the next morning, after a pretty awkward and rushed morning in diana's crammed bathroom, we manage to make it to art class on time. diana forgot to set the alarm to wake us up, so instead of a nice, calming, rainforest to arise from slumber, i got diana screeching into my ear that we only had a half hour to get ready.
i've come to find that diana is the exact opposite of myself in the morning. when i wake up, it's basically like watching a baby bird hatch from its egg or something. the ends of my mouth are usually covered in drool residue, and my hair appears as if i've been nesting with rats for the past ten years. i won't even bring up my clothes, which are almost always in desperate need of some serious ironing. but when diana wakes, i swear to god, i've never seen anything more graceful. her hair is all brushed and i guess she just naturally looks like she's wearing makeup, even if she really she really isn't. i bite my lip to keep from awkwardly asking if i was a pain to sleep next to.
diana chooses to wear a white sundress covered in daisies that comes down to just above her knees. she sports a white cardigan, but i have a feeling she'll be ditching it sooner or later, considering how warm it's gotten over the past few weeks. diana wears a pair of black ballet flats, and to tie the look together, her signature brunette wig that i've just gotten used to at this point.
and as for myself, i've decided on a pair of baggy overalls that i'm pretty sure we're my mom's back in '90s and a black tank top. i've got a plaid flannel wrapped around my shoulders, and my black converse on my feet that i've had since middle school. it's a simple look, very "jennifer love hewitt in i know what you did last summer" if you ask me, but i like it, for the most part.
i collapse onto the wooden stool with a huff, rubbing my eyes while attempting to hold back a yawn. i didn't get much sleep last night, really. my mind was clouded with images of diana and oliver and james. i know diana meant well with her questions, and i hate that i'm like this, but i can't help it. it's just who i am. there's no changing the fact that i'll almost never wanna open up to anyone.
diana and i don't talk for most of the class, and i think it's the first time i've ever actually hurt her. i've always been blunt and been mean when i've never actually meant to, but diana's so upbeat and chipper, i really didn't think it was possible to hurt her feelings. but obviously i was wrong. i guess she does have a breaking point. who knew.
by the end of the class, it's just diana, bea, and myself left in the room. i gather all my supplies together and clean off my paint brushes while diana silently does the same. i can't help but feel a pang in my chest every time i glance over at her and she won't look at me. who knew the day would come when i missed diana's incessant yammering.
diana's the first of us to leave the room, and i'm close on her heels when bea grabs my arm and pulls me aside. we don't really talk much about anything other than my art, which she says is among the best she's seen, i mean, not to brag or anything.
"is everything okay, florence?" bea asks with concern in her voice.
great. just what i need. another person asking if i'm okay. i mean, seriously, what's it with people today and asking about everyone's feelings? i miss when people just ignored me or berated me. things were simpler then.
"yeah." i shrug nonchalantly, gripping straps of my backpack where i keep my art supplies. "i'm fine."
"are you sure?" bea asks, crossing her shaul, covered arms over her chest. "i mean, it's not like you're one of my more...extroverted students, but i've noticed over the past few weeks that you've been happier, opening up more. at least not to me. but today...i just wanted to check in with you."
did i really appear that sad today? damn, i really gotta work on my poker face...
"it's just some stuff going on at home." i half-lie. "nothing too serious. i'm sure i'll be back to myself next week."
YOU ARE READING
the moral of the story
Teen Fictionmeet florence walsh. she's an offbeat sixteen year old stuck in the shadow of her perfect older sister and overlooked by her parents. for almost a year and a half now, she's been an outcast in society and her school, ostracized by everyone she knows...
