Black Velvet

Meet Mr. Way - Chapter 2

I had a strange first day, Alex and her friends were lovely but as the day went on it became clearer that they ran the girl world in school and I had been "lucky" that they had taken a liking to me. Alex and I had History, Gym Class and English together. I had Art and Science with Marnie, so I was mostly set for friends when I went into most my classes. Currently, I was splitting away from the group to go to art with Marnie.

"Come sit with us at lunch okay?" Alex said, I nodded obediently, "Don't sit with anyone else, trust me they're all dumb and we have the best lunch spot," she murmured in my ear before proceeding to kiss me on my both my cheeks, "See you later ladies," she then winked before walking off down the corridor. My eyes lingered after her. Her skirt was short where she had folded it up with safety pins and her hair hung light and glossy down her back. I dragged both my eyes away and turned my attention to Marnie who quickly linked arms with me and started down the corridor.

"How's your first day been?" she asked sweetly.

"Yeah it's been great, you guys have really helped," I replied carefully. Although they were sweet girls, deep down I knew that I needed other friends. I knew how suicidal it was to stay in one tiny clique. I wanted to be able to branch out and make different friends but admittedly having met them straight away had put me at ease. Marnie led me out of the school and across the yard. The Art block was out of the way in a new building at the end of the field, Marnie explained that it had been built last year and I let the babble flow over my head, "What's the teacher like? Mr..." I began to ask, checking my schedule, "Way?" I said. She pondered for a second before shrugging.

"He's been here a few years, he's about thirty two and yeah, he's pretty typical art teacher and his wife manages The Hartford Arena," she paused, "It's where all the musicals and bands play when they come here," she concluded before I could ask what it was. I smiled and let her open the door.

The art room was big, with a desk at the front and tables cluttering the middle of the room. The walls were filled with paintings and creations from previous students and the walls were lined with canvases bearing similar work. The classroom was already hectic and bustling. Students were already running around with paints and paper, all of them yelling and chatting mindlessly. I let Marnie lead me to her table which consisted of herself and two other good looking boys.

"Bret and Andy," Marnie introduced the boys quickly. I nodded and smiled at them both as they looked me up and down curiously, "She's new," Marnie then added and they nodded. I made pathetic small talk with both boys and they seemed as uninterested as I was. After a few minutes I left Marnie take over and only interjected when I felt it necessary. I started to wonder where the teacher was but didn't want to ask for fear my new friends would abandon me as quickly as they had taken me under their wing. The door suddenly swung open and a man with long black hair and a black velvet jacket strode in. His arms were filled with paper, one hand clutching what were presumably his car keys and the other hand was wrapped round a takeaway coffee.

"I know I'm late!" He laughed loudly as some of the boys jeered, "I had to get your last assignments!" he yelled at the boys, dumping his stuff on the desk before clapping his hands loudly, "Has anyone met or know of an Amelia Roseden? She's new today-"

"Mia's over here, sir!" Marnie yelled, pointing at me as she said it. Mr. Way's eyes landed directly at me and he smiled, "Alex and I have been taking extra special care of her," she smiled in a flirty manner, Mr. Way laughed.

"You and Alex are the prime examples of caring, doting human beings, Marnie," he smirked and Marnie faked looking shocked before rolling her eyes at him and grinning. Mr. Way was a typical art teacher in the sense that he was over friendly and vibrate. Deb had been the same way when she used to teach art to over sea students at the college where we used to live. I was used to exuberant artist types and enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere of the classroom. "Get up here then Amelia, I'll set you up with your work -oh and welcome you of course!" he smiled.