McGee: Drawn to Life! (Special)

Chapter Seven

Reader Warnings:
This chapter contains scenes of bullying. Reader discretion is advised.

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NICHOLAS (Narrating):
[Spring-Break had ended as quickly as it began for me, wishing I had more time at home to spend with Tamara, especially with the baby on the way.

It also wasn't nearly long enough for Ellie. Her Aunt and Derrick had hoped she would've made at least one friend to hang out with over the break, to settle in more and be more comfortable, but instead, the girl spent most of the time in her attic oasis, sketching or sleeping, dreading having to return to school and having to deal with Conner. I wanted to help, but I had no idea how to bring back the happy, artistically gifted student I saw two weeks ago--

 But I was never meant to be the one to figure out how...

I would, unknowingly, leave that up to McGee.]

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*Ellie walked into her second-period class, almost ten minutes late, her hood up, looking roughed up.

Ten minutes prior, Conner had cornered her at her locker, and with Billy's help, went through her backpack and destroyed her pre-packed lunch as punishment for not paying him with her Aunt's money.

[ Conner: I don't know where you're hiding, but f you're not going to pay me back, then you don't get to eat--bring your lunch money, and I'll let you keep your packed lunch. Got that, doll-face?

*He spoke too sweetly, the aftertaste sour, holding her chin in his hand before he threw her head to the side, pushing her back into the lockers, and walked away with his friend in tow.* ]

She walked into the class, not even looking at the whiteboard as she tried to just get to her seat.*

NICHOLAS:
*He let out a long drawn-out sigh.*

 I'm glad you could finally join us, Miss Evergreen. Also, your hood--you should know the rules by now...

*The class snickered, Nicholas shooting them a glare before he continued.*

 Please find your seat; we were just discussing what everyone did over the break--

ELLIE:
*She winced, ducking her head more as the class murmured. She moved a little quicker to her seat, wanting to disappear as she pulled back her hood, her hair a bit disheveled from the fabric and the tussle of earlier.*

[He always has to mention the hood... maybe he'll get tired of saying it one day.] 

*She took her seat, doing her best to ignore Conner as he sat innocently beside her, Billy at his side.*

NICHOLAS:
[I feel I should be doing something more but what? Maybe I'll talk with Derrick today during cafeteria duty--he might have some ideas.]

*He took a moment to let that sentence sink in as he shook his head of it.*

 Anyways, let's go over what I want to cover up till the end of the year, including your last major project that will determine your final grade--

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*Towards the end of class, Nicholas invited the students up one by one to pick up their assignments from before the break, allowing the students to mingle and talk while doing so. When it was Ellie's turn, she struggled a bit, shyly making her way to his desk.

As she approached, her eyes caught the whiteboard, the picture of McGee happily welcoming everyone back. She felt her eyes widen slightly and her face flushed a tad; she had completely forgotten to check the board this morning like she always had. Somehow she felt bad about it. Was she really that out of it to forget? She sighed, stopping at the foot of the desk.*

NICHOLAS:
Miss Evergreen.

*He sat back in his chair with a soft smile, her project in its envelope at the front of his desk.*

I must admit I was worried when you said you wanted to push through and get the assignment done even though you had half the time the rest of the class did, but you certainly proved me wrong!