𝐇𝐄 𝐇𝐔𝐑𝐓𝐒 𝐌𝐄

─ ❝ act xi ❞

⎡ act xi - getaway ⎦

┊❝ How do you do it? Make art so
beautifully? ❞┊

── MONDAY came quicker than (Y/N) expected, and as she sat in her car outside of school, she grit her teeth at the thought of coming face to face with Ian or Dylan or Carmen. Breathing in deeply, she then exhaled just as deeply before stepping out of her car and walking up to the front entrance. Moving throughout her classes whilst at the same time trying to keep a low profile, she finally arrived to her favorite part of the day: art class.

She couldn't say she was either good or bad at the subject, but she always tried. Whatever it was, even if it didn't turn out the best, when lost in her own world, it was quite relaxing and enjoyable.

"Hello, everyone!" A young man greeted as he rolled out of his office in a wheelchair.

"Hey, Mr. Kendal," the students replied in a murmuring manner, (Y/N) among them.

Rolling his eyes at the obvious lack of energy, Mr. Kendal instead wheeled to the front table which acted as his makeshift desk. Showcasing a smile full of excitement as he began explaining what the students' next project was, (Y/N) found it interesting how full of energy he was despite having to teach teenagers. It honestly put a little smile on her face, even in the face of her hardships.

He's a good teacher.

"Now, everyone," Mr. Kendal began with a small clap of his hands. "As you know, this assignment includes two people, so I—me, not you guys—will be partnering you up with another student." Ignoring the chorus' of groans, he took out a piece of paper and a pair of glasses, "Okay... first pair up is Grace and Amber! Second pair... Sawyer and (Y/N)! Third pair is..."

Mr. Kendal continued to speak after that, however (Y/N) wasn't entirely listening as she began searching for her partner.

She didn't know who Sawyer was, however her stare then connected with that of a boy who smiled at her, his eyes immediately lighting up with a type of recognition that let her know that he was her partner. He was cute in an effeminate kind of way, but not to the point of being seen in an unmanly light. He was tall and lanky, however did have some slight muscle from his build, with soft, sandy brown hair and light brown eyes. His skin was a bit pale, and his eyes looked a little droopy with the beginnings of eye bags that conveyed a sleepy air around him. She could also see two small black rings piercing both of his ears.

"Hey," he greeted as he sat next to her, his voice quiet and almost soothing. "I'm Sawyer. You're (Y/N), right? It's kinda weird that I'm only just talking to you now... are you new?"

"Yeah," she nodded. "I just transferred about a week ago, actually."

"No wonder, then."

"Yeah... should we get to work?"

"Sure."

Grabbing one of the thick pieces of paper Mr. Kendal has wheeled around, (Y/N) placed the sheet on top of her sketchbook before facing Sawyer. Since their task was to draw and paint their partner's portrait, (Y/N) knew she would have to carefully observe Sawyer. She knew this, so she also knew that he would be doing the same for her, and that was what made her more nervous than anything. Moving her pencil along the contours of the page, her eyes flicking up every few seconds, she began to trace the outline of Sawyer's face, trying to ignore his gaze as much as she could.

"I'm not too good at art, so just a warning that my portrait of you might not be the best," Swayer chuckled after a moment of silence.

"That's okay," (Y/N) gave him a weak smile. "I don't know if I'm too good, either."

"I'm sure that's not true."

"Then... you probably are good at art, too."

Sawyer smiled at that from behind his paper, something (Y/N) noticed, not able to help the tiny bit of pride that trickled in at the accomplishment of making him feel good about himself. It was a nice feeling which she didn't expect, but considering she had been spending far too much time with Dylan and Ian and Carmen, it made sense.

"How are you liking it here so far?" Sawyer continued the conversation.

"It's nice."

"And...?" He smirked. "Anything else?"

"Oh, well... it's very different from where I used to live before, so it is a bit jarring..." she muttered, her brows furrowing and her teeth gritting at the thought of her bullies. "I guess you could say I miss how things used to be."

"Oh..." Sawyer flashed her a sympathetic look.

"It's fine... I'll be alright," she tried to reassure him, her pencil stilling. "I always am."

"I hope I'm not overstepping, but it doesn't seem that way," he hummed as he lifted his chin, tilting his head and squinting at his drawing before erasing something she couldn't see. "You look sad. Maybe I'm interpreting you wrong, but I don't think so." He finally looked up to meet her eyes, questioning in a soft tone, "Am I wrong?"

(Y/N) parted her lips to speak.

She then closed her mouth and looked away.

"Hey, it's fine," Swayer immediately backpedaled in concern. "You don't need to tell me. I'm sorry, that was overstepping. Let's just focus on drawing each other, alright? I won't pry anymore."

"No, sorry, you're not prying or anything, I just..." she trailed off, unsure of what to say.

What could she say, anyways?

She felt humiliated enough because of Dylan as it was, so she really didn't feel like spilling her guts to a guy she just met. She knew he probably didn't really want to know the entirety of her miserable life even if he did act as if he cared. Giving Swayer another weak smile, she just shook her head as a subtle sign to stop the conversation, which he did with grace, something she was thankful for. Soon enough, class time whirred past, and both herself and Swayer had completed their rough sketches.

She found Sawyer's drawing very nice, so when she turned her portrait around, she wasn't expecting much since she thought her art skills below his own, but received quite the opposite reaction.

"Wow, (Y/N)..." Sawyer mumbled in awe as he stared at the piece. "This is amazing. You were lying to me before when you said you weren't an artist, were you? I'm just... wow." With a growing smile and kind eyes, he questioned with utmost sincerity, "How do you do it? Make art so beautifully?"

(Y/N) was stunned.

More than stunned, really.

"I don't know..." she awkwardly scratched the back of her neck. "I didn't think it was too good..."

"It is," Swayer chuckled. "Truly, it is."

"Thank you..."

"You're welcome, (Y/N)."     

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To be continued...