Curiosity Never Killed The Cat

Chapter 6: An Empty Sky

School Rooftop, 2:15 pm

Joy: "HHaaaa."

My final period is photography, I only chose it because the photography teacher lets students roam the school freely during class so they can "find inspiration." What a load of shit. There is literally nothing inspiring about this town. Its landscapes are so generic and don't even get me started on the people. This place is obscure because no one noteworthy is ever born here. This town doesn't raise talent.

I always come to the roof during my final period because its off limits to students. Luckily for me, I can pick locks. I bring my sketchbook in case I get "inspired" or whatever but all I have up here to sketch is the sky.

I stared down at my half-assed attempt at sketching the sky. It's nothing but shaded clouds and an invisible sun. I scowled at it. 

Joy: "Unremarkable."

I dropped my pencil and tore off the sheet crumpling it. Then I threw it as far as I could, feeling disgusted just looking at it. I gaped at the blank, lifeless sky feeling disappointed. I followed each swoop of the cloudy streaks with my eyes. While doing so I began to think.

Nothing at this school is worth drawing.  

Then I froze.

Joy: "!!!"

Except her...

I tilted my head back down at my book and grabbed my pencil. I began sketching everything I could remember, from her dark and shaggy hair to her crimson eyes that looked like blood-soaked rubies. Her soft skin and confused expression. Every detail I could muster up in my head I put down on that sheet paper. When I finished I gazed at my work. 

Joy: "Well done, not so bad Joy."

I was pretty proud of it. It was astonishingly accurate. 

RIIIIIIIIIIIIIIINNNNNNNGGGG*

A little startled I realized I'd lost track of time and now school was over. I should head down. I grabbed my stuff and put it in my bag. I slipped on my Black zip-up sweatshirt and pulled on the hood. Walking down the stairs I plugged in my earbuds and turned my music up loud enough to block out outside noise.

School Front Gate, 3:10 pm

Exiting the school I thought of where I could go. I have so much time to kill. I could go to the skatepark? It's usually pretty empty there, but I can't guarantee I won't run into anyone. The old children's playground? Yeah, that's perfect. I know for a fact I won't be bothered there.

Abandoned Children's Playground, 3:42 pm

When I arrived at the playground I took a moment to breathe it in. It was dark and wet because of the shade. The equipment was covered in overgrown plants and best of all, there were no people in sight. 

I walked to the back of the desolate playground and laid down on a metal bench. It was a little rusted due to the moist air but still comfortable. I gazed at the gigantic leafy trees that cast shadows on the domain. I felt at peace. This place was quiet and just like me, unwanted. Me and this playground have so much in common. It's feared and unknown by so many. It may seem ugly to others but I think it's beautiful. If there was anywhere in this town I could get inspiration from, it's this place.

SNAP*

I Jolted up when I heard a noise. Frantically, I looked around the area searching for its source. Then I heard it.

Muffled voices in the distance*

Shit! 

I grabbed my stuff and threw on my backpack. But the voices were getting closer.

Fuck, where do I go???

The voices were now discernable and I could hear the conversation that was being held.

Wait a sec, is that who I think it is?

I peered over the equipment to see Delilah and a small boy holding hands and gawking at the playground.

Jack: "Look Li Li, it's covered in green stuff!!!"

Delilah: "Yeah, it's pretty overgrown."

I snickered a bit. Li Li???

Delilah narrowed her eyes a bit with confusion. Damn, she heard me.

I walked out from behind the equipment so she could see me. She jumped a little.

D:"!!!"

I smirked. She's adorable, I want to tease her a bit. So with a sarcastic grin, I said-

J: "Hey Li Li."