McGee: Drawn to Life! (Special)

Chapter Eleven

*As the school day started to trickle to an end, Ellie's anxiety flared up again, delaying herself in her last class as she slowly put her things away. Although this wasn't abnormal, as to give Conner and Billy a head start home and unlikely to bother her, she had a new reason driving her steps to be slower.*

MCGEE:
*He nuzzled himself up into her cheek, trying to give his girl confidence, speaking low so only she could hear.*

 I'm tellin' ya, Ellie, Nicky is mostly likely chatting it up with Derrick about who knows what. I usually have to lay in his bag for an extra hour before we get out to the car.

*He chuckled.*

ELLIE:
*She placed the earbud in her ear, holding her phone in her hand as she threw her backpack over her shoulder.*

 I-I'm sure you're right--you do know him better than anyone after all.

MCGEE:
--and before you know it, all this will be behind us and we can go back to our grand adventure as Romeo and Juliet during lunch! Gotta make the most of it before the weekend, after all!

ELLIE:
O-oh, the weekend...right, I nearly forgot about that!

*Was it insane to think that a weekend apart from this small toon sounded incredibly long? Almost unfathomable? Thirty minutes a day was already so little, but she knew they couldn't take what they had for granted, let alone the fact they had an unexpected outing today as well.*

Well, then we definitely need to give the next few lunches the most epic reenactment of the century!

MCGEE:
Yeah!! See, that's the spirit!

*He nuzzled into her neck, both of them giggling as Ellie made her way out of the classroom and down the short set of hallways back toward the art room. He inwardly sighed, not wanting to leave Ellie, but he knew it had to be done for their safety.*

 So, what's the plan?

ELLIE:
*She adjusted her backpack strap, walking down another hallway as the art room door came into view.* 

Well, I was thinking I could back up close to the bookshelf casually while I talk to Mr. Martin about something -- I figured I could ask a few follow-up questions to today's lesson, that's innocent enough, right? And then you can slip back into your sketchbook while he's distracted! 

MCGEE:
Beautiful and smart!? Boy, I got lucky with you!

ELLIE:
H-hey, now!

*She nuzzled back into him, both of them giggling before suddenly, Ellie stopped dead in her tracks.*

MCGEE:
*He felt her stiffen under his grip and he blinked.*

Ellie?

*When she didn't respond, he peaked around her neck. Suddenly, he felt the ink drain from his face. In the doorway of the art room stood Nicholas, his arms crossed and looking directly at the girl.*

 U-uh oh...

ELLIE:
*She gripped her fists around the straps of her backpack nervously. She was still far enough away for him not to hear her, luckily.*

 McGee, he knows! He has to know. Why else would he be waiting like that!?

*She muttered under her breath.*

MCGEE:
L-lets not jump to conclusions! M-maybe he wanted to talk to you anyways? I mean you are his star student--

*He held up a finger.* 

It's like I always used to tell Nicky; assuming only just makes an a--!

ELLIE:
Wait, what?!

*She interjected, and went to snap her neck towards McGee but had to stop herself, spazzing a muscle in the process as she winced.*

 Did he say that?!

MCGEE:
In maybe fewer words

*He flushed.*

But he does admire your talent and says you're the most gifted student he's had in a while. But uh, if I can make a suggestion? Maybe don't stand there like a deer in the headlights?*

*He softly coaxed her.*

 You can do this! Theres...no way...

*McGee couldn't help but doubt in turn, those eyes of Nicholas' although not threatening, did speak louder than the silent distance between teacher and student. Honestly, he felt he wasn't looking truly at Ellie, but rather right through her and at him.*