The Meeting

Sorry I'm late," I exclaimed as I skidded through the door. The art teacher looked at me as I made my entrance. "They didn't hold the elevator and I had to drag my stuff up three flights of stairs and the strap on my shoe broke."
"My star artist ladies and gentlemen," Mrs. Mathis announced.
"Uh, I don't know about star per say," I stammered. "I mean. I'm okay but I uh." I pulled at my braid nervously.
"Sit down Cora," she laughed.
"Thank you," I whispered. The only available seat was between my friend and a guy who wasn't even paying attention. He just stared out the window, occasionally touching the dented locket around his neck.
*What's up with him?* I signed to my friend.
*Don't know.* Had he been crying? He eventually got up to sharpen his pencil. I slipped one of my favorite drawings onto his desk. I drew it the day my family decided to do stupid touristy stuff for my mom's birthday. He simply brushed it away upon seeing it. My head hit the desk. There were some cup cake cook