He whirls around in his chair. The look he shoots me is one that tells me he doesn’t want anyone looking at his stuff.
I back away, holding up my hands. “Sorry. Didn’t mean to bother you.”
He shakes his head. “No, I didn’t know it was you.”
He looks at me and I look at him.
I move from one foot to the other. “I just wanted to make it clear that I’m not doing that again. It was just a one-time thing. I was desperate.” I’m not going to make the mistake of missing dinner again. “I don’t want you to think I’m…”
He lifts a brow. “Bad? Don’t worry, I was just messing with you.”
“Oh. Right. Just making sure.”
He doesn’t say anything as he continues to paint. I watch how his hand expertly dances across the canvas. “It’s very pretty,” I tell him. “You’re so talented.”
He looks up at me, and for a second I wonder if I’m making him uncomfortable. But his eyes soften. No smile, though.
“Thanks.”
“Is it based on somewhere?”
He nods. “My dad and I used to go here when I was a kid.”
“That’s sweet.” I’m tempted to ask him what happened to his dad and why he doesn’t live with him, but it’s none of my business.
He doesn’t say anything, just focuses back on his painting. I wait a second or two, then return to my station and resume mine. It’s nearly done, I just need to add some more color to a few characters.
When there are a few minutes left to class, Miss Moreno calls for attention. We all drop our paintbrushes and palettes and focus on her.
“As some of you know, there’s an art contest for high school students. Whoever wants to submit a piece to the judges, please come to my desk and let me know. The rest of you are dismissed.”
I wish I were good enough to submit a piece. I can imagine the judges laughing when they see my pathetic painting.
Damian gathers his things and makes his way to the door.
“Damian, a minute, please,” Miss Moreno calls. He turns around and heads to her, his backpack slung over his shoulder.
“Are you sure you don’t want to submit a piece?” Miss Moreno asks him as they step away from the other students crowding around her desk. I’m finishing up my painting and can hear nearly every word they’re saying.
“You’re very talented. I have confidence you’ll make it far in the contest.”
He shakes his head. “I don’t want to.”
She nods slowly. “It’s your decision, but are you sure you don’t want to take a few days to think it over? You have until the end of the month.”
“No, thanks.”
She frowns, but nods again. “All right. You’re dismissed.”
He turns around at the same time I walk to the door and he slams into me. It’s such a hard bang that it knocks the wind out of me.
“Sorry. You okay?” he asks as he looks into my eyes.
“Yeah, sorry. I should watch where I’m going. Do you want to head to the library together? We’re both going there anyway.”
He shakes his head. “I need to go home first. Got to take this thing off.” He loosens his tie. “And this lame blazer.”
“Right. And you need to change into your leather jacket.”
