Art Hoe // Awtto

1

𖥸┈┈┈𖥸┈┈┈𖥸┈┈┈𖥸

Otto stood at the tin sink in the classroom full of chattering students and easels, rubbing the bristles of his brand new paintbrushes with his thumb as warm water ran over them. He turned the water off after all the unpackaged brushes were damp, and then returned to his own easel. He dropped his brushes into a dark blue plastic cup, then sat on his assigned wooden polished stool.

It was the first day back from summer break, and Otto wasn't miserable. This was his junior year, so he only had one year left after this and he would be off to college. He smiled to himself at the thought. He could get through this.

Awsten walked into the classroom that smelt like cardboard and ink. He looked around and found an unoccupied easel, then made his way over to it.

Awsten took a seat and set his sketch book and empty binder under his stool. He turned and looked to his right, and saw a boy with long, chocolate-colored curly hair stuffing markers into a pencil pouch. He looked him up and down, studying his outfit, which was a sunny yellow cropped sweater, denim shorts, and yellow converse sneakers with a few patches ironed on them. Awsten looked away after a few moments, his attention stolen by the teacher when she walked into the room.

"Good afternoon, class. I hope you all have enjoyed your earlier classes. I promise, the chances of you liking this class, too, is high." Mrs. Cooper said confidently.

Otto looked around the room as the teacher spoke. He looked to his left and saw a purple-haired boy sitting at the easel beside him. The boy looked back at him and they locked eyes for only a moment before Otto looked back at the teacher. Awsten chuckled quietly and crossed his arms before returning his gaze to the teacher as well.

Their assignment for the day was to draw or paint their favorite memory from summer break. Everyone got to work and the noise level got a little higher, but not high enough to make the teacher pissed.

Awsten turned to face Otto and pulled his stool closer to the back of him. He watched the boy's hand grasp a paintbrush, dip it into sky blue paint, and then run it along the canvas.

"Hello, do you have a name? Or is it just Walking Instagram Vintage Aesthetic?"

Otto rolled his eyes. He knew Awsten, they'd just never talked and he had never caught his attention, until now. "Yikes, I've heard that too many times now. Try again."

"Mm, I don't want to sit here and insult you. Aren't you Otto? Wood? My my, your style has changed. Looking for a man before you graduate?"

"I'm just keeping cool in this hot weather, is all. And why do you care?"

"Why wouldn't I care? You're exposing your cute little body for everyone to see. And heh, yeah, must be really cool in a sweater."

"Get to work." Otto mumbled.

Awsten grinned and slid his stool back to his easel and began sketching a summer scene.