Worse Things

Chapter 4

I start walking out to the courtyard to meet Riley and Lucas for lunch. I'm starving and can't wait to eat my sandwich. Riley and Lucas are already sitting down at our regular table when I get there. They greet me with warm smiles and I sit down and begin to eat. As Lucas begins to rant about his new history teacher I can see Josh across the oval playing soccer. He's the schools star player which makes sense since he's been playing for as long as I've known him. I begin to think about this morning for the fourth time today. I just can't seem to get it out of my head. I know what Riley would think if she found out I had a crush on him. He's my brother Maya, how could you. Could you have picked someone more wrong to have a crush on. As if he would ever like you back.
"Maya ... Earth to Maya." I hear Lucas shouting at me as I snap back to reality.
"What is it?" I reply, still looking at Josh as he kicks his fifth goal.
"What are you looking at?" asks Lucas
"Oh ... Uh it's nothing. I say hoping they don't pick up on how distracted I am. "Do you guys think I should enter a piece of art into the exhibit next month? Ms Kossal keeps asking me about it."
"Oh my God, Maya. You definitely should. Your art is amazing." Says Riley.
Is what Riley said really true. Is my art really that amazing. I mean I've never really thought so but then again I probably see it differently to everyone else. Maybe I should enter it though. Riley isn't afraid to sing at talent shows, Lucas isn't afraid to go in front of the class and run for student body president, Josh isn't afraid to play his game every week.
"I have to go you guys. I'll see you later." I say as I collect my stuff and make my way back to the art rooms.
When I get there Ms Kossal is sitting at her desk with her computer open. I knock on the door immediately regretting my decision to come in here.
"Come in." She says, looking up from her computer screen.
As she sees me walk in she smiles and gestures for me to sit down. I take a seat and clear my throat. I look at all the paintings that are hung up behind her. There's copy's of Starry Night and Cafe Terrace at Night by Vincent Van Gogh. I've always admired those paintings.
"What can I do for you Miss Hart?" Asks Ms Kossal.
"I came to tell you that I would like to enter one of my paintings in the exhibit if I'm still allowed." I say as my voice trembles.
"Well that's wonderful. I'm sure you will do very well Maya." She says excitedly.
I thank her and walk out of the classroom, back to the courtyard where Riley and Lucas are still sitting. I can see someone else there with them. Josh. I don't really know why he would be there besides from the obvious reason of wanting to talk to his sister. I sit down and grin awkwardly. As I look up from my hands Josh smiles at me. I can tell my cheeks are getting redder by the second.
"Maya." Says Josh as Riley and Lucas both turn to look at me. "You dropped your book this morning. I didn't have a chance to give it to you earlier so I thought I would bring it to you now."
It's the book I was reading this morning. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott FItzgerald.
"Oh thanks. I don't know what I would do without this book it's my favourite." I stutter with an awkward grin on my face.
"Really? That's my favourite to." Replies Josh.
"Yeah, when the movie came out you could barely wait to get to the cinemas." Says Riley, giggling.
"Well on that note I better get going. Catch you guys later" Says Josh as he runs back to the oval.
"What was that about?" Asks Riley with a suspicious look on her face.
"Nothing. This morning when I was late to homeroom I was running through the library and crashed into Josh on my way. No big deal." I reply to her trying to stay as calm as I can.
"So that's where you were this morning. I was wondering when you were going to tell us." Says Lucas with a boyish grin on his face.
We all laugh as the bell sounds for the end of lunch and I make my way to my locker to get my books for my last 2 periods of the day. I make my way down the hallway to get to the English classroom.