The First Life

The First Life: Chapter Three

Three:

I was the last person to get to art class. I hurried to my work area next to Leslie and listened to what Mr. Hues was announcing.

“This week I would like each of you to make three paintings or drawings…or two drawings and one painting or vice versa…of your choice. Be sure to demonstrate at least one different technique in each piece that we have covered from the begging of the semester until now. Each piece will be accompanied by a one page paper describing your piece, its significance or meaning, and techniques you used. These will be due three weeks from now at the end of class. Keep in mind that this is your midterm people, your pieces will be displayed at the art department’s end of the year art gala with your names on it. So I suggest attempting to do a fabulous job. You may now begin.” He waved his hand dismissively.

 Leslie and I walked over to our assigned cabinet to gather our supplies.

“So what do you think? Three drawings or paintings…or two drawings and one painting, or vice versa” Les mocked.

I laughed, and looked to make sure Mr. Hues couldn’t hear us. “Don’t know yet. You?”

“Probably 3 paintings. Maybe something a little abstract that way it doesn’t have to look perfect. I’ve never really been great at drawing. Remember that one of the tree I turned in? Definitely don’t want something like that at the gala with my name on it…”

While Les was talking I became lost in thought of Adam. There was something about him I just couldn’t place this morning something familiar about him and the feeling I got when he was in the room… what was that?

“Hello, earth to Alivia. Come in Alivia…” I blinked my eyes a few times and saw Leslie waving her hand in front of my face.

“Sorry Les.” I felt horrible for zoning out on her.

“It’s okay…is everything alright? Ever since you came into class you’ve seemed a little out of it.”

“Just thinking…” I really wanted to tell her what happened this morning, maybe I’d settle for telling her half the story. “…so I had the new student in my English class this morning.” I slightly looked up at her from under my lashes, pretending it wasn’t a big deal, and I continued to sketch.

Leslie on the other hand thought it was a big deal. She stopped working all together. “WHAT?!” some students looked up at her and she fell into a loud whisper. “Oh my gosh I can’t believe you didn’t tell until now.” She could hardly contain herself. “So tell me more, is he as gorgeous as I heard?”

“Calm down! it was just last period, this is the first time I've seen you since then." She rolled her eyes and told me to continue. "His name is Adam, and I didn’t spend my class staring at him but yeah I guess he was pretty good looking…I don’t really know how I mean he looks like every other guy but better…” I took a deep breath in and sighed. “He’s nice too I guess. I dropped my papers and books on the way out of class…he helped pick them up.” I left out the fact that I dropped them because I was trying to avoid him.

“Oh come on Liv that can’t be it.”

“Well…it was weird…when we first made eye contact I couldn’t… I mean it was hard to-” I was cut short by a loud screeching sound that filled the class room and flashing lights from the fire alarm. Maybe it was for the best, how would I explain not being able to breath and electrical currents between Adam and I? and I wasn’t even sure if it actually happened or I had been imagining it. Though it felt pretty real.

“Okay class you know the drill leave everything and when you get out to the front parking lot meet in our designated area so I can do a head count.” Mr. Hues said calmly. He was obviously given a heads up about the fire drill.