"The Cut"

Chapter Four- Seasons

Grace and Bailey headed down the hallway to 5th period on Wednesday to Ms. Dale's art class. This was by far her favorite class because she had been sitting next to Evan Vaughn all semester. Who was she kidding? Bailey was totally, spot-on accurate.

 She was crushing on him, for sure!

 He wasn't like the other guys in their graduating class. That's because he wasn't the traditional soccer type.

 Evan was more of a ruggedly handsome guy. There was something different about him. He had thick, dark blonde hair, and hazel eyes that locked you in when he spoke. His voice was especially deep. He even changed the tone of his voice when he spoke to her.

 At least Grace liked to think it was only when he spoke to her. She never had the courage to ask him out and besides, she still believed in chivalry. If he were truly interested, then he should ask her out properly.

 She entered the Art classroom and Bailey whacked her backside with her bag.

 WHAM!

"Hey, Gracie, grab my canvas when you get yours, will ya?"

"No problem", said Grace calmly, as she suddenly sensed Evan eyeballing her. She slid her Jansport bag across the table and turned to the counter where the students kept their "works in progress".

Yup, he was definitely checking her out!

 She felt like she had suddenly caught fire as she adjusted her shorts and pulled her hoodie down over her hips. She always did a quick make-up check in the Ladies Room before they came to class.

 Today was no exception.

 She was never dressed-up on art days, but she made sure that her fiery hair and make-up were on fleek. She glanced behind her and caught Evan's eye. He smiled and gave her a half nod. She returned a smile and prayed he wouldn't see her turning crimson from the inside out.

 Grace rifled through the canvases and found Bailey's first, then her own. She brought them to their table and handed Bailey her unfinished project. She scrutinized her canvas for a moment, trying to figure out how she should finish it.

The theme of this assignment was "seasons", so Grace decided to capture the essence of a beautiful full-moon picture she had taken the summer before.

 The painting had really come to life and Grace was by no means a Picasso. She was more of a Monet.

 She wandered over to the coffee cans filled with paint brushes and rinsed a few that someone had left out during fourth period. She felt Evan creep up behind her.

He was so tall.

She could smell his cologne, his deodorant, and a little bit of his own scent that she detected at the beginning of the year. Not sweat, or anything remotely displeasing to the senses. It was his distinct pheromones and they had a direct effect on her when he was merely inches away.

"Hey, Grace. How are you?" Evan began.

"Hey. I'm doing fine, thanks. And you?" He smiled and shrugged his shoulders. Grace noticed he was wearing his silver hoop earrings, which she loved. They contrasted his wavy, long hair and gave him an edgy look.

"No complaints. Well, you know, not until Dale comes in anyway."

"Cut her some slack. She's not all that bad", Grace said. She grinned sheepishly .

"The class is not that bad." Evan said. "Dale could use a couple of drinks, though." Grace let out a tiny giggle.

"That may be frowned upon in the classroom, just sayin...'" and she glanced down at the water that she forgot was running.