Blurry Face [Completed]

Chapter 9- Stressed

Kacey took the seat next to me, grabbing the prompt paper from the wooden table. Jackson took the seat next to Maggy, leaning back into his chair. A silver glint catches my eye when I realize he has piercings on both ears. He always seemed like an extra so I didn't really know who he was but it was surprising. He gave off that bad boy aura with the bandage on his face and messy black hair. Everybody around the table stared awkwardly at each other, not knowing how to start. I sigh, knowing if I let them they might start straight away without any planning.

"Let's start with ideas. First off we need to choose the medium we are going to use and how big the poster will be. Any suggestions?" I start, hoping from here everyone will get the swing and eventually start.

"If it's going to be on a poster board, I think the easiest will be acrylic paints." Kacey suggests.

"I think the poster board should be long in length so it will be easier for everyone to work on it at once." Jackson adds.

I nod at these suggestions, giving them each one of the blank pages on the table and grabbing some lead five pencils.

"Lets think of ideas and sketch how we all want our section to look. Should we make it so they combine into a theme? Or...?" I ask, knowing if we all tried it might turn out really nice.

"W...what about seasons? It can be one scenario and the four seasons each one of us can do. We don't have to do it, just like, if you want to..." Pipes up Maggy, looking down at her blank sheet of paper.

Sitting up and looking at her, I smile. " That's a good idea. Should we do a cherry blossom tree? Its the easiest to draw with all four seasons."

"Sounds fine." Jackson agrees, Kacey nodding her head with a shine in her eyes.

"Lets draw the tree together, putting our papers together so we can easily start on the real thing!" Kacey says, her voice ringing with excitement as she flipped the purple lead pencil between her fingers.

I got what she meant so I grabbed everybody's papers and lined them up to go across the whole table. Leaning over the cold table, I began drawing points for about how big the centered tree should be, my coordination being relatively good. Maggy pulled out an IPad from her fluffy backpack, no longer embarrassed by it, pulling up a reference picture of a cherry blossom tree at full bloom. Everybody imediately began sketching the tree on the paper, and by the time it finished, for a rough draft it looked pretty decent. Jackson went out back to get the board to begin drawing and sketching the real thing before painting. He had in his hand a large poster board about 35 inches by 15 judging by how long it was. Why the hell does he have this. Maybe he went and bought his own supply? My thoughts quickly diminished as we began, my mind going thoughtless as I concentrated on positioning everything perfectly. I jumped as I heard music begin blasting through the room. - Alright, Alright. Alright Alright. Alright, Alright! It's a hell of a feeling though, it's a hell of a feeling though! - Panic at the Disco I soon recognized.

"You listen to Panic at the Disco?" I asked towards the source of the music which was a black speaker that Jackson had brought out.

He held his phone, probably because the speaker was bluetooth. His hair shook as he nodded his head in time with the rythm.

"Yea who doesn't?" He stated as if everybody really does.

Shrugging off his statement, I continue sketching onto the large paper. Soon, over two hours went by till we got the drawing right. It was around 7 when we had finished.

"You guys wanna wait till next time to paint? I dont have paints right now. Its getting pretty late too and I need to do my laundry." Jackson says, sighing and strenching his arms out above his messy black hair.

"Ill bring paints I bought next time with brushes and stuff, but yea we should go. Want a ride home Kace?"  I ask, turning to her with my face showing no signs to my partial lie.

She nods and smiles at me. Chewing my botton lip, I turn to Maggy. "What about you, you think we should leave?"

She also just nods, looking down at her pale hands on the table. She begins packing things and cleaning up, everyone following suit. Driving Kacey home, I let my mind wander as I stare into the depths of the night, letting the shadows consume me because oh boy was I socially tired. Figures made from the dark dance before me as I wait for the light to turn green. I continue watching everything flash before me, staring blankly at the street signs telling me where I am. What's been up with me. Im changing gradually to someone else, someone nicer. I can't have these close connections, because as seen with Kacey, it's dangerous. I can't have these people comfertable with me because one day I'm going to die or leave them or even worse, involve them in my job in some way. I can't do that to them, I can't put them in danger like that, I can't have anyone to depend on. Just like Jackson, he seemed to be living alone . . . But he is . . . Comfortable  . . . with Kacey. Even then. . . - BEEP BEEP - I swerve the car with a menancing screech, feeling a grasped warm hand on my right shoulder.

"-ROSE! ROSE!" I heard.

I focus again, relaxing my foot from the gas, realizing I'm going 105 on a 40 mph street.

"Rose, WHAT THE FUCK!" I hear Kacey complain.

"Sorry my mind drifted. Just tired." I lie, knowing full well this wasn't the first time it's happened.

I hear a breath of relief escape Kacey as we finally make it into my garage. We go back upstairs as we carry all the bags. Fishing for the keys in my pocket, I unlock the familiar door to my room. We put everything away in a tension-filled silence.

Author's Note: Sorry for the short chapter! Finally I have no more school or programs stuff until Monday and Wednesday! See everyone soon!