Keeping The Pieces

Chapter 3

Chapter 3 

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What the hell did I just do? I think to myself half way through second period. I've never snapped like that even if I didn't say anything. I usually look near fully calm in situations like that. I mean I could have just brushed his hands of me instead of slapping him of me like he was a threat.

What about when I next see him? He's going to hate me or be terrified I'm about to attack him. You've really messed up big time Luz! Why am I really bothered anyway? It's just one guy and besides hardly anyone is going to believe him when he says 'Luz Green bit his head off.'

I leave my thoughts and get to work, I can't ruin my straight A's all over a boy. My grades are the only thing that are going to save me from that hell hole. Before I know it half the day has passed and I head over to fifth period which is my favourite class of the day. Art. This is one of the only places I can escape my thoughts. Where I can bleed out my emotions onto a piece of paper and call it art. The horror that lies within it will never escape and is kept from the people I care about most.

I step right into the room and take my folder from the cupboard before taking my seat at the back while waiting for the teacher to come in and give us our next assignment. I flip through my sketch book I use at home when I get bored and start to finish my latest design of I don't know what.

Hearing Mr. Smith clear his throat at the front of the class room I face the front. I stifle a groan as I see Alex who is also at the front and realise he's in my class. I revert my eyes and don't even bother to stifle this groan when I see the only seat available is next to me. He's going to eat me alive! The way I acted this morning, God he's going to think I'm some kind of psycho!

After Mr. Smith finishes his introductions he tells Alex to sit next to me. I start pretending I was doodling all along and not trying to think of a way to escape. I hear his light, swift footsteps as he walks towards the seat next to mine. I don't look up and hope he ignores me as well. I feel his eyes on me as Mr. Smith tells us what our assignment is.

"Ok kids your assignment for the next month will be to work with your partner and create a composition of each others full body portraits. You will start by working on certain parts of the body each lesson until you get to the full body portrait. I expect you to get to know this person, so in the final piece the colour you add to them will represent the aurora this person has."

Once again his stare makes me feel warm inside like he's staring right into my soul, like he knows my darkest secrets, like I can trust him. I shift under his gaze hating that I'm being noticed. I hate the vulnerability, the thought of him knowing anything about me, never mind something so deep that Claire doesn't even know the depth of my pain.

Jumping up out of my seat I almost run to the sheets of A3 paper. I grab my art supplies from my bag after sitting down. Still I can feel his gaze on me as he casually collects what he needs. Determined to ignore his attempts of staring me out I recall the assignment and grab a fist full of hair, frustrated. Wincing from the pain in my head I quickly drop my hand.

I can't believe we have to do portraits of our partners different features! I mean why do I have to work with him! Does Mr. Smith hate me or something! I take a mental breath to calm myself down. Just pretend that nothing ever happened and get on with it! I hold my breath as he sits down hoping he talks for me.

Of course that doesn't happen, he just stares at me. I decide I may as well get it over with. I look up and am still shocked by how beautiful he is. "So how do you want to do this?" I ask trying to stop his stare. Immediately he focuses and stares at me blankly. He suddenly wakes up and steps into action