"That looks great, Spencer. Maybe work on your blending a little more, but other than that, it looks great."
"Thank you," I tell Mrs. George. I look at my side ways painting of a skyscraper with a little girl walking on the side of it, holding an umbrella in her hand.
The dark sky surrounding her is lit up by the city lights of Miami, Florida. She defies gravity by walking on the side of the building, but the rain falls from the sky to the ground, not defying the laws of science. She uses her umbrella as a shield from the cold and wet rain.
The painting reminds me of Ariana Grande's music video No Tears Left To Cry when she walks on the side of the building.
"Smile for the camera." Alexandra comes from her seat in art class and takes me a picture next to my art. "Another yearbook photo."
The bell rings and we're dismissed to our next class.
"May I speak to you for a moment, Spencer," Mrs. George asks before I can exit the classroom with Alexandra. I tell Alexandra she can go on without me and go to her desk at the front of the classroom.
There's already another student at her desk. From what I remember, his name is David. His long brown hair is in a low bun and he stands, leaning on her desk, looking cool.
His eyes look down at the ground and he seems to not be bothered by what's going on around him. It's as if time doesn't affect him.
His posters horrible, but I can tell he's about my height. His hooded jacket covers most of his lanky arms and his sweatpants cover his boney legs.
"I was wondering if you were interested in entering an art competition," she says, talking to both David and I. David shrugs his shoulders.
"Sure. What is it," I ask.
"If you both agree, you will have to work together to create something. I know you guys may have different views on art, but if you work together I know you can make something amazing. The other competitors are also groups of two and the judges really want to see how each team works together and if they can corporate."
I look over at David to find out what he's thinking, but he's playing with the books on Mrs. George's desk. Mrs. George slams the books back on the table, stopping David's actions.
"Your a great artist, David, but please don't get on my nerves," she sends him a sharp glare.
"I'll do it if she does." They both wait for my answer.
"Of course I'll do it. Are there any prizes?"
"They'll pay for the winners college tuition." David seems to stand up straighter at what she says and becomes more interested in joining the conversation.
"How much time do we have? Is there anything they might be looking for in our art," he asks.
"You have two weeks. It doesn't have to be anything big, but it has to be deep and it has to show your team work. Be as creative and cooperative as you can."
"Awesome. Let's get started after school. I'll come up with some ideas during lunch and I suggest you do the same. We meet in the school's indoor swimming pool," David states, not letting me object.
"Why the indoor swimming pool," I ask in confusion.
"It helps me think. I'll see you later." He takes his bag and exits the classroom. Mrs. George lets me leave and I start heading to my next class.
On my way there, I see the front door of the school open and a student stumbles in.
Her black hair is a mess and she can't seem to walk straight. She stumbles to her locker, giggling at her clumsiness.
I watch her walk to the locker directly across from mine and when she unlocks it, I know it's Hope.
What the hell?
I walk over to her as she takes stuff out of her locker and tries to put it in her bag. She struggles and ends up dropping all the books on the ground.
"Hope? What are you doing?" She turns around in shock at the sound of my voice. When she notices it's me, she smiles a loopy smile.
"Oh, hey Spency!" She practically screams in my ear. Her breath stinks of alcohol and her eyes are red.
"Are you drunk," I ask her in bewilderment. I've never seen her like this and she's one of the last people I'd think would do something like this.
She's in an outfit that's dirty and doesn't make any sense, her hair is a mess, and she smells like she took a swim in a pool of bourbon.
"And what if I am? You gonna tell on me," she slurs. I shush her because she's yelling loudly in the open hallway. It's bad enough she came to school late and drunk. There's no need for her to get in trouble too.
"Goodness! I'm calling your brother." I pull out my phone and call Daniel as Hope slides down her locker to sit on the ground.
I call multiple times, but the phone goes to voicemail every time. I decide to just call Sky because I know she's always on her phone in class and she'll see my call.
"Hello," she answers.
"By any chance, can you help me with Hope. We're in front of her locker and she's drunk."
"What?! Why," Sky shrieks out.
"I don't know, but we have to get her out of here before she gets in trouble." Sky hangs up the call from the other side.
I can hear the clicking of heels running down the hall and I know it's Sky. She appears when she turns around a corner.
Her eyes grow in horror at the sight of Hope.
"Have you tried calling Daniel," she asks. She helps me pull Hope to her feet and we each hold her up by throwing one of her arms over our shoulder.
"He didn't answer."
"Ugh! Is your mom home," Sky asks. She throws all of Hope's books into her bag.
"Most likely."
"Then we'll just have to take her to my house." I agree with Sky and we walk out with Hope passed out in our arms.