Peculiar concept to grasp that my future is contained within this single envelope, something so simple, white, and small.

Front. Flip. Back. Flip. Turning it over and over in my hands, I tried to muster up the courage to open it, but I just couldn't bring myself to do so.

No time to either, since the elevator doors were opening.

Quickly folding the letter and stuffing it back in my pocket, I looked down and smoothed down my shirt for the fifteenth time. Taking a deep breath, I stepped out of the elevator.

Oh.

I should recognize this room. I was here less than three hours ago and numerous times before that, but tonight it took my breath away.

The university pulled out all the stops for the top senior art students. I had attended a few showcases in the past, but the event planners seemed to have truly outdone themselves in transforming the place for this one in particular. Everything looked spectacular.

I maneuvered my way through the crowd that was already growing and turned the first corner.

It was still there.

My painting. On the wall. Right in front of me. I checked the signature in the lower right hand corner. Yep. It's mine.

I took my place beside it as people began to approach.

No matter how many shows I did, I was always waiting for someone to take my work down, exclaim how horrific of an artist I was, and promptly kick me to the curb.

For some strange reason that had yet to happen.

I was truly surprised it hasn't happened tonight considering how many people were here. I've never seen a crowd quite this big before.

One woman I thought for sure was going to shove her plate of food against the thing. She had her nose about three inches away from it with a scowl on her face. Next thing I knew, she had turned towards me with tears in her eyes, hugging me, and muttering something about "true beauty" and "real essence". Apparently that scowl was just her face.

But it didn't matter how much praise I had received, I still couldn't grasp the fact that I was here. I mean, eighty senior applicants, four winners awarded a group showcase, and I was one of them?

The whole thing screamed technical error.

I was so lost in my own little world that I didn't hear my favorite person approach.

"Maya, it's breathtaking!"

A huge grin lit up my face. It was about time my best friend got here! I turned and jumped on Riley so quick that her and me suddenly found ourselves sprawled on the ground.

Laughing hysterically with Riley, I vaguely heard Mr. Matthews whisper harshly "Girls! Get up!", As he looked around at the growing circle of spectators we were acquiring. He looked mortified, as if we had never embarrassed him in public 10,000 times before this moment.

I waved to the crowd and gave a small bow once Riley and I decided to be vertical again. When they quickly dispersed, I felt slightly powerful.

Riley looked so beautiful in her purple dress, a gift from a cool blonde girl I know. Personally, I was beyond grateful I chose to wear pants that night. No way that move would have gone well in a dress. Memories of prom came flooding back but I quickly pushed those back down where they belonged.

"Thank you so much for coming!" I hugged Mr. And Mrs. Matthews long and hard. I cherished these opportunities. When college began, I didn't get to see them every day like it was before.

"Maya, it truly is stunning." Mrs. Matthews said as she stepped closer with her husband in tow. They both wore such proud looks on their faces.

"I feel so honored." Riley said looking up at the thing like it had made all of her dreams and wishes come true. In her defense, the painting was of her, but I couldn't help but giggle at her expression.

My art piece on exhibit tonight was the side of Riley's face, but with her hair replaced with leaves of multiple fall colors. I purposely made the leaves look like they were blowing away in the wind. I titled it "Leafy Lady."

Just kidding, but at that moment I couldn't remember what the thing was called because a figure of someone I had not seen in years was approaching.

A figure with piercing blue eyes.

Mr. Matthews, err... Cory, still weird to call them by their first names now, had seem him first apparently since he was almost to him.

What was Joshua Matthews doing here?

"My brother!"

"My brother!" Josh returned as they did that whole pull each other in with one arm and beat each other's back thing that guys do. I don't get it.

"I'm so happy you decided to accept our invitation." Topanga exclaimed. "Broke my heart when Cory told me you couldn't make it to the restaurant earlier, especially since we were celebrating your promotion." She swatted his shoulder.

"Sorry. New job, new responsibilities. Couldn't get away." he reached out to give her a hug. "What are weekends again?" He winked and smiled as he released her.

Riley chose that moment to jump into his arms and he reciprocated by swinging her around. I smiled. The two had the most adorable relationship. More big brother/little sister than anything else.

Before I had a chance to say hello myself, one of my art professors came by to congratulate me and tell me once again how beautiful the piece was and to generally just blab on and on and on. She loved to hear herself talk. I could never understand half of what she said in class.

I looked over toward Riley and her parents to see if there was any chance for escape and was surprised to see Josh looking at me. He smiled and gave me a quick nod of acknowledgement. I smiled in return and turned back toward Dr. Elliott.

Now, I definitely couldn't understand what she was saying and dang it, I was blushing. I had such a crush on him when I was younger. I had moved on, believe me, but even I couldn't deny the man only became better looking with age.

Some time after one in the morning or maybe just five minutes later, Dr. Elliott finally told me well done and goodnight. Good riddance too. The woman was exhausting. When I turned back toward Riley and her parents, however, Joshua was missing in action.

"Where did.." but Riley cut me off. "Come on! I need you to meet Daniel." she interjected. Suddenly intrigued, I forgot all about Joshua Matthews. Daniel was Riley's new love interest. They had been on a few dates and I had heard her talk about him on a few occasions, but had yet to be granted an opportunity to meet him. Until right now, that is.

We stepped towards a gorgeous tall man with auburn hair and a perfectly sculpted face checking something on his phone. He immediately put said phone away when he noticed us approaching.

"Hi Maya. I'm Daniel." he said sticking his hand out toward me to shake. "It's nice to finally meet you." He smiled at me, his perfect white teeth on display, and I think my knees shook a little.

Jesus, Riley, where did you meet him?!

Riley, with her sweetness and pretty face, always caught the good ones. Although part of me is still convinced she only wishes for a certain one in particular. Me on the other hand... Let's not talk about it.

Riley looped her arm through Daniel's as we continued to small talk and I had to admit. They looked really good together. Whether or not I fully approved had yet to be decided.

Cory and Topanga came over to join us. I noted Mr. Matthews' slightly troubled expression when interacting with Daniel. I couldn't quite tell if it was just being an over-protective father or something else. Something he knew that the rest of us did not.

We weren't able to talk long since I was needed to explain my painting to people approaching, but before she left, Riley and I made plans to have lunch soon. After another quick set of hugs from her and her parents, they were gone.

The rest of the night passed in a blur and I don't remember most of it. I was so tired all I could think about was curling up in bed with my cat.

I don't have a cat.

As everything was closing down, I made my way up to the railing, overlooking the exhibit hall. People watching is my favorite hobby. The letter had made its way out of my pocket and I was turning it in my hands again.

"Maya?" I jumped about ten feet in the air.

I turned to see an amused Joshua Matthews leaning against the wall behind me.

"Sorry" he muttered before walking over to lean against the railing next to me.

"Um. Hi. " Smooth Hart.

"It's been awhile." he said, his eyes fixed on the room below.

"Sure has." This conversation seemed familiar.

A thought occurred to me. "What are you still doing here? Why didn't you leave with Cory or Riley?"

"I wanted to talk to you." He turned toward me.

"You wanted to talk me?" I asked with an eyebrow raised.

"Absolutely. I wanted to tell you the painting you did of Riley was incredible."

"Oh. Well thanks." I said, still a little skeptical that he had been waiting around just for me.

"Plus, I didn't get to say hello to you earlier."

Ok.

"Also..." Here we go. "I noticed you haven't opened the letter from the MOMA yet."

I looked down at the white rectangle in my hands. Then narrowed my eyes at him in confusion. "Wait a minute! How did you know about..."

"Just open it." He interjected still smirking.

I kept the same narrow eyed look on my face as I stared at him, my fingers starting to tear through the envelope. He was still smirking and I was tempted to slap him. Just to see the shocked and surprised look it would cause. I pulled out the letter instead.

Dear Miss Hart,

The Museum of Modern Art is pleased to offer you an internship...

I started jumping up and down as I skimmed the rest of it. "Ohmygod. Ohmygod. Oh my GOD!" Josh started laughing at me.

"Wait. How did you know?" I stopped jumping.

"I work there. I saw a list of the new interns earlier this week and they mentioned you hadn't replied yet. When I told them I knew you, they asked me to reach out. Made it easier when Topanga invited me here."

I furrowed my brows again "You work there? But you're an architect. How..."

He pulled out a card and handed it to me before I could continue. I keep being interrupted tonight.

Joshua Matthews
Curatorial Assistant
Department of Architecture and Design
Museum of Modern Art

I think my eyebrows were in danger of disappearing into my hairline. Can you say job of a lifetime? Wow.

"Wow. That is... really impressive." He smiled as I handed the card back. "Seriously Josh, this is amazing! Congratulations!"

"Thanks" he said. "Congratulations to you too." motioning towards the letter.

I looked down at it with a small smile I couldn't seem to erase. "Thank you. I can't believe it."

"Well believe it. You earned it." I looked up at him and saw only sincerity reflected in his eyes. "So can I tell them you accept?"

I nodded so vigorously I think I got vertigo. "Yes! Thank you."

"You're welcome." he stared at me for a second. "Well hey, I gotta head out but I guess I'll be seeing you soon."

"Yeah I guess so."

He smiled at me one more time before turning and making his way towards the stairs on our right. I looked down at the letter still in my hands and hugged it to my chest.

"Oh and Maya!" I immediately lowered my arms and blushed at being caught hugging a letter. Josh smirked knowingly but said nothing.

Instead his eyes traveled all the way down my body before making their way back up.

"You look good."

With that he turned and sauntered down the stairs. I released a breath I hadn't realized I was holding. Shaking myself out of it, I hugged the letter again.

Finally. Finally my future was here. Finally I had a chance at fulfilling my dreams.

And nothing is going to get in my way.

I looked up just in time to see Josh walk out the main doors.

Absolutely nothing.