“Oh! Well, sure. Yes. Of course, school is very important.” She cringes again, and I give her aGet it togetherlook. The teacher walks in at that moment, and Alexis squeezes my hand. “We’ll talk after.”
I nod, smiling after her. It’s going to be all right. I’m ignoring the whole Mason part of it. I don’t think I want to talk to that guy ever again. Alexis was right when she said I should try more with her friends. I just wish this came more easily to me. I wish I didn’t feel so self-conscious around them.
Even though all I want to do is think about my great-aunt’s sketchbook and analyze the existence of the murals, I have to make up for slacking off. I force myself to listen intently to everything Dr. Preston is teaching and write every single word down until that cramp in my palm flares up, familiar from when I draw. I press through it and write and write.
When the bell rings, a collective groan of relief erupts from the class. I gaze down at my notebook, pleased to see I’ve filled eight pages of notes.
“I’ll meet you at the library in twenty minutes, all right?” Jamie says, already slinging his bag over his shoulder.
“Sure,” I say.
“I really like this.” He taps a finger on the cover of my notebook, where I drew a sea turtle.
“Thanks. I drew it.” I can’t explain the little happiness jumping in my stomach when his eyes go wide.
“You’re really talented.” He gives me one last smile before leaving.
I pack my pencil case and notebooks, feeling a certain lightness in my chest. I didn’t understand most of what Dr. Preston explained, some of the topics feel like I’ve only brushed the surface level, but I was able to keep up. Which means I can do my research at home and understand them better.
I see Audrey, the girl from the school paper, packing her bag as well. Now that I’m drawing again, I can see the same passion for writing reflected in Audrey. That sparkle in her eyes when she asked me to do the interview. I make my way to her and say, “Hey.”
She glances at me in surprise, and the red in her hair tie glitters. “Hey?”
“I wanted to apologize again for not doing the article.”
Her eyebrows raise, and she shakes her head. “Nah, don’t worry about it. I shouldn’t have come at you like that. I was just stressed with last-minute deadlines. But I get not wanting to talk aboutyourself to the whole school. That’s your right.” She gives me a small smile that I return.
“Thank you.” She’s nice, and I think I would like to have talked to her. I wonder if she would talk to me outside the whole article thing.
She grasps my shoulder. “Seriously, don’t worry about it. See you around.”
“Yes. For sure.”
She leaves, and I turn around to see Alexis and her friends crowding me.
“Hey, Jihad,” Hayley says.
There are still some of the other students in the class but no teachers.
“Hey?” I glance at them uncertainly. “Can I help you with something?”
Hayley, Jenny, and Alexis are wearing excited expressions while Nicole studies me intently.
“Jamie asked you to meet up in the library?” Jenny exclaims. “Oh my God, you know the history section is averypopular make-out spot.”
“He—I suggested the library,” I say, a bit dazed.
Nicole’s shoulders sag with relief.
“Still!” Hayley says. “This is big. Youhaveto tell us everything that happens.”
“Yeah, Alexis says you’re also a great artist. When we were over last week, she showed us the flowers you drew on her wall. They’resobeautiful. You’re really talented, you know?” Jenny says, beaming at me.
This catches me off guard, and I glance quickly at Alexis, who winks at me.
“Th-thank you,” I say with a genuine smile.
“We’re all going out tomorrow to this really cute bakery in the Village. Would you like to come?” Nicole asks, and I try to hide my surprise.
