Destined... | Anthony 'Ant' Vaugn

017 Swoopy Boy Magpie Phobia

Bird Psycho  

Part 2 

"Come on, Slut, we've got SLTs," I call to Malakai with a grin, walking toward him. "You see what I did there? Pretty funny, if you ask me." My steps slow as I notice him talking to someone. "Oh, hey," I say, my curiosity piqued.

The guy he's talking to looks vaguely familiar. Was his name Rower? No, that doesn't sound right.

"Oh, Rowan," Malakai says, gesturing toward the guy before I can overthink it. "This is Angelina."

Rowan. Okay, that makes more sense.

"Oh, one of your sluts?" Rowan quips, a teasing smirk spreading across his face.

I raise an eyebrow at Malakai. "What lies have you been spreading about me to this man?" I ask, pretending to be offended. Then, with a playful shove to his chest, I add, "He wishes I was one of his sluts. Don'tcha?"

"Oh yeah, dream about ya every night," Malakai fires back sarcastically, his tone dripping with mock sincerity.

I laugh, shaking my head. "See ya later, Rowan," I say, glancing at him. "Hopefully you find some better friends than Malakai. Preferably ones that don't suck ass."

Both of them laugh, and Rowan shakes his head with a grin. "I'll keep that in mind," he says.

I link arms with Malakai, pulling him along toward SLTs. "So, new friend?" I ask lightly as we walk.

"Something like that," Malakai replies with a shrug.

"Seems nice. Though I'm not sure why he's hanging around you," I tease, bumping him lightly with my shoulder.

"Please, I'm a catch," he says with mock indignation, puffing out his chest dramatically.

"Right. Total catch," I reply with a grin. "Come on, Slut, we're gonna be late."

"Yeah, yeah," Malakai mutters, letting me steer him toward the SLTs room as we fall into our usual banter.

~~ 

"Okay, peeps, welcome to SLT class. Thought we could start off with something gentle. You'll notice the collection of art materials in front of you all. So pick whatever medium you like," Jojo says brightly.

I immediately dart over to grab the pastel pens before Darren can. I know those are their favorites, so naturally, I have to get to them first. Darren shoots me a death stare as I clutch the pens triumphantly, and I laugh. They crack a smile too, grabbing a different set of pencils instead.

"Aren't we meant to be learning about condoms and blue waffle disease? Why are we doing art?" Spider asks, leaning back in his chair.

I glance at him and know exactly what's going through his mind—he mentioned it at lunch. He's been hung up on what Voss said about SLTs and how they're supposedly sexist. Spider also let it slip he'd switch to whatever alternative Voss comes up with just as a giant "screw you" to Mum. Not that she'd notice or care, but I guess it makes him feel better, so who am I to complain?

"Don't look at it as art," Jojo explains, her tone patient. "Look at the canvas as a way to express how you feel."

I cringe slightly. That's going to grind his gears. God, I hope I'm not around when he finally snaps.