Shuffled: When the Cards Talk You Must Listen

Chapter 13 The Master Maker

Upright: Skill, Craftsmanship, Magician, Moral Strength, Invention

Reversed: Poor Workmanship, destruction

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After our little talk, Aunt Teenie and I watched a few Netflix movies. I discovered the foregin ones that are translated and dubbed can be really good.  We ate pizza and talked about nonsense.  She asked me about my theatre class and I told her about the monologue I'd picked out. 

She was so excited that she legit squealed!  It was funny.  So the next movie we watched was Labrinth.  God who doesn't love David Bowie.  MAN! It helped you know just having down time.  Watching some movies and watching the one that my monologue was going to come from, if Mr. Loric approves, of course, really gave me more zeal, and understanding and even ideas for how to play out my character.  Now I really was pumped up, and apparently really tired judging by the enormous yawn that escaped my mouth.

I bid my aunt good night and climbed the stairs to my room.  I still marvel at that phrase.  MY ROOM.  It's OUR HOUSE.  We own it.  After so many years of being transient I'm finally home.  It was truly a wonderful feeling, as I brushed my teeth and cuddled into my fluffy comforter and my bigger than life teddy bear.  Again don't judge me, I've moved a lot, I have needed something stable in my life.  I figure I can have him until I find a guy that is worthy enough to take his place.

And still I did not even once look outside to see the three men standing under the tree by my bedroom window.  
They weren't there the next morning.  And I know that because as I was yawning and stretching I looked out my window to see what kind of outfit I should wear today.  I was in a slightly bouncy mood so I dressed up a bit, pigtails, pink and purple tie dye over-sized sweatshirt and black yoga pants with laces on the legs that matched the shirt.

I bounced downstairs but Aunt Teenie had already left for the Diner, so I grabbed an apple and a toasters pastry on my way out heading to none other than Starbucks.  Somehow I breezed through ordering and receiving with only a creepy wink from that businessman, and the coffee guys number written on my coffee collar.  MAN this kid is persistent.  I wonder if he realized he is giving his number to the same girl each time or if I've fooled him with my costume changes.  I giggled as I walked out the door shaking my head.

Again, I didn't notice the man standing just inside the store, just watching me.
I really should have.   

My morning classes flew by and before I knew it I was in art class, with a paintbrush in hand and a pallet of paints splayed out before me.  I asked if I could put my headphones back in and Miss. Luciana said it was fine.  Before long my paintbrush was moving on its own and I was so sunk into the music and the story in that book from last night I jumped a mile when the bell rang.  I almost spilled paint across the front of what turned out to be an amazing dragon. He was glorious!  Rising up into the sky like a burning flame ready to roast anyone who dares get to close.  You could see a castle far off in the distance, and it looked like an army beginning to march out to war.  They were far off but not far enough that the Dragon King didn't see them.  

The blazing reds and oranges of his scales jumped out at you grabbing your attention, so much so that you almost miss the little baby dragon sleeping in a nest down below him.
I drew in a breath, not realizing that I had been holding it as I waited for Miss Luciana's official judgement.  When nothing was said I looked at her quizzically.  She was standing there with her mouth hanging open.  It wasn't just her though, half the class was crowded around her just staring at the painting.  I suddenly felt really self conscious.  I knew I was good, and I knew it was good but I didn't know I was this good.

The silence stretched on until Daisha cleared her throat. 

"Um Wow girl."  Her voice was low but sounded loud in the room.  
"Ya so wow.  Um Ya."  It seemed that she was speechless.  

Miss Luciana finally also cleared her throat.

"Umm well yes it's amazing and you definitely need to put it in the fall art show. WOW."

I think she was going to say wow again but the tardy bell rang and the whole class scattered.  
"Oh crap! We  going to be late for Mr. Lorick! And I still haven't cleaned up yet!" I all but yelled towards Daisha.

"One sec I NEED to get a picture of this! MeiLei and Kelli will kill me if they don't get to see it!  You should totally put it on your Instagram!"

"Here" Miss Luciana said, thrusting a pass slip at us.