LPS High School AU

Encounter

"And so it turns out, it was in my mouth the whole time!"

Vinnie and Minka stood by the front door to the school, conversing. Vinnie had finished telling the story of how he had lost his chewing gum last night. Minka, who had been listening, gave him a concerning look.

"Wow...that's great!" She sheepishly grinned. "I didn't think it would be there..." Minka giggled nervously.

"Right? I should have checked there in the first place." Vinnie ran a hand through his hair. "Wanna head inside? Looks like it's gonna rain soon."

Minka nodded as Vinnie opened the door, letting both students inside.

"So, any idea what the English project is gonna be about?" Minka raised a brow, "I heard it's gonna be worth a lot of points!"

"Not sure...but we'll find out soon." Vinnie grinned, "I'm gonna go meet up with Sunil and Zoe before class starts. Wanna come?"

"I'd love to, but there's this painting I'd really like to start on soon!" Minka smiled, "but I'll see you guys later?"

"Sure. See ya." Vinnie waved as both took off in opposite directions of the hallway.

Soon, Minka reached the art classroom, already open. This was where she usually went before the school day started, liking some time to herself to let her creative side spark up and work its magic. Art was not only a hobby, but a possible future for her. She enjoyed it so much, why not just go for it?

Minka hummed as she sat on her usual stool, a canvas already set up in front of her. She set her bag down, grabbing a couple of paints nearby. Once she placed a variety of colors onto a palette, she used a paintbrush, dipping it into the red color. Minka smiled as the brush slowly reached for the canvas, about to make a stroke. However, the brush never touched the canvas, because her arm decided not to reach any further.

Odd. She thought. She wasn't sure why that happened, but decided to try again. But again, the dripping, red paint refused to touch the canvas, droplets spilling on the floor.

Ok... that's not normal... Minka looked at the brush, but found no idea as to why she even picked the red color. Usually, inspiration came rather quickly whenever she did this, but right now, nothing was coming to mind.

"Maybe red isn't the best color to start with.." She shrugged as she wiped the red off the brush with a paper towel. "Hmm...how about some orange? It's a nicer color!"

She dipped the brush into the orange color next, flicking it onto the canvas. Something was finally there, but for some reason, it didn't feel right...

"No, I guess not that either...yellow? Or green?" She mixed the two respective colors together, drawing a line on the canvas. Again, wrong. She felt her heart race nervously. What was going on?!

"No? Ugh! Come on, Minka. Think!" Minka let out a frustrated sigh. Why did she not feel inspired today? Again, she dipped the brush back into the red color.

"Maybe I'm just overthinking it!" She nervously laughed as the brush reached for the canvas. She decided to make some random strokes on the canvas.

Suddenly, the door to the art room opened, Pepper walking in.

"Yooo, Minks! What's going on-"

"NO!" Minka exclaimed, accidentally dropping the brush.

Pepper's eyes widened at the sudden outburst, a bit surprised. "Uh...no what?" She walked in, closing the door behind her. She walked up to the frustrated artist, seeing the different colored streaks on the canvas.