79 Art

"Thanks for joining us", Alex expressed her gratitude, "It's more fun when there are more people". 

"No problem", Mitchell replied, "You know, I'm surprised that this particular fivesome doesn't hang out more often considering we're ... you know".

"That we're the cultured ones", Alex remarked. 

"I wouldn't say that", Mitchell paused for a second, "Outside of this group". 

At his little joke, everyone started laughing. "Oh My God, did you know your dad goes to the grocery store to buy a book?". 

"I did know that", Mitchell confirmed, "Hey, did you know that the best way to get my sister to fall asleep is to-". 

"Show her a movie with subtitles", Zephyr interrupted. 

"Come on guys", Cam stopped them from continuing, "We should be happy and grateful that we have this whole day to spend together at our own private salon". 

"Don't tell my mom that", Manny said, laughing as he spoke, "She'll show up and ask to get her roots done". 

As they exited the parking lot, Mitchell curiously asked, "Hey, you two came before us, why didn't you go in ahead instead of waiting for us". 

"W-well", Alex stuttered, unsure of how to say what they were doing. 

"We thought it'd be more inclusive if we all went in together instead of in different groups", Zephyr said. 

"Yep. That's why", Alex quickly nodded her head. 

[Commentary]

"Zephyr and I didn't really want them there, but Manny was going to the art museum on the same day and my Mom found out so we had to go with them", Alex explained, "We didn't even really wait for them. Zephyr and I made out for a bit in the car". 

[Commentary ends]

"I'm so excited about this exhibit", Cam commented as they entered the art gallery, "I'm such a big fan and admirer of Kandinsky. You know, he was credited for creating the first truly abstract artwork". 

"Is that right?", Mitchell muttered, slightly unsure about the fact. 

Cam nodded his head, before noticing one of the security guards and making his way over to her, "Excuse me, could you direct us to the Kandinsky exhibit please?". Before the security guard could even speak, Cam added, "You know, Wassily Kandinsky. Born in Moscow, son of a tea merchant". 

Despite feeling proud of himself, Cam's hopes of not appearing dumb were soon to be crushed by the security guard, "I'm afraid to inform you but that exhibit is closed. It was only here temporarily". 

"Wh-what?!", Cam exclaimed/questioned, "No", he muttered, circling around the group of four with worry. 

"Oh, I love this Matisse", Alex remarked upon seeing the painting in front of them, "You know, this is one of his final works. His failing health led to his exploration of paper cutouts". 

"Yes, I believe he referred to it as Painting with Scissors", Zephyr added, nodding his head as he looked at the painting. 

"He was also a contemporary of Picasso", Manny continued. 

"Mh", Mitchell nodded, "You can see how they influenced each other". 

"It's surprising when you think about the fact that he didn't really want to be an artist but rather a lawyer", Zephyr commented. 

"Ah yes", Manny muttered, "I believe he discovered his passion for art while recovering from a case of appendicitis". 

"Truly a perfect example of how one can discover their passions even later on in life", Alex finished. 

"What do you think Cam?", Mitchell asked his husband-to-be. 

"Hm", Cam snapped out of his mental breakdown, "Uhm. I think it has a small flicker of resemblance to Kandinsky's artwork". 

"How so?", Alex inquired. 

"I was certain it held closer resemblance to the works of Klee", Zephyr added. 

"I feel more inclined towards Jackson Pollock", Manny countered. 

"I think both of you are right", Mitchell muttered, "I think I can see both of them in this. What do you think Alex?". 

"I'm with Zephyr in this one", Alex stated, "Although both painters had similar styles, the texture and expressionism behind it forces me to side with Klee". 

"Yes!", Cam exclaimed, "That's exactly what I thought!". 

"Please don't yell", the security guard instructed, "It disrupts the experience for other visitors". 

"Sorry", Cam apologised. 

"It's fine", the security guard calmed him down, "As long as you don't scream or raise your voice past a certain limit, it won't be a problem. Now, please have an enjoyable afternoon". Finished, the security guard walked away from them. 

"I'm such a clutz", Cam muttered, "Maybe I should go and wait for you guys outside instead. I wouldn't want to ruin the trip for you guys". 

"No need", Mitchell hurriedly intervened, "You heard the security guard. As long as you're careful and control ourselves, we'll be fine. Isn't that great?". 

"Yeah", Cam half-heartedly cheered, "That's great". 

[Time Skip]

Everyone was looking at a statue of a man and simultaneously released a small chuckle, bar Cam who started laughing awkwardly a few seconds later, "Yeah. That last thing. Funny. Funny. Funny. Funny". Seeing no obvious reaction from them, he added, "I must be a little behind you". 

"His words", Zephyr not so quietly whispered, sparking a small quiet giggle from Alex's lips. 

As they were exiting the room, Cam pinched Mitchell's arms and yelled/whispered, "Do you feel what's happening here?". 

"I feel pinching!", Mitchell exclaimed quietly. 

"I'm the weak link in this supergroup", Cam stated, "They know and I know it. It's fine when we're in a big group, but once I'm separated from the herd, the hooves come out". 

"Isn't it meant to be the claws?", Mitchell inquired. 

"Clawed animals don't travel in herds", Cam remarked as though it was obvious, "Packs, flocks and prides. Why couldn't we be on a farm?". Taking a deep breath, he muttered, "You know what, I'm making you all look dumb. I'm just going to wait outside". 

"Cam!", Mitchell worriedly yelled, watching the retreating form of Cam, "I'm sure you're imagining things". 

As they were walking away, a smile appeared on his face and he whispered under his breath, "And then there were two". 

[A few minutes later]

"How could a guy with so much pain create such hopeful imagery?", Alex commented as they exited the first gallery. 

"I certainly couldn't paint like that if my mother was dying of consumption", Manny remarked, "The last time she had a cold, I could barely arrange the flowers on the front table". 

"You know what I found so interesting?", Mitchell interrupted, "That the first and last paintings were so similar and I think that was arranged intentionally, perhaps to comment on the perpetual motion of life". 

"That's a good way of phrasing it", Zephyr stated. 

"Thank you", Mitchell said, grateful that he wasn't making a fool out of himself. 

"But the first and last paintings were, in fact, the same painting", Zephyr added. 

"A-are you sure?", Mitchell asked. 

"Yep", Alex nodded her head. 

"Y-you know what? I'm going to go check on Cam, and see what he's up to", Mitchell stated, quickly walking away. 

"And then there was one", Zephyr quietly murmured, his voice only audible to Alex who lightly jabbed his stomach with her elbow. 

[Time Skip]

"He-hey guys", Manny nervously muttered, "I think I should go and check on Mitch and Cam, see that they're okay. You guys go on ahead without me". 

"Are you sure Manny?", Alex inquired. 

"Yeah", Zephyr nodded his head, "We were having so much fun as well". 

"N-no worries", Manny quickly and anxiously answered, "I'll be fine". 

"If you say so", Zephyr shrugged, walking away with Alex, who was holding his hand. 

"Phew", Mannt sighed in relief upon seeing that they had disappeared, "Now to find those two dunces". 

[With Zephyr and Alex]

"What do you say we ditch them and go somewhere fun?", Zephyr asked once they were far enough from Manny. 

"Mh", Alex thought about it for a millisecond before replying, "Let's go. I'm tired of having to dumb things down for them". 

"I thought there was something going on", Zephyr muttered. 

"I'm just glad you played along", Alex mumbled. 

"Hey!", Zephyr exclaimed in indignation, "What do you mean?".

"You tend to make things harder for people just for the fun of it", Alex plainly answered. 

"That's only when I'm really bored or when I don't like that person", Zephyr argued.

"Whatever you say?", Alex rolled her eyes. 

(AN: Sorry about the late update but I've been really busy with school work and I've been tired as of late.)