet Up at 7:30

Smiling to herself, Bay walked to the Painting show room, where she was attacked by her close friend, Mia.

"Bay, darling! Bay, look! It'syour art, right here!"

A beaming Mia, half-dragged Bay over to one end of the showroom to where Bay's artwork hung on the wall.

"Remember when you showed up to work on your second day all down and upset because you were sure you were never going to be a real artist, since everything seemed to be standing in between you and your art?"

"Yeah," replied Bay tentatively. She still hadn't gotten used to Mia's chirpiness; even Daphne isn't so optimistic.

"Kay. Then I told you I'd be the judge of that. So when our shift was over I got you a smoothie and you took me back to the loft to show me your art. And I was completely blown away by its sheer beauty and perspective and said when you have your work shown in a gallery I get to say 'yeah right'. Well YEAH RIGHT! Bay look!"

Bay did look up at her work and felt pure elation at seeing her art. What it had taken to get it there had totally paid off.

"Excuse me?"

A woman wearing the Young Artists badge interrupted the two friends.

"Are one of you Bay Kennish-Vasquez?"

"I am," said Bay while she half raised her hand in recognition.

"I'm sorry to intrude, but it's time for the Painting Artists Meet Up."

"Oh I completely loss track of time! I'll be right there," she assured the YA representative.

"I've got to go, Mia. See you later?"

"Of course! Wouldn't want to keep you from doing your thing! Anyway, I saw this cute redhead by the Film show rooms. I'll be back later."

She turned and pranced away in typical Mia style. Bay quickly made her way to the small stage where the YAOLAF had set up a panel of sorts and took her place in the seat provided for her.

The Meet Up ran smoothly. Each artist took their turn at explaining their story and answered a few questions the head of the Meet Up asked. Bay was asked how she ended up in LA, seeing that she was from KC.

"Huh. Well it's kind of a funny story. Truth is I came in the footsteps of my boyfriend, who broke up with me when I finally got out here!"

The fairly large audience that had gathered around the stage laughed.

" But I stayed here and focused on my art. I guess it paid off," she said gesturing to the room and the people she was sitting next to.

"I came here for one thing, and ended up with something much better."

What Bay failed to notice was the interpreter off to the side of the stage. And the dismayed red haired boy in the audience.

Him.

Thank you so much for reading my story! This is my first fan-fiction and I hope it was worthy of your time. Please review and leave constructive criticism! I'm always open to improve my writing and expand my techniques. Thanks again! - M