Darkness of the Light

Chapter 2: Confused

 “So,” Gabby said to me in English class, “how did art class go?”

“I drew,” I told her and she laughed.

“No talking!” Mr. Walters yelled at us at the back of the classroom. Why did it matter? I have no idea what he is teaching us because I'm too focused on Xander. I wish I knew what he was drawing.

“I know that,” Gabby whispered, “but what about Xander?” I sighed and pulled out our notebook. What do you mean? I wrote and passed the graffiti-covered book to her. Did he ask you? She wrote quickly. Mr. Walter turned towards us.

“Anything you wish to share with the class, Gabby?” Mr. Walters asked impatiently.

“Nope,” she said confused. “These are my notes on writing with more detail, Mr. Walters.” Oh, so that's what we are learning.

“Ow,” I said as the notebook hit my leg. I glared at Gabby who was rapidly taking notes. In her careful handwriting, it said We'll talk later, Kat. After that, the rest of the day dragged on.

At the end of the day, I walked to my locker to get my backpack and put my sketchbook in it. I slammed my locker shut, then threw my bag over my shoulder and walked towards the door.

“Wait up, Kat!” Gabby yelled as she ran up to me. “You didn't think I would forget your birthday, did you?” She handed me a gift-wrapped box.

“Awe,” I said. “Thank you, Gabby,” I told her.

“Open it!” she said, nudging me with her elbow. I rolled my eyes and pulled off the ribbon, then slowly unwrapped the gift. Inside was a plastic bag filled with water with a little pink fish swimming in it.

“Oh, thank you, Gabby!” I squealed. “How did you get this to school?”

“You don't want to know,” she told me. I laughed and hugged her. “What are you going to call her?”

“Hmm...How about Jordan?” I asked.

“That's a perfect name for a perfect fish!”

“Hey, Katrina,” a voice said from behind me: Xander.

Gabby looked at both of us, then walked away silently. A first for her. “Xander,” I said.

He ran his hand through his mocha brown hair that matched his chocolate eyes. “So, how's your art project going?”

I blushed for a reason I wish I know. “I'm almost done,” I told him. “I just have to paint it when I get home. What about yours?”

“I finished mine. Do you want to see?” I nodded. He reached into his bag and pulled out a piece of canvas. Like always, Xander used watercolor paint. He handed me the painting. It was a painting of me, floating in the water. I was wearing a strapless, fitted, red dress. It was identical to my prom dress that I described to Gabby. In the painting, I was wearing a silver necklace that had cursive lettering on it that read, Prom?

“Xander,” I gasped, “it's beautiful.”

“Thank you,” he said humbly.

“I especially like the necklace.” My heart beat faster.

“Oh, really?”

“Yes,” I grinned. “Of course I would go with you.” I handed him back his painting, and pulled out my sketchbook. “This is mine.” He held my sketch of us. I was better at drawing cartoons instead of realistic things like Xander. In my picture, we were holding hands in the moonlight.

“It's great,” he announced, “but you really didn't capture just how amazing you are,” he said as he handed it back. “Have a great weekend, Katrina,” he told me as he walked out the door.

* * *

“Oh my god!” Gabby and Rachael yelled when I told them about Xander.

“I knew it!” Gabby laughed. “That is so sweet!”

“Yeah,” Rachael agreed. “I can't believe Xander asked you. Now my next question. Why do you have a fish?”

“Her name is Jordan,” I corrected.

“Still doesn't answer my question.”

Gabby chimed in. “I got it for Kat's birthday! Which reminds me, we have to get her a fish tank soon.”

“Here,” Rachael said as she threw me car keys.

“You're letting me use your car?” I asked, shocked. None of us were allowed to touch Rachael's car, let alone drive it.

“No,” she said. “The same rule applies as before. If you touch my car, you will burst into flames. That is your birthday present.”

“Oh my god, Rachael!” I shouted. “Thank you, thank you, thank you!”

Gabby grabbed my arm. “Come on! Let's go!” She dragged me outside as I kept yelling thank you. In the garage was a new car. My car is a cherry red corvette. Holy cow, a corvette!

“Do you like it?” Rachael asked.

“How did you get the money for this?” I asked and she pulled out a letter.

“Your college fund, Miss Scholarship.” She handed me the letter.

Miss Katrina Williams,

We are proud to announce that the Art Institute of Phoenix is prepared to offer you a full scholarship. We have carefully read through your application and checked your grades. After analyzing your art portfolio, we have decided that you are a very talented young woman in the field of art and literature.

Based on your many samples of art and writing, we have teamed up with Arizona State University to also supply you with a full scholarship to their literature courses.

We at AIP hope that you will begin our college courses next semester that starts in August. Thank you for your time and effort.

Sincerely,

Lee Jang

“Oh my god!” I yelled. “A full scholarship!”

“Seriously?” Gabby asked.

“Yes,” Rachael said. “I'm so proud of you, Katrina. Now you go have fun!”

“Thank you,” I said again and jumped in the car with Gabby. We drove up to the pet store to buy a fish bowl for Jordan. We bought just a plain bowl and some bright and colorful rocks, along with some fish food. My phone rang in my pocket and I pulled it out. One new text message, it read. I clicked view.

419-332-9807

When the sun sets, your life will begin.