Hay Creek

Chapter 28.

"Alright, everyone. I want you to draw what's on your mind today. It should be something special. And please, no drawings of boyfriends or girlfriends. Understand?" Mister Otto instructed.

"Oh, I love art class," Stella said sarcastically. I chuckled, trying to lighten the mood. "It's not that bad, Stella."

"No, Ave, it really is," Daphne chimed in, backing Stella up.

I rolled my eyes playfully. "I'd rather not sit with people who only complain about art class." With that, I stood up and walked over to Marley's table.

"Hey!" she greeted me with a smile as I settled down next to her. "What are you drawing?" I asked, genuinely curious.

"I was thinking about drawing a group of wolves," she said softly. A smile crept onto my face at her choice. Her eyes sparkled when she asked, "What about you?"

"I'm not sure yet," I admitted.

"Well, you still have time to think. Take your time," she encouraged.

Fifteen minutes before class was set to end, Mister Otto began calling on students to share their drawings. You didn't need to say much, but you had to say something. Madison was the first up. She stood, holding her paper high for everyone to see. "I drew a tiara because when I was little, I wanted to be a princess. Now that I'm older, I realize every girl is a princess and deserves to be treated like one."

Mister Otto clapped, a warm smile on his face. "Thank you, Madison. Evan, you're next."

Evan stood, his pride evident as he shared his drawing. "I drew my favorite basketball. It means a lot to me," he said before sitting back down. I shook my head slightly; he had always loved that ball more than anything—more than me, even.

"Thank you, Evan. Daphne, your turn."

Daphne stood up, revealing her drawing. "I drew my grandma's necklace. I got it from her right before she died."

"That's touching. Thank you very much, Daphne," Mister Otto replied, clapping again. When the applause subsided, he called on Ezra. Ezra stood, his expression thoughtful. "I drew my silver hair because people always made fun of me for it. But I've learned to love myself and accept the things that won't change."

"Very mature of you, Ezra. Strong message. Thank you. Isaac, you're next."

Isaac rose to present his drawing. "I drew the sky because it's been a while since I've seen a beautiful one." I turned to him, knowing he truly deserved to see one after everything he had been through.

"Nice work, Mister Gibson. Thank you. Avery, it's your turn."

I stood and revealed my drawing. "I drew a folded letter. It's my father's last letter to me." I felt Kai's gaze on me, intense and penetrating.

"That must be a precious letter. I hope it contained beautiful words. Thank you, Miss Ross. Theodore, you're up."

Theodore stood and displayed his drawing. "I drew a question mark because sometimes we don't know what we're looking for, and sometimes we don't know what others are searching for." His pack members looked at him, but he simply smiled as he sat back down.

"Very insightful. Thank you, Mister Lix. Kai, you're last."

Kai slowly stood, revealing his drawing—a simple white circle. "I drew a white circle. It's the color I hold dear, and it represents what I'm waiting to see." My body shivered at his words. No one else would understand their significance, but I did.

"That was—very profound. Thank you, Mister Larson," Mister Otto said, clearly moved.

-

"Because every girl is a princess..." Stella teased, mimicking Madison's earlier sentiment.