As It Was (COMPLETED) (wattys2023)

Faith and Trust

As crazy as it was to consider, one of the places I'd found the most comfort over the last few months was Mr. Andrews classroom. If someone would have told me that six months ago I would have stared at them in disbelief and skepticism. There was no way, after what I'd been through, that my safe haven would be a classroom.

But there was just something so peaceful, so tranquil and serene about Mr. Andrews room. Maybe it was the art on every wall; maybe it was his eccentric personality, witty jokes, and encouragement. Or maybe it was the fact that he made sure to leave his door open just a crack on my bad days.

As I sat at the back of the classroom on the last day before Winter Break, his eyes followed the last student out the door before he looked to me.

"Everly, how are you doing?" he asked.

It'd been a couple weeks since Garrett and I showed unexpectedly at his door just before midnight in the during my mental breakdown. He hadn't brought it up since, and considering I'd hardly heard from either of my parents, I was sure that he hadn't mentioned it to them either.

"I'm surviving." I eventually mumbled, zipping my backpack, and heading to his cluttered desk so we didn't have to shout across the room to one another. "This is the portfolio. I sent it in digitally as well, but I figured you might want to see it. I know a lot of them aren't my best work, but I'm not. . . I'm not ready to let go of the others. For other people to see them."

He took the folder and spoke as he flipped through the pages. "That's perfectly fine, Everly. Never feel as though you must do something to please someone else."

"I like the twist you put on this." he said suddenly, his quiet voice a soft hum in the room. He tipped the photo forward so I could get a good look at what he was talking about.

It was the blooming red rose that sat on top of Garrett's hand-only blood dripped from the edges of each petal. It was how I'd seen it my first day here when he'd extended his hand to help me up.

"But I think this one will always be my favorite." he sets the folder down and points downward.

It's the first project I'd ever turned in. A small candle in black and white with the flame ignited on the wick being the only color in the entire photo. A burnt orange.

"I'll mention you sent in your application to Teddy tonight. I'll show this to him in person as well." Seeing my confused look, he chuckled quietly and added, "We're having dinner together."

"Thank you, Mr. Andrews." I whispered, starting toward the door as I adjusted my backpack strap on my right shoulder.

"Have a great winter break, Everly."

As I stepped out into the vacant hallway I paused and pressed my palm against the door, feeling just the smallest flicker of warmth in my chest.

*

I don't know which of the half dozen things had me caving into returning to Lincoln Heights to spend Christmas with Grandma Ann. Maybe it was the desperation in my father's eyes as he picked me up from school this afternoon. Or it could have been the knowledge that I'd be able to visit Miles' memorial while there. Though I'd never admit it aloud, maybe it was knowing that Mom would be there after a month of not seeing her, and we could pretend for a couple days that everything was normal.

The car ride, however, was anything but normal. Dad was silent, very much the opposite of his usual loud baritone crooning along to all his favorite Christmas songs with the windows down on our drives. He eventually reached and turned the radio on a few blocks from Grandma's, and I about slammed my head into the window when I heard my voice fill the speakers.