Happening >>Riley Matthews<<

Chapter 15

Maya sat down at her usual spot and I did too, once I searched the entire room for the purple. Today, it was actually right underneath my stool. She was trying to get tricky on me, but being the smarty pants that I am, I couldn't be fooled for a second.

Yes you can. Remember the time where they told you there was a bird in the classroom? Or when Maya got revenge on you from the Rileytown ice cream battle? Oh! Or what about the time when you thought they were all gonna stay but then they ended up leaving. That was a good one. That was actually probably the best one. They got you gooooooood.

Oh shut up... uh... uh... you don't have a name do you?

Nope. I like it that way. It makes me more mysterious and you easier to control.

Well, I don't like that you don't have a name. I'm going to give you one whether you like it or not!

Thanks, but my mom already gave me a name and she told me to tell you nothing about it because she said you didn't deserve to know.

I don't deserve to know?

No, you don't. Because you're a worthless little brat that nobody likes.

Nobody?

Not even Maya.

Oh. Okay then.

I picked up the purple, poured it out in large quantities on my pallet, and stared at my empty canvas about to be overwhelmed by enormous amounts of purple. But then I started thinking. Would everybody hate my precious babies less if I didn't just use purple?

I'm going to try it. When people see my paintings now, they'll think more of me. At least Ms. Kossal will.

I opened my mouth to say something to Maya when I saw her canvas. It already had dried paint on it. "Hey Maya?"

She turned her head and looked at me. Even though she looked fine, I could tell she wasn't. Something was holding back the glow in her eyes. But then again something was holding back the glow in mine. My neighbor.

"Yes Riles?" she replied. She sounded a mix of emotions. When she spoke, she sounded defeated, lost, sorry. Everything that her eyes said and more.

"Why does your canvas already have paint on it?"

"Oh. Um yeah..." She shook her head that meant she was going to get straight to the point. "Last night, before I went to go get my backpack, I called Ms. Kossal and asked if I could come in.

"Why, Maya? Why did you need to come in?" I asked. I bet this was all because of me, wasn't it. Black. There was a big black splatter of dried paint on her canvas. That's what it was. That's what I am. A big black splatter of dried soul.

Ms. Kossal must've overheard our conversation and felt free to jump right on in. I hate it when people feel free to jump right on in. Actually... I don't hate it; I just strongly dislike it. I dont believe it's possible to hate because hate only exists in sin, Satan, and hell. I sin, yes. But it's impossible for me to hate someone or something. It's impossible for everyone.

"Because she's an artist, Riley. She felt something that she had to put down. What did you feel Maya?"

"I felt inspired, Ms. Kossal. I didn't want to loose that and this was the only way to do that."

"I get where you're coming from, Maya. But an artist never forgets. Remember that next time." She pointed at Maya, winked, and then walked away. Maya's eyes followed her.

Finally, she's gone. Cuz I "strongly dislike" to break it to ya Ms. Kossal, but my best friend and I were talking. Wait, Ms. Kossal didn't even ask about my leg. Didn't she see the crutches right there? She probably just assumed that I was being a klutzy me and thought I tripped over air. Well, I actually tripped on a step, thank you very much!

I tried to shake it off but it wouldn't budge.  I continued on anyway.  "What were you inspired by, Maya?"

She looked back at me and smiled sadly. "You."

"What me? Why me? Out of all the people in the world, you chose me. How can I be an inspiration. Is it even-" I cut myself off when I realized that her canvas was black. I pointed to it and asked, "Is that what you think of me now?"

Maya turned to face her canvas. Then she faced me again. "The painting isn't complete."

Does she think I'm incomplete? It's probably true. I'm a broken puzzle with pieces that vacuumed up. I felt my face fall even though I tried to keep it up.

"But don't worry." she quickly added. She's pitying me. Great. "It's going to turn up beautiful."

I sighed and hugged her. I saw Zay's face out of the corner of my eye. He knew something was up. I shrugged it off. He would find out soon enough.

I looked at my canvas that already had a little bit of purple paint splattered on it and remembered what I was going to say. "Oh, hey Maya?"

"Yes, Darling?"

"I have a surprise for you but it means not being able to sit next to you all of Art class. Is that okay?"

She eyed me skeptically. She's mainly worried for my well-being. I appreciate that, but it's not like I'm going to go kill myself... but

"Okay. But you have to promise to have it for me by the end of class and you better have your tushy on that stool when the bell rings, otherwise I'm sending out a search party, got it?"

I smiled at my best friend. "Of course I'll be back. I love you. I would never leave you." I hugged her before going up to Ms. Kossal.

When I proposed my "idea" to her, she looked quite stunned. Her response was really funny, too.

"Oh, uh-uh absolutely! Of co-course! Right away!" She quickly grabbed everything I needed and set me up in the Janitor's Closet. Ms. Kossal talked to Janitor Harley and all the custodians knew not to go in that closet for the rest of the period.

I picked up my canvas and wanted to smash it. But, it was too perfect to be destroyed. Unlike me.

Thanks for making me ugly and disgusting. That's really what I needed right about now.

Yeah, no problem! I'll be with you for the rest of your life!

I was hoping you'd be gone by then...

Hey! I heard that!

I hate you.

I hate you more!

Okay.

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What do yall think Riley is gonna do?