Guidance

As Lily walked down the hall, someone waved through the window of the Guidance Counselor’s office. She stopped to look and realized Mrs. Shannon was waving at her. Lilly thought this was strange, but detoured to the guidance office.

“Ms. Doran, thank you.  Your timing is impeccable, we were just talking about you,” Mrs. Shannon said.

“Good things only I hope,” Lily said with a smile. She walked into the guidance office fully. It was a tiny place filled with comfortable seating and reference material for universities all over the world. In the back there was a small private office area for the counselor and a student to sit and discuss their future, but, in Lily's experience, that space was never used. They instead gravitated towards the comfy chairs in the reference section.

“Only good things, Ms. Doran, only good things,” Axle said. 

Lily jumped slightly, turning towards the sound of the voice that she already recognized. He sat in one of the comfy seats near a coffee table, surrounded by short bookcases.  He had  just been out of her line of sight..

“Hello again Axle, I hope your first day is going well. At the very least I hope no one else ran into you again.  So sorry,” she said, sounding uncomfortable.

“Yes, Axel mentioned your dramatic introduction to each other,” Mrs. Shannon said with a smile. He also shared that you generously offered to give him a tour of the school.  I'm happy when teachers go above and beyond. Which is why I called you now. It seems there is another way you might be able to help,” she said, earnest energy almost bubbling over.

“I mean, anything I can do to help students, I always try my best,” Lily said, not sure where Mrs. Shannon was going with this situation.

“Wonderful! You see Axle. I told you she wouldn't mind.”

“Thank you Ms. Doran. Not many people would agree to help without knowing what they were agreeing to. You must be a very dedicated educator.”  Axle’s words were polite, and yet, somehow, his smile was teasing.

“Oh right, my apologies. I haven't told you what Axle needs help with. You see, our young man here has come mid semester and needs help with his university applications. He has early interest from some top universities, and already has offers from some very good schools,” Mrs. Shannon said, beaming as if he was her own son.

“The school he is excited about though, indicated that his application requires more than just good grades.  They want to make sure they're letting in well-rounded and balanced students. Not just academically strong, but have interests outside of good grades.” She paused for a breath.   Miss Shannon had also been here for decades and everyone knew and loved her. She went above and beyond to help students, because who at 17 or 18 really knew the inner workings of University and College applications? She looked like a perfect grandmother, complete with an understated pearl necklace and a bright colored dress set.

“Of course Mrs. Shannon, I understand what you're saying, but how can I help specifically?”

“Well, sports are out, since he has come late in the season.  So he needs to showcase another passion that would demonstrate he's well-rounded,” Mrs. Shannon looked at Lily and said, “He has a great appreciation for art and wants to use that somehow.  We wondered if you could help him showcase this aspect of his personality in a way that would be interesting to the universities he's applying to?”

“Appreciation for art is a pretty broad statement. Does he have a portfolio?  Any competitive entries, any showings or class work?” Lily sometimes got a little defensive when people didn’t take art seriously, and was still trying to figure out what they expected here.

Axel looked at her with his sharp green eyes, as if appraising her.  “Actually, Ms. Doran, my appreciation is as an observer and lover of Art. I used to spend a lot of free time at the art museum and galleries when I was in the city. I already miss it,” he said, and sounded a little down.  

He stood up, and Lily was forced to look up into his face. ‘Was he this tall this morning?’ she wondered.

“I think my love of Art stems from my complete lack of talent in it,” he said with a smile that seemed pretty normal, not like all the sly and mocking smiles she’d seen from him so far. Lily wondered if that smile was because Mrs. Shannon was there to observe him.

“I want to organize an exhibition here in Stars Hollow. Using local artists.  Not just students, I want the unsung and unknown artists of all ages to participate,” he said, his energy rising above the indolence she had seen so far.

“It sounds interesting, but I don’t know how many artists you can find…” Lily said, but he kept talking over her.

“Not only will it show my love of Art, but I'll get to leverage the skills that I am already good at.  I want to major in marketing and business, and have studied everything I can about them.” He turned to Lily then, and, energetically, took her hand.

“To make it possible, I need an insider who can evaluate the talent we're looking at, and a local to help me find the people to showcase.  You’re both of those Ms. Doran!”

Lily stared into those eyes, as he talked so seriously about something she hadn't even imagined was possible in their tiny town.

“An art exhibition, here,” she said a little breathlessly.

“What do you say Ms Doran, are you in?”