Lessons In Butterflies

Chapter 16: Let Me See.

(Mr Caldwell's POV 1st Person):

- Continued- 

Something about Shella's behavior was off. I couldn't let it go. Dani and Juliet's ridiculous interruption only added to my suspicions. They had rushed in like the building was on fire, all to "ask about homework"—as if either of them had ever cared that much about it. 

And Shella, who was always so awkwardly honest, was suddenly acting more shifty than usual.

I leaned forward, folding my arms on the desk. "Shella," I said, making my voice sound casual, but firm enough to catch her attention. "What exactly were you drawing?"

Her eyes darted up to meet mine, wide and panicked. She opened her mouth, probably to lie, but then thought better of it. I could see her hand still hidden in her pocket, gripping whatever it was.

"Just doodles," she muttered, and I could tell she was hoping I'd drop it.

I didn't.

"Let me see."

She visibly tensed, her hand frozen in her pocket. Dani and Juliet exchanged nervous glances, probably realizing they wouldn't be able to get her out of this one. I waited, letting the silence do the work for me.

Shella shifted in her seat, clearly panicking. She glanced around the room like she was hoping for another distraction. 

But there wasn't one. 

Slowly, reluctantly, she pulled the crumpled paper from her pocket and smoothed it out on her desk, but didn't hand it over. I could see her fingers shaking.

"Now," I said, holding out my hand. "Let me see it."

With what looked like a mix of dread and resignation, Shella handed me the paper.

The second I unfolded it, I bit back a laugh.

There, in black ink, was a hilariously exaggerated sketch of me. Or, well, a version of me with abs that would make a Marvel superhero jealous. 

I was standing there shirtless, with my towel slung dangerously low on my hips. My hair looked like it belonged in a shampoo commercial, and I had the smouldering gaze of someone who'd just stepped off a movie set.

I raised an eyebrow, trying—and failing—not to let the corner of my mouth twitch into a smirk. "This is... interesting." I glanced at Shella, whose face had turned beet red. 

She looked like she wanted to melt into the floor.

"It's not finished," she mumbled, barely audible.

I almost lost it. This was too good. "Well, I'm flattered, Shella," I said, deadpan, as I carefully folded the paper back up. "You've really captured the essence of my... physique."

She looked mortified. Dani and Juliet were covering their mouths, trying to stifle their laughter.

I leaned back in my chair, looking at Shella with amusement. "Next time, maybe try to focus more on the homework than on my six-pack."

Juliet lost it then, snorting loudly, and Dani wasn't far behind. Even I couldn't hold back anymore. I chuckled, shaking my head. 

This was so wildly inappropriate, but it was too funny to ignore.

Shella, on the other hand, was frozen in her seat, staring at me like she wished she could disappear.

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Shella's POV (1st Person):

I sat at the kitchen table, trying not to groan as my stepmum's voice filled the room, talking excitedly to her best friend. The kitchen smelled like lemon tarts and too much perfume.