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Project Nightmare
The weekend went by quickly, even though Sunday was uneventful. Soon it was time to start another school week. Even though homecoming was still two weeks away, it was the main topic at school. The sign-up sheets for King and Queen were now posted and there was already a flock of giggling girls at the table. The guy's table was rather empty, figuring only the ones with girlfriends were forced to sign up.
Eventually I was able to push past the crowd of chattering people and made it to my locker. Marissa was already there waiting for me. She probably wanted to talk about homecoming as we walked to first period.
“Good morning Ally,” Marissa spoke with a smile. She seemed happier than normal this morning.
“Good morning, whats up?” I asked.
“Oh nothing really,” her smiled beamed even brighter.
“Well something seems different about you this morning. I know you tend to be chipper in the wee hours of the day, but not this chipper.” I laughed slightly.
“Really? You can tell that easily?” She looked at me shocked and then blushed.
“Well I was going to tell you anyways. I got asked to homecoming!” She practically shouted with glee.
“Oh really? Thats great. Who asked you?” I said while faking a smile.
“Bobbie. He is the first chair trumpet player in band. He is also in art class. You know the guy with red hair and lots of freckles.” She blushed more.
“Oh I didn't know you guys have ever spoken to one another. Isn't he a Senior?” I questioned.
“Yes! Thats the coolest part. Who would have thought a measly Freshman would be asked by a Senior to homecoming. I about died when he talked to me this morning.” She giggled.
“Well thats great then. I am glad you got asked.” I continued to fake a smile for many reasons. First it seemed odd that he would ask her, totally out of the blue. Something about it felt fishy. Second I was a tad bit jealous for I knew I would be going by myself. Deep down I was happy for her, but couldn't help having mixed feelings.
As the bell rang for the start of the school day, both Marissa and I headed to art class and took our seats. I was excited for one thing, and that was the start of a new project. I had wondered what it would be since we were suppose to start drawing people. The first thing that came to mind was self portraits. It would be difficult, but I was up for the challenge.
“Ok class, take your seats and we can get started.” Came Mr. Strumm's stern voice. I still found it funny that he was a completely different person outside the classroom.
“Well as you all know we are starting the unit on how to draw life like people. Now for your project, it will take a team effort. I want the first and third rows to turn around and face the person behind you. That will be your partner for this weeks project.”
Soon half the class turned around, which was followed by some moans and some giggles of excitement. As for me, I was staring back at Max who was now turned around facing me. I was still in shock at the turn of events. I was definitely not expecting any team or partners when it came to art projects. Max just seemed to smile coyly and then turned back around to face the front of the classroom again.
Mr. Strumm proceeded to wait patiently as the class calmed down and became silent before he continued on with the details of the project. “Instead of a self portrait, which I don't think this class is ready for, I want you to draw your partner. Work on making them as life like as possible using the techniques you will find in your text book. Majority of this project will have to be done on your own time, since I will be having to teach you about those techniques in class. This always seems to be the hardest unit of the semester so I want to make sure you are all comfortable with it by the end of the week. So lets get started with lecture.”
Everyone in the class seemed to be able to shrug off the project and pull out their textbooks, preparing to take as many notes as possible. I was stunned and annoyed that I would have to be spending time outside of class with Max. Thoughts of having to see Cecilia everyday bugged me as well. Eventually I was able to push those thoughts aside and pay attention to the lecture.
The bell for second period couldn't come fast enough and I found myself hurriedly putting my things away. I knew why I was doing it; I wanted to avoid speaking to Max about meeting up after school. I knew it was inevitable, yet I wanted to prolong it as much as I could. Unfortunately Max was quick to note my hurried demeanor.
“Hey Allison?” He attempted to get my attention, which I almost decided to ignore but gave in.
“Yes?” I questioned like I didn't know what he was going to ask.
“Do you have time after school today to meet up about the project? I would like to get as much started as possible. Kind of get it done and over with.” He appeared nervous, which attracted my full attention.
At least we both could agree on one thing. Get this project done and over with as quick as humanly possible. The less amount of time spent together the better. I could only imagine all the awkward moments ahead for us and I sighed.
“That sounds good to me. I will just have to call my mom and make sure she picks me up later than usual.” I avoided eye contact with him and pretended to mess with items in my backpack.
“Well if your mom has a problem with it and can't pick you up. I, well I could take you home. It's not like I don't know where you live or anything.” I looked up at him and noted a slight flush to his cheeks. Was this really as hard for him as it was for me? I wondered to myself. It almost made me angry that he was this shy around me, as if we had hardly spent any time with one another in the past.
I looked away and zipped up my backpack in a hurry. “Whatever is fine with me. I will see you after school at your locker,” and with that I made my way out of class and started towards Biology.
I felt like I could finally breathe again now that I was away from Max. As I continued to walk, I wondered where Marissa was. We usually walked to class together. As soon as I questioned where she was I saw her outside the classroom speaking to the red-haired boy whose name escaped me. My face was flushed for some reason as I watched them laugh and smile at one another. I almost felt jealous for him taking away Marissa from me, though that was a ridiculous thought. I decided to be the bigger person and just approach them both.
“Hi guys.” I spoke with a smile.
“Oh hey Ally. I wondered when you would get here. I didn't want to bother Max and you. Oh guess what! Bobbie is my partner for the art project” She smiled towards him, as he just stood there silent.
Bobbie proceeded to whisper something in Marissa's ear and she nodded in agreement. He then parted ways with us, completely ignoring my presence. I was okay with that since I didn't have much to say to him either, plus I was used to that kind of treatment. Marissa seemed to not even notice the subtlety.
“Well we should hurry inside before class starts.” She smiled as we both headed inside and took our seats at the lab table for another talk about Mendelian genetics.
Will and Ryan both came in late as usual to class and took their seats noisily. The teacher just eyed them with a glare and continued on with the lesson.
“So do you two losers have dates for homecoming?”Came a hushed whisper from Will.
I looked up at him annoyed and simply ignored him. Marissa on the other hand was a lot braver now that she had a date and snapped back at them. “Of course, unlike you two. Which reminds me, I hear you both keep getting turned down by every girl you ask. Now who are the losers in this scenario?” She smirked and continued to take notes. I almost busted up laughing then and there, but I contained myself to prevent getting yelled at by the teacher. I did note the two goon's expressions. They both looked rather humiliated, but at least that shut them up for the rest of the class period. I would have to give praise to Marissa later on.
The rest of the day came and went, and it was soon time to meet Max at his locker. When I got there no one was around, so I waited. I felt silly standing there alone at a guy's locker, even though it was just Max. As I stood there, my thoughts wandered to what it would have been like if Max and I were still friends. Would I normally stand here waiting for him like it was no big deal? Almost like a girlfriend would. I gasped with shock at that last thought and unknowingly moved to the next locker over. I couldn't believe I was thinking like that. What was wrong with me?
“Hey, sorry I'm late.” Max surprised me and I jumped. I then looked at him and felt my face heat up.
“Oh its no problem. I wasn't here long anyways,” I said while looking away, trying to hide my face while I waited for the blush to go away.
“Well do you think the art room might be free?” He asked while running his hand through his hair.
“It might. I don't think a lot of our classmates are starting their projects today. Most like to procrastinate like normal students do.” I laughed.
He laughed too and I actually found myself smiling at the feeling of being able to act halfway normal with him.
“Well lets check it out then.” He started to walk away and I causally followed him.
The art room was indeed empty and even Mr. Strumm wasn't there. I could feel myself become nervous at the thought of being alone with Max for a long period of time. To hide that fact, I started to gather art supplies and two canvases.
“Umm. Do you want to start drawing first or should I?” I asked while setting up two stands.
“I can start drawing you if you don't mind.” He coughed slightly and got situated at an easel. “I guess you can sit on one of the desks.”
“Sure.” I felt like I was shaking all over from nerves as I got up on the desk and turned so I was facing towards him. The room felt so quiet as we both just sat there. From the corner of my eye I could tell Max had already started to sketch me.
The thought of him drawing me made me blush again, which I tried to hide by looking down. The idea of drawing another human being seemed so personal, that it made me feel more awkward that it was Max drawing me.
“Could you look at me at least. It is kind of hard to capture your face while you are looking at the floor.” He chuckled.
I forced myself to look at him and our eyes locked. That moment seemed to linger on and I could tell he was blushing as much as me. I wondered why. Whenever I was even near him I was full of questions. How a person can affect another so much was beyond me. Even though the moment seemed to last for minutes, in a matter of seconds Max broke the link between us and continued to sketch on the canvas. I continued to look at him and noted the change in the atmosphere; continually becoming even more unnerving and quiet.
An hour went by, and Max decided it was time for us to switch places. As I got down from the desk, I made my way towards him to see his progress. Shockingly, Max covered his easel with a cloth before I could see it. I thought about asking him, but I figured I would just have to wait for it to be finished. I wondered if he felt embarrassed at all about having to draw me. I quickly shook those thoughts out of my head as I made myself comfortable at my easel.
“Could you stand over by the window?” I asked shyly. I wanted to add the affect of the light shining in around him, almost angelically.
“Okay.” He replied and managed to find a comfortable way to lean against the wall in front of the window.
I hurried to trace his frame since I knew I was running out of time before the sun would start to set. Luckily I was able to capture the light and had a good start on his outline. I then started on his face. When I looked up at him, he seemed lost in thought. He stood before me staring off at nothing, and it almost seemed he had a look of sadness about him. I decided to not disturb him and draw him like that, wondering what could be on his mind. I never asked because I didn't have a right to.
As I finished up his facial features, we were interrupted by Cecilia's not so lovely entrance.
“Oh there you are sweetie.” She spoke with an over the top sweetness in her voice.
“I was wondering where you were while I was at cheer practice. I missed you.” She kissed his cheek and then looked towards me as if noticing my presence for the first time. “Oh what is she doing here?”
“Don't you remember. I told you I was going to have to start staying after class with Ally for our art project.” He appeared nervous, almost like he was caught doing something he shouldn't.
“Oh yeah. I totally forgot.” She laughed. I couldn't stand her laugh. I would claim it had to be the most annoying sound to ever come out of a human being.
“Well I guess I should be going. I have to call my mom and tell her I am ready to be picked up.” I started to pack up my things.
“Wait. You don't have to do that. I can take you.” Max spoke up, and I could see Cecilia turn and look at him with annoyance.
“Thats alright. I will see you in class tomorrow.” I smiled and headed out the classroom. I could only imagine the grill session by Cecilia that awaited Max.
In a way I felt bad that Max was hooked up with her, but it almost seemed like justice. I laughed to myself as I walked the empty halls to the pay phone. I called my mom and it didn't take long for her to hurry over and pick me up. I actually didn't mind her asking about my day, and I even told her about my art project. Slowly it seemed that Max and I were at least moving towards normalcy once again. I smiled as I remembered our fleeting moment in the art room.
 eimichan · Sun Nov 04, 2007 @ 09:30pm · 0 Comments |
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