Flirting with death

The door of the Padmanabhaswamy temple

After History ended, I rushed over to English lesson. The History teacher had a tendency to end the lesson late. 

English wasn't my favorite lesson, as the only thing we would be analyzing are plays, plays and more plays.

As the teacher droned on and on, I gradually lost concentration (as usual). I started drawing the door of the Padmanabhaswamy temple on my notepad. Suddenly, the teacher coughed sternly. I looked up quickly to see him glaring right at me. 

"Ms. Khana, may I ask what are you drawing on your notepad?" He enquired with a polite tong. However, anyone could hear the deadly edge in his voice. "No-nothing..." I stammered.

He walked over to my desk slowly, and picked up the notepad that was calmly sitting on my desk. He examined the drawing of the door carefully. I was shocked to see that his face contained a bit of surprise. 

He carefully put it back down, not making a sound. "Nice drawing, Ms. Khana, but I do suggest you to pay attention. You can go see your art teacher during recess. Perhaps she would see to your talents. But no drawing now, please," He said slowly, and walked back to his desk and quickly scrawled a note. He then placed it on my desk. 

Hello Ms. Jefferson,
This young lady (Valentina Khana) has some exceptional drawing skills, as seen when she was not paying attention in lesson. Perhaps you would like to see her drawings.
Mr. Brown

I looked up at him, stunned. He eyed me once before continuing on with his lesson. 

My head was still spinning as I left the classroom. Me? Talented at art? No way. I've never been called talented in anything. 

Everyone was looking at me and whispering to their friends. I sped up and hid myself behind my locker door. 

"Hey, Val!" Someone said. I closed my locker door to see Faith. I grinned. "Sarah told me about what happened during lesson. She sits two seats behind you, you know," She babbled. I nodded, even though I don't remember her. "Can I see your drawing?" 

I held my notepad out for her. As she was examining my drawing, I suddenly remembered what I was going to do. It's recess. I have to go find Ms. Jefferson! 

I quickly took the drawing back from Faith, and said hurriedly, "I forgot I had to meet Ms. Jefferson! Mr. Brown told me to go find her! We can catch up at lunch..."

She waved as I rushed to the art room. I knocked on the wooden door, and it immediately opened. Standing there was Ms. Jefferson, smiling at me. She was a rather short lady, with thick lensed glasses perched on her sharp nose. "Hello there Valentina, Mr. Brown told me about you. You don't study Art, right?" 

I nodded. "No wonder why I don't recognize you. May I see your drawing?" I shyly handed her my notepad. As she carefully examined it, I took the time to look around the art room. Various pieces of art were hung up on the walls, and everything looked especially colorful. 

"Wow..." I heard Ms. Jefferson say, and she handed the drawing back to me.

"Do you have any free periods?" She asked me curiously. I replied, "right after lunch," 

Ms. Jefferson patted me on the back. "Why don't you study art? Is there any subject that you don't like?" I thought for a moment. "I don't want to study English, but we have to study it... But I'd love to study art! My parents will be proud!" 

Suddenly, the bell rang. It was Math lesson. I saw a line of people waiting outside. I quickly scurried out of the room through the back door, grinning from ear to ear.