MY LITTLE ARTIST

FIVE

Camila

Leaving Lauren's class had no doubt left me deflated. I was doing such a good job at wrapping her around my little finger with the taunts but now I almost felt like she had one up

All I wanted was some harmless fun but now I felt it my duty to win back my reputation. As hard as it would be I needed to think of something that would put me back on top

"Hey! Wait up!" Nova yelled from behind as I made ways back towards my dorm "I have to go and get some more paper from the art store, I heard Lauren tell you to buy some stuff and I was wondering if you wanted to come with?"

"No, I'm ok thanks" I replied, burying myself in pity with my tattered back pack barely holding onto my shoulders

Nova sighed a deep breath "She's a lot I know, pretty but harsh!"

"I don't care what she thinks of me!" I spat back, lying through my teeth "She's so stuck up and entitled it hurts!"

"You like her though right?" Nova interjected "I see the way you stare at her, your drawing too.. looked a little like her!"

"What?" I asked, pausing on the spot "I don't like her, she just intrigues me! All I want is for her to be knocked down a few pegs anyway, respect my art like she does everyone else's"

Nova shook her head with a laugh "Well she's a hard cookie to crack, I spent all of last year obsessed with her! Just wanting her approval but I kind of worked out that her methods are more so to push you than praise you!"

"So she's a jerk!" I laughed "Normal people at least compliment someone a little!"

Nova turned towards me, accepting that I was following her towards the campus entry point instead of returning to my dorm "She's just stubborn I guess, she's really cool if you get on her good side though.. you're already on it!"

"Me?" I sniggered a little too loud "No I'm not! Have you not heard the way she speaks to me?"

"She pays you attention girl!" Nova replied dramatically "How often do you see her bothering anyone else!" She continued "You made her see you! Now all she can think about is making sure you don't act out or get yourself into trouble!"

I gazed off into the distance as we walked, agreeing with just how much of her time I happen to take up "I guess so, but it's not enough for me!"

"What do you mean?"

I shrugged "I don't know, I just want to see what she's like outside of the classroom, where she has no power over me!"

Nova tilted her head in thought for a moment before speaking "Well, I guess you could?"

I offered her a sliding glance "Go on?"

"I mean she goes out partying every night? What's stopping you rolling up and taking a look?" She wriggled her eyebrows suggestively

The idea of seeing Lauren out at the club, drunk and dressed up.. it was brilliant! Of course I wanted to play things against her but I was also a little selfish, wanting to admire her and study her gaze, her laugh her eyes? I wanted all of it despite my dislike for her foul attitude

"Let's do it tonight!" I replied as quickly as I could, shocking Nova who paused again to stand with a tilted head "Please!"

"Really?" She asked apprehensively "Are you sure?"

I stepped closer into Nova's stature "I'm sure! Please Nova! I'll do anything?"

"Anything?"

"Yes!" I almost yelled as I watched her face screw up in thought