Chapter 16
She had come to the city to clear her head and maybe catch a
glimpse of Cassie at the comic convention.
“Running into that trio here? What are the odds?” Bethany
muttered to herself.
She decided the trip would be over after having a look at Cassie
tomorrow.
Back at the hotel, Bethany packed up, checked out, and booked a
room somewhere else.
The next morning, she got to Southmount Stadium early.
She had gone all in on the disguise–sun hat, sunglasses, mask. Not a bit of her face showing.
Still, she couldn’t work up the nerve to see Cassie.
The hall was pretty empty now.
Then someone’s voice rang out, “Ms. Guzman is here!”
Bethany ducked behind a pillar.
Cassie walked in with a small group. Two people were carrying a
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big framed canvas covered in red cloth.
Cassie pointed toward the center of the room. “Hang this one
right here.”
A guy behind them asked, “Ms. Guzman, is this your latest piece?”
All the other displays were already up, except the one in the
center.
Cassie smiled, “You’ll see soon.”
The crowd was buzzing now. “Oh, so mysterious! It’s gotta be Ms.
Guzman’s new work!”
“Yeah, she saved that spot for it. It’s gotta be something amazing.”
“I can’t wait!”
Many of the visitors today were longtime fans of hers.
Bethany peeked out just enough to catch a glimpse.
Seven years had passed, and now there were silver streaks at
Cassie’s temples.
Tears welled up in Bethany’s eyes.
She had only planned to sneak a look and leave. But seeing how
carefully Cassie treated that piece, she wanted to see it too.
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The hall started filling up.
And with the growing crowd, there was no need to hide
anymore.
She wandered around, admiring Cassie’s works–flat illustrations,
3–D ones, lifelike replicas, and more.
Some students showed up in full cosplay.
The place was so packed.
Bethany finally squeezed her way out of the crowd for a
bathroom break. When she came back out, she saw Terrence
standing next to Cassie.
“Mr. McConnell, I know you’re the tour sponsor, but I’ve only
ever picked students for two reasons–talent and the spirit their
work reflects. I’ve seen Ms. Gilbert’s work. I’m sorry, but she
doesn’t meet the standard I set for a final student.”
Bethany overheard and thought, “So Ms. Guzman is here because
of him. For Krista.”
“Talent and the spirit their work reflects? Sounds kind of vague.
Could you be more specific, Ms. Guzman?”
Obviously, Terrence was trying to get Krista another shot.
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“There’s a new piece here. I’ll be unveiling it later. Take a look for
yourself, and you’ll get it,” Cassie said.
Cassie never lied when it came to art.
Bethany was more interested in the piece in the center.
So she turned and went back to the exhibit hall.
About ten minutes later, Cassie came over with a few staff
members.
The country’s animation still had a long way to go, which meant
the future was wide open.
Cassie had always been out front–promoting it, shaping it,
pushing it forward.
Her dream was to see their production techniques make it big on
the world stage.
Bethany had always known that.
Once, Cassie had poured all those hopes into her.
Now she was explaining the design choices behind each piece,
even pointing out flaws in her own work.
She wasn’t just a mentor; the way she approached her craft made
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people admire her.
Bethany couldn’t help thinking of her grandmother.
She had taught Bethany how to do paper cutting.
After Bethany lost her voice, her grandmother took her
everywhere for treatment. But nothing worked.
