Getting It Straight

14th ♀

I checked the clock, and saw that we still had fifteen more minutes for art class. In my own way, and even if I lacked talent, I also enjoyed art class. I might not be able to gain a positive grade from it every time, but it wasn’t all about those passing scores.

 “Is he still out?” Jayden asked me.

 “Yup,” I answered, preoccupied with figuring out what the very precarious line I made for this period meant. It was supposed to be something, being very yellow and striking. And this was the most artistic piece I could make, except for the barely recognizable and trying hard to be crab cakes a few days ago.

"It feels unusual not to hear him give his opinions about things in class nowadays," added Jayden.

"He'll get better later on, and will have plenty of time to do that," I told him. "Okay, Jayd. I’m done.”

Jayden dragged his chair to my side, and looked at my work. "Well, let's see..."

I was waiting for him to continue what he was going to say, and give me his intelligent thought about my creation. But after a whole minute of trying to make out at least one word to describe it, I realized that even Jayden wasn't able to find anything artistic with what I did. He couldn't even comfort me by saying that it was a nice abstract, the kind of comment you gave when you saw something good but couldn't point out what it really was. I could take an abstract compliment. But a null reaction? Really?

"Never mind," I said in defeat. "I thought it could pass as a ray of sunlight."

"Well, if you put it that way..." He appeared to be enlightened with what it supposedly was.

"I give up. I'll just put that, and get this quiz over with. I'd probably fail this one anyway," I grunted, feeling remorseful for my lack of skills. But really, I barely get a D for my art classes before. It wasn't like this kind of thing was new to me.

Ray of Sunshine.

I put the title, and handed my piece to Mr. Crooge. He got that same expression as when Jayden saw it. I wasn't surprised at all. In fact, I was hoping for worst. But at least it was consoling to know that Mr. Crooge didn't get angry, and was understanding enough to know that there were some people who were not really made for art. Take me for a good example.

"How's Mr. Cosgrove?" he asked all of a sudden, putting down my submission.

"Still sick, sir," I answered. And not to mention that his grades were already slipping, not by decimals, but by something a bit greater than that. I could only hope his genius could keep up and do wonders the moment he'd be well again. It had to, or else, he would undoubtedly make me pay for it, in whatever way he could.

He always had a way of blaming things on me. It was like I was the only one who was supposed to carry the entire fault of the world, especially the ones that had caused some inconvenience on his part. Although there were a few occasions that could attest to that, not everything was related to me.

Mr. Crooge nodded in response, and stood up from behind his desk. I found my way back to my seat, wondering if he would give me a D or an F for that one. But would that even matter? Given my situation, none of my classes would be counted when I got back to real life. With that in mind, he could give me an honest F, and I wouldn't mind.

“Don’t forget that your assignment in response to the exhibit last week is due this Friday. You still have four days to do it," he reminded the class.

“Yes,” half of the class responded. The other half was busy getting ready to leave the room, talking to other students about a completely different topic from what the class was supposed to be about, or was still busy staring blankly at space, i.e. if you had the talent of sleeping with eyes wide open.

Mr. Crooge also explained that it would comprise half of our grade for this term. I’d probably get another F for that one, even if I'd try. Maybe I should do Ray of Sunshine part 2. Yeah, that could do the trick. I'd do two yellow strokes and explain that it was the spark of delight I had seen when I saw all the splendid paintings in the exhibit.

Speaking of which, KN wouldn’t be fond of the deadline, knowing his current situation, and his previous work that I'd ruined. Four days left and still in his sickbed. Nope, he wouldn't be fond of the idea. Maybe I could do his assignment instead—Ray of Sunshine part 3. With his reputation, he could pull it off.