I Drew You Once in Art Class

Six

Frank's face was red throughout most of the day, hoping desperately if he held his arms pinned to his side and zipped his hoodie to the top, the ancient-dog smell wouldn't be as noticeable, but no such luck.

At least he had art next.

He walked in the hallways, keeping his eyes glued to the floor, hoping no one would notice him. He turned into the doorway of his art class, sitting on his normal metal stool and dropping his backpack at his feet. An hour more. Then he could leave. His eyes watched the clock, the red hand ticking so slowly he thought the clock must be broken. The art teacher, a tall woman with an auburn ponytail and almost comically thick glasses began to speak. "I have an assignment for you guys today."

"It'd be weird if you didn't," some kid cracked, the class lightly chuckling. The teacher smiled. "Your assignment is due Friday. Two days from now. Your job is to pick a place that brings you joy and sketch it. That's what my self-help book says to do. It says..." she went on describing her middle-aged white woman self-help book and the class started ignoring her, as always. Everyone looked annoyed; any assignment where the subject to recreate wasn't immediately given to them was a pain. Frank knew he'd pick the lake. His house didn't really make him happy. Besides, he knew most people would immediately pick their bedrooms, so he'd have the place to himself.