She Told Me Lies | The Joanne McKinley Diaries 1

She Told Me She'll Keep Her Promises

"I'm nervous. So nervous. What if I get a bad grade again? What is worse than a 4a?"

Monday morning in Art. And guess who was freaking out? We were waiting for the lesson to start in line outside and she was basically on the verge of fainting.

"Mai, it's okay. You worked shit hard on this and you're going to get a good grade so calm down!" I say.

She nods and takes a deep breath. Then our teacher comes out, giving us our projects and grades with them. I grab my project and go to my seat. I sit down and look at my grading sheet.

Joanne McKinley
Grade-6b
You really showed how you thought of the people you drew and showed emotions. Your self photo showed a lot of darkness with hints of hope. It shows a lot of how you think of yourself. Next time, mix colour to prevent harsh lines.

I scream internally. I honestly thought I would get a bad grade since I barely put any effort into it. I turn to look at Mai and she's frozen with her mouth open. I hope she wasn't catching flies.

"What did you get," I ask, strolling over to her. Still no reply. So I look over he shoulder and smile.

Mai DiGenerio
Grade-6c
Well done Mai! You've really stepped up from last time. You've made realistic portraits with accurate shading. Just make sure to avoid harsh lines. Well done again.

"Joanne thank you so fucking much," she screams and squishes my internal organs in a hug.

"No problem. Can. Not. Breathe," I wheeze and she lets me go. We link arms and walk to our seats. And Mai is beaming for the rest of the lesson.

I did that.

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Break time rush. Everyone battling to be in the first quarter of the Snack Shack line. Toes are squished. Bodies are rubbed and squished against walls. The heat generated is enough to make anyone light headed. People are breaking their 100meters track PBs while running for food. After two years of this, I've figured out that it's best to wait behind in class for a while and distract myself until the last five minutes and then walk to the Snack Shack and the line is nonexistent then. And hey presto. Over the past year, Mason, Mai and Alisha have seen this as a good idea and we do this everyday now.

"So how was your date?" Alisha asks.

"Yeah, bitch never told me," Mai frowns.

"I never told you because you would start singing wedding songs!" I answer.

"I'll give you that," she mumbles.

"Point, how was your date?" Alisha asks again.

I look at Mason from my spot on his back. I blush and he blushes as well and my grip on his neck tightens but not in a deathly way whilst his grip on my legs tightens as well. I bury my face in his neck to hide my blush from them. Too little, too late.

"Awe, they're blushing!" Alisha coos.

"Something cute must've happened then," Mai reasoned. "And I'm going to get it out of them one way or another."

"Damn Mai. You make that sound freakier than it is," Mason says. I can tell he's freaked out. I am too.

"Mai, I love you but you freak me out sometimes," I say.

"Hey, it's my job," she jokes. "But, seriously, how was it. Just one word from anyone of you."

"Perfect."

"Wow, J. You're really in love, aren't you?" Mai says.

I look at Mason and I can't help but smile.