Life Imitates Art

Part 14 - Crossing A Deep Divide

Max_

Tuesday has only ever meant pain in all forms. Physical education is designed specifically to be the very counter of what a boy like me would ever want to do, especially in this crowd.

At least I have my isolation time after it. I can recover in loneliness. And clearly, Tess knows it's Tuesday, too.

"P.E. today, huh?"

"Does my face give away how excited I am for it?"

"Well, I put something on your bed that might just lift your mood a bit. See if you can sneak it on today in the toilets or whatever! If not, it's a good luck charm." And with a wink, she goes back to her room. I know exactly what she's left there. It will be a skirt of sorts.

It is. It's the small pink one. How exactly am I going to sneak it on? I leave it on the bed, not wanting any further reason for someone to beat me up. Maxine is only around when I'm drawing. I'm Max, and I need to remember that. I'm a guy.

No, it has to be the usual uniform. It has to be the norm. I need to do anything that's the opposite of standing out. I look over to the red dragon top from last night. It would usually be a stick-on for P.E. Not today. I can't justify ever using the top for anything not Maxine related, now that I've seen her in it. It's her shirt, not mine. It doesn't belong to a boy.

It's a good thing I have many generic t-shirts and shorts that will suffice. I pick one seemingly at random. When it comes to the shorts, I close my eyes and do the same, laying the P.E. kit out on my bed. Hang on a moment! That's the skirt from last night. I can only imagine how dead I would be if I ended up making that mistake. But why is it even in my stuff?

I contemplate giving it back to Tessa, but instead just put it alongside the red tee. I guess Maxine is building her own wardrobe simply by claiming things that aren't hers. I never thought my OC would be such a thief!

With my P.E. kit now entirely as expected and without a surprise in sight, I continue the morning routine uninterrupted. I'm far too quick at getting ready - Tess is likely only halfway through doing her makeup.

I take the chance (as I often do) to start a concept for a new sketch - a heist theme is on my mind, given the stolen skirt. 

When I look on my desk, there's a piece of paper that has been neatly torn from a notepad. This might be Tessa's ideas for the Maxine sketches. I may as well check what she has in mind. It doesn't mean I have to always be the model.

There's only one detailed idea on the note. In bold, neat letters, it reads.

'Let's dress Maxine as if she's going to my school. We can change a few things about her look to make it work ;)'

Well...this needs some explaining. But I'll ask her about it in the car. I can't risk anyone else overhearing it. Maxine stays between me, Tessa and the now 92 people watching the page.

I check for any new advice in the chat, and instead see a message from Avery.

'LunaBunny's going live tonight BTW if you want to see what her whole stream is like. (Today for me, so I'll catch a replay, don't spoil it pls!)'

I guess that sorts the evening entertainment. That girl is quite captivating. Not in a way that's giving me feelings most teen boys act upon. It's just...she's got a sense of style that would be fun to draw.

Anything else of note? Nah. Some general tips, a couple of other conversations about which styles are best in which scenarios. It's a nice group, but I still feel I've got the slice of it I need for now.

After 20 minutes or so, Tessa is finally ready for us to get going. I've had more than enough time to check my bag. I know I'm all packed, but being prepared is always another question. A whole different matter.

"I saw your note this morning."

"Yeah. It's like the one big idea I've got. Anything else quirky and fun always gets overshadowed by the fact that I think Maxine would look great in these clothes." She slaps my leg. "And you will, too!"

"So you do want me to try the whole thing on? It's not just a drawing idea you have?"

"Max, all of my ideas stem from that night you tried on skirts. I want to see my little sister more often. I think you'd be the best little sister anyone could hope for. And you'd be such a cute girl!"

"Tess, she's just a drawing. Your sister is just art that I create. She isn't really there."

"I know...but when you dress like me, it doesn't feel that way. And...I think you're holding yourself back." Huh?

"Holding back from what? I'm ahead in class and my art is getting more attention."

"You're not happy, Max. I can tell."

"Who is when they're going to school?"

"Me! I am! I love going to the girls' school and talking with my friends and studying as a group. There's a little drama but...oh yeah, I've never had to come home because someone decided to knock me out!"

"Because you're a girl! And girls don't do that stuff! Guys are different!" Our volumes are rising against each other, so I take a breath. "Sorry for yelling."

"It's OK. I'm sorry if it's not what you want to hear, but you say guys are different. And they are, you're right. However, they're also different to you. Those boys aren't like you in pretty much any way other than anatomy and nature. But you know who your nature does remind me of? My pal, Laura. She's an artsy girl. She loves all that Japanese art stuff. Mango or whatever it's called."

I laugh, even though she definitely did that on-purpose. She would know the word manga by now with how often I've used it. She's just trying to cheer me up, like sisters do.

"That's how I'm like Laura? Just art?"

"No. You both love your skirts, too!"

"Ha. Ha."

"Please, just think about it. Let me dress you for school my way tonight. It'll be worth experiencing it."

Tessa_

I'm probably pushing my luck. Then again, Max needs practice if I'm going to be taking Maxine to meet Molly and Courtney. It's all for the greater good. He doesn't belong in that school. If this is how I need to open his eyes, and that makes me evil, I'll be the evil one.