Watercolors (B.A.)

Chapter Twelve

Pollock

Amina hated that Halloween was on a Wednesday this year. There was something so badass about getting dressed up in a costume and showing off to everyone in the neighborhood while she took her sister trick-or-treating. On a Wednesday, however, Amina had too much homework to be able to participate in her favorite tradition.

As she sat in the lunchroom on Wednesday afternoon, she pouted in her tuna salad. She realized how ridiculous and childish she must have looked, but she couldn't help it. All she was looking forward to was dressing up, and she couldn't even do that.

"What crawled up your ass and died?" Edwin asked, quirking an eyebrow at her.

Zane sighed. "She's sad that she can't dress up for Halloween this year. That's a big deal for the Parkers."

"I take my sister trick-or-treating every single year. But since it's a stupid Wednesday, I have too much work for the first time ever." Amina sighed. "It's frustrating more than anything."

"Fuck work," Nick stated bluntly. "You should go out and have fun on your Halloween. Especially if it's a tradition you look forward to."

Amina felt like she was overreacting to the situation, but she couldn't help her emotions. "I really can't. College applications are becoming all too real, and I have so much homework."

Brandon placed a warm hand around Amina's shoulders, giving her a comforting squeeze. Amina could feel herself relaxing even the tiniest bit. She immediately wondered when Brandon became a source of comfort for her.

"I'm sorry that you can't go through with your tradition, Amina," Brandon looked as though he was genuinely upset for his friend.

Amina nodded, which everyone took as the end of the topic. Looking across the table, Amina noticed Zion staring directly at her. She was about to ask him what the problem was until she realized just what he was so focused on. It was Brandon's arm...that hadn't moved from its resting place on Amina's shoulder. Zion finally met Amina's eye, smirking slightly.

Amina found it impossible to calm down her racing heart, unsure if it was from the physical contact or from the embarrassment of such a public display of affection. She tried to snap herself out of it. If it were Nick, Amina would not have thought twice about it. For some reason, it was different with Brandon.

A loud ringtone interrupted the comfortable chatter of the lunch table. After a few seconds, everyone realized its owner was Brandon, who got up from the table to take the call. Upset at the sudden lack of warmth surrounding her, she decided to lean her head into Nick's shoulder, who wrapped an arm around her without skipping a beat.

. . .

Amina didn't know how she beat Brandon to the art room after school. It was slightly concerning seeing as he had art last period, and tended to just stay there until Amina arrived. Amina just brushed it off, taking a seat on Brandon's stool even though she knew he would make a fuss the minute he got there.

As if being summoned by someone else taking his place, Brandon walked through the door the minute that Amina's butt touched the wood. His eyes were red and puffy, dripping with raw emotion. His steps were slow and uneven, as if he was unable to focus on the act of walking. Amina had seen Brandon emotional quite a few times, and it seemed as though every time he got worse.

"B, what happened?" Amina stood quickly, crossing the room until she stood right in front of her friend. "Are you okay?"

Brandon just sniffled, displacing his glasses in the process of wiping his eyes. Amina didn't know what else to do but grab his free hand and lead him to sit down. Brandon immediately slumped onto his stool, looking as miserable as ever.