Always

20| art project

LAYLA

"Alright, settle down everyone." Ms. Marano said as the chitter-chatter in the art room died. "Today, I have a very interesting lesson planned for you. This project will be done in groups of two, and I have already put everyone in a pair. I'll announce them at the end of the class." A protest rose around the class.

"Quieten down. I know you all would like to select your own partner, but that won't be the case today. So, as I was saying, what I want you to do is work together on an art piece. Each pair will be assigned a different work." I raised my hand. 

"Ms. Di Angelo?" 

"Are we going to re-create an artwork?" 

"Not quite, you'll observe the painting." Observe? "You and your assigned classmate will look at the art given to you. You can visit the nearest art museum for that. The next class, you will give me your report. There will be questions attached with the painting name I'll give you.

There won't be two answers though, both of you will have to think of an answer you both agree with, unless of course, the questions ask for both your opinions. You'll be given a week's time, so you must hand in your complete assignments in the next class. Any questions?"

No one said anything. "I'll take that as a no. Alright then, I'll go around the class and give you your worksheets. If your partner isn't present here, arrange to meet with them later." 

She gave me my worksheet as everyone else started to pair up. I looked at my assigned painting. 'Starry Night by Vincent van Gogh'. I love that masterpiece. Then I looked at my assigned partner. Oliver Deniz, who happened to be absent today. Great.

I sighed. After everyone had their sheets, Ms. Marano went back to the front of the class. "Now, go through your questions, ask if you have any doubts, and discuss softly." 

I decided to take a look at the questions, since I had nothing else to do. The questions were quite interesting. I tried to mark them out by what I remembered of the painting, but some of them required a closer look.

Finally, the bell rang marking the end of the day, twenty-five minutes later. "Don't forget to finish your project this week. Class dismissed." I packed my things and headed towards the door along with the rest of my class. "Oh Layla, wait." I stopped in front of the teacher's desk.

"Oliver isn't here today, right?" 

I nodded. She took out a worksheet. "This is his worksheet; can you please give it to him when you next meet?" 

"Sure." I said as I took it from her hand. 

"Thank you. Enjoy your weekend!" 

"I'll try." I heard her chuckle as I walked out of the classroom.

Oliver Deniz. I knew that guy, he was on the basketball team. Our first project together and he doesn't even show up on the first day. Yeah, this was off to an awesome start. I then realized we had barely even talked. I didn't know him. I didn't have his number. How was I supposed to arrange a meeting with him? I groaned as I reached my locker. I had only interacted with him once, as far as I remembered. And we didn't even exchange more than two sentences...

There was just one seat left as I entered the Maths class, in the right most corner at the back. Right beside the popular sports guy, Oliver Deniz. He was one of the non-arrogant jocks, which was a relief. I went over and sat down as the class began.

Half-way through the class when I looked over to my left, Oliver was asleep with his head on the desk, making a pillow out of his open notebook. I decided not to snitch on him, instead another thought came to my head, and I stifled a laugh. I took a black Sharpie out of my pencil-case and uncapped it.