sunflowers

○ chapter three ○

The Garden Monet Didn't See by Hermes Delicio

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     The day dragged on and on, starting with a cold cup of coffee and keeping the theme of mediocre. Tired eyes, substitute teachers, and homework turned in on time. Not a good day but not a bad day either. Just a day.

     I went straight to my seat and cracked my new book right open once last period came around. The smell of acrylic paint and the sound of mindless chatter kept my senses occupied while I read about first dates and mix tapes and family chaos and wonderful friends.

     "What are you reading?" A voice came directly across from me, causing me to flinch in surprise and lose my place.

     I must've gotten so deep into my new book that I didn't hear the approaching footsteps or the knapsack get tossed haphazardly on the table.

     "Goodness, you scared me." The artist boy from yesterday laughed and began searching through his knapsack for something. "How long have you been there?"

     "I've been here for a good three minutes, Eleanor. Sorry, I thought you... I thought you knew I was here." He placed several somethings on the table and zipped up his pack. "What are you reading?"

     "A book I ordered offline. It's pretty good." I skimmed my finger across the little raised bumps, trying desperately to find the place that appeared to be lost forever.

     "What's it called?"

     "The Perks of Being a Wallflower. It's about a boy going into high school. His name is Charlie and he likes to write letters to someone he's never met."

     "Ah, I see. Is Charlie a good guy or a bad guy?"

     I smiled at his question. "I'm not sure yet. I've only gotten to chapter three. That's not really enough time to know a person."

     He laughed softly and talked in a quiet voice. "Alright, but if all you had of Charlie was up until chapter three, then would you think him a good guy or a bad guy?"

     My voice came out just as quiet as his. "Hmmmm... I'd have to say he's a good guy. Definitely a good guy." I found the place that I had lost and continued to delve deeper into the story while the art boy did who knows what.

     The bell shrilled overhead a few minutes later, signaling the beginning of the last period. "Alrighty, kidos." Mr. Oto's voice came from the side of the room, near his office. "I kind of doubt that any of you have ideas so today is brainstorming part 2. Now, if anyone needs me, you know where to find me." And with that, he disappeared into his office/studio to work on his masterpiece.

     Without Mr. Oto watching over everyone and giving us something to do, the class became more of a social hour. The room was filled with quiet chatter and the occasional laughter. Footsteps sounded against the tile floor, jokes were said, weekend plans exchanged despite it only being Tuesday. I put my book away and listened. I listened to the soft murmur of other people's existence.

     "What are you thinking about, Eleanor?"

     I turned my attention towards the boy who was sat across from me. "Hmm?"

     I knew he was smiling despite my not seeing him. "You just look so at peace with everything. What are you thinking about that makes you so peaceful?" The boy was still sketching away in his book, the thing he was using to draw was scraping against the paper quickly, like he knew exactly how he wants the art to look. "Or is it that you're just sleepy?"

     I laughed lightly and balanced my chin on my hands. "I'm not sleepy. It's just... This is going to sound strange..." The sound of drawing stopped, his attention divided elsewhere. "Okay. Everyone here, all of the people in this room, are living, right?"