Everyone applauded as Bette started walking to the podium. Her sexy self was wearing a black pants suit with a white, collared dress shirt. Her brown curly hair sat perfect around her face, and her stilletto heals was making my mouth water. I instantly came out of my day dream as I heard her voice.

"Good morning class. I first want to thank Principal Martin, Superintendent Caswell, and the Los Angeles school district for allowing us to do this. I have been an artist my whole life, and being able to do this for a living is very surreal. I had the opportunity to do great things at a young age and I want to give that back. For these three students, this is the opportunity of a lifetime. Not may artists at this age get this opportunity. To be featured in a gallery, to have their own showing is an artists dream, and I’m glad that we could make that happen."

Even though there were a couple hundred students in the auditorium, I feel she could see me. She knew where I was and the thought turned me red. Then she spotted me, out of all the faces, she found mine. I sat back hoping I wasn’t going to be picked, but praying that I’d win one of the spots, an internal battle raged in my mind.

"The showing won’t be until July and any current or former student of McLawhorn High, will gain entry at fifty percent off with student I.D. I would like to introduce my boss and director of the California Arts Center, Franklin Wells, and my assistant whom will be working very closely with our contest winner, James Hartley."

We all clapped and applauded. James was a young man, no doubt he was still in college. I could hear a few of the girls swooning over him. I rolled my eyes, and smiled when I felt Shane squeeze my hand, as if she knew the outcome.

"Ok without further adieu, here are your winners. From Miss. Lawson’s fourth period class, Jessica Lowly and from her sixth period class, John Jones," she announced and everyone was cheering as they stood up and walked to the stage, then my heart stopped, "and last and certainly not least, again from Miss. Lawson’s fourth period class, Miss. Christina Kennard."

It was like I was stuck in slow motion. I felt Shane pull me out of my chair and the girls pushed me down the isle. I couldn’t believe it, my photographs were to be featured in a promenent art gallery, hung by the most brilliant artist and curator in the country. I floated up to the stage and stood next to the other winners. She shook their hands and got to mine, I felt an electric shock run up and down my body.

"Congratulations Miss. Kennard," she said and flashed her smile, her million dollar Porter smile and my heart swooned. Oh Tina, I chastised myself, always wanting what you can’t have.