| PART 5 Alex and Isabel are the first to leave, and we follow them out. I watch the way Alex looks at her and my heart tightens. Don't do this to yourself, I tell myself. I force a smile and turn around to face my escorts. My eyes first land on Max and I say, "First off, call me Liz, otherwise I won't respond." I glance over towards Michael. When our eyes meet my stomach flip-flops and my heart, that felt tight moments ago, is fluttering. I feel my face start to heat up. I have to break eye contact. "Are you guys ready for an action packed day?" I ask trying to sound calm. "First I'll take you to get your books, then we'll head to your lockers. I'll give you a quick tour before your first class." I slow my pace down until I'm between them. "If you have any questions feel free to interrupt me at any time," I state as we head to our first destination. *********************************************************************** I am bored out of my mind. I look at my schedule. The good thing is that lunch is next. The bad thing is that this class doesn't end for another twenty minutes. I start to sketch in hopes that it will speed up time. Usually when I draw, I go with my feelings or thoughts. I don't actually pay attention to what I'm drawing until the outlines are done. This is so I can add definition. Most of the time, I just draw objects or scenery. I rarely draw portraits. However, this time there is a person looking back at me. I keep drawing vigorously to add shadows here and sharpness there. I want this to look perfect. I stop myself. Why did it matter? She's just some girl, right? Keep telling yourself that, Evans. You feel something for this girl. Whatever kind of spell she has on you, you can't deny you feel something. I look down at my sketch. I'm so lost in thought that I don't hear the bell ring. Out of nowhere, I hear someone calling my name. It sounds like it's far away. I think I'm imagining it so I ignore it. Then I sense a figure standing over me. I look up. I quickly close my book and jump out of my chair. It doesn't register right away what she's saying to me. All I can think about is she almost saw my drawing. She'd think I was some kind of sicko or something. She must have asked me a question because she's standing there like she's waiting for a response. I try to get my thoughts in order to answer her question. I say, "I'm fine." It appears like she's still waiting for more. "I was just looking over my schedule," I say rudely. Why did I lie? I'm about to tell her the truth, but she coldly replies, "Well come on, it's lunch time, and I don't want to wait for you all day." I silently follow her and Max to the cafeteria. *********************************************************************** I'm anxiously waiting for Michael. Max keeps talking about something, but I'm not paying attention. What's taking him so long? I look at my watch. I'm startled from my thoughts by Max when he lightly touches my arm. I jump in response. I look at him with an apologetic smile and say, "I'm sorry, I'm suppose to meet a friend for lunch to help her review for her test next period. I'm going to check to see what's taking your brother so long." I walk into the classroom and see Michael still sitting at his desk looking at something. I approach him cautiously saying, "Michael?" He still doesn't look up. I try to get a glimpse at what has captured his attention. I'm only able to see that it is a sketch of someone before he jumps up and closes his book. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean startle you, but I wanted to see why you didn't leave with the rest of your class," I say sincerely. "Are you okay?" I ask softly. It doesn't seem like he heard me, so I'm in the process of repeating myself when he finally says, "I'm fine. I was just looking over my schedule." I know he's lying, but for some reason it hurts. I just turn around and coldly say, "Well come on, it's lunch time and I don't want to wait for you all day." |