Neither Heaven, Nor Hell, Nor Earth

Part 4

On Monday we didn't have school so all I did was sleep.

TUESDAY

Like usual, I woke up on Tuesday, went through the motions-shower, change, breakfast-and made my way to school. The familiar routine was a comfort, even if it felt monotonous, a steady rhythm in the chaos of my life.

As I entered the building, I could hear Diego's voice carrying through the hallway, laughter trailing behind him like a comet's tail. He had a knack for turning the mundane into a spectacle, chatting animatedly with anyone within earshot. It was exhausting, and yet, somehow refreshing in a way I couldn't fully appreciate.

In class, his energy was a constant background noise, a lively buzz that contrasted sharply with my own quiet demeanor. He was quick to make jokes, his hands animated as he gestured to emphasize his stories. I tried to focus on the lesson, but Diego had a way of drawing attention to himself, making it hard to ignore him.

"Hey, Evelyn!" he called out, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. "If you could time travel, would you go to the past or the future?"

I glanced at him, my expression flat. "Neither. Too many variables," I replied, my monotone voice slicing through the air, a stark contrast to his enthusiasm.

He laughed, unfazed. "Come on, live a little! Imagine the epic selfies you could take!"

I couldn't help but roll my eyes, though a small part of me was intrigued. His impulsiveness and hyperactive nature were like a burst of color in my otherwise gray world. I felt an urge to retort, to remind him that life wasn't a series of Instagram moments, but instead, I found myself caught off guard by a flicker of curiosity.

"Besides," I added, my tone still flat but with a hint of playfulness, "if I went to the future, I'd just see more of the same chaos. Why bother?"

Diego leaned back in his chair, a look of mock disappointment on his face. "You've got to lighten up, Evelyn! Life is meant to be lived, not just survived."

"Maybe I like it that way," I shot back, crossing my arms defensively, but the corner of my mouth twitched upward despite myself.

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Class started, and I was relieved to see that we had assigned seats in drawing class. It meant I could finally enjoy some peace and quiet. I settled into my chair, the familiar scent of paint and pencils filling the air-a welcome distraction from my swirling thoughts.

But then I glanced up and saw Diego, his animated chatter filling the space. He was surrounded by a group of students, laughter erupting from their corner like a constant background noise. I sighed softly, wishing for just a moment of silence amidst the chaos.

As the teacher began the lesson, I tried to focus on the blank canvas in front of me, my pencil poised to create something worthwhile. The rhythm of drawing was soothing, offering me a chance to lose myself in my work.

"Evelyn! You're not doodling again, are you?" Diego called out, his voice slicing through my concentration.

I shot him a look, my eyebrow raised. "It's called practicing," I replied, my tone flat and matter-of-fact.

He leaned closer, a playful grin lighting up his face. "Practicing for what? The next superhero audition?"

I couldn't help but roll my eyes. "If you must know, it's a character study," I said, striving to keep my voice steady despite the distraction.

"Right, because 'brooding artist' is totally a thing," he teased, clearly enjoying the banter, his energy as relentless as ever.

"Focus on your own work, Diego," I said, though there was an edge of amusement creeping into my tone. His exuberance was exhausting, yet somehow infectious, like a bright flash in my otherwise monochrome world.