Too short. Entirely too short. That's how I feel about the weekend. I am not ready to go back to school.

Seriously...why do I NEED an education. I mean strippers make a perfectly decent living. Maybe I could be a stripper. I'm pretty cute, no? I could learn a good move, or two. Maybe even teach myself how to split. Right? Right.

I sat in the passenger seat of Ivy's car heading to school, lost in my thoughts of becoming a stripper.

"Rory, earth to Aurora! AURORA!!" I jumped in my seat, startled by Ivy calling out my name.

"What is it?" I placed a hand over my now, fast-beating heart.

"You blanked out. What were you thinking about?" Ivy asked as she kept her eyes on the road.

"Becoming a stripper," I replied with complete conviction.

An amused smile appeared on Ivy's face. "Ok, why are you becoming a stripper now?"

"Because school sucks, education is worthless and I have a little junk in the trunk to shake like a salt shaker."

Ivy shook her head as she parked in the school's parking lot. "I have no words for you. None, whatsoever." She turned off her car and climbed out.

"Don't judge my life. Or my life goals." I stepped out of the car after her, swinging my bag over on my shoulder.

"Too late, dude. Too late."

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The morning went like every other Monday. Students and teachers alike were all sluggish and irritable. Teachers didn't want to teach; students didn't want to learn. And everyone wanted to sleep.

Overall, EVERYONE hates Mondays.

"Ugh...the day isn't over." I slammed my locker shut and slid down to the floor.

"No, it is not," Ivy replied as she sat down next to me. She was entirely too happy.

"Why are you so...so chipper? You hate Mondays more than I do."

"As right as you are about that, I have dance next period."

"And? It's just dance and you don't even like everyone in your class." I raised an eyebrow at her.

"True but someone I do like will be there and that my friend is why I will not let Monday blues get a hold of me." Ivy gave me a brightly suspicious smile.

"Monday blues? And who is this mystery person you are so excited to be seeing on this horrid Monday morning?"

"That my dear best friend is for me to know and you never to find out," she replied smugly.

My eyes narrowed at her. "Excuse me? Is that a secret you are trying to keep from me?"

"Yes, yes, it is. Now let's go. Classes will start now."

"I am so offended, Mark my words Genevieve Iris Grey, I will find out what you are hiding," I warned her using her full name as I glared.

"Yeah, yeah. I'll see you after class." Ivy turned and walked down the hallway, heading to the dance studios. I stared at her retreating form for a moment before shaking my head and smiling. Only Ivy could find a way to lift my mood on a Monday. I turned away from where she once stood and made the journey to my art class.

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"Good afternoon, miss Feray." My art teacher greeted me as I walked into the room. I think she's the only person that uses that name. Most teachers just call me Aurora or Miss Hunter.

I gave her a small smile, "good morning Ms. Jewels." I headed straight to my station and began prepping for class. Grabbing my paint, brushes, and cape I stare at the blank canvas, trying to picture what I would create for the day. The bell rang in the background and I paid little attention to the people now filling into the classroom, my mind completely focused on creating. I vaguely heard Ms. Jewels giving us instructions as I began painting, a vivid image popping into my head.

I grabbed the black paint, dipping my medium-sized brush into the container I started at the bottom of the canvas and worked upward, the entire bottom soon becoming filled in, resembling an endless abyss. Once I was done with the black, I grabbed the red paint and a new brush. Not starting directly at the top, I began placing the red paint in splotches randomly all over the remaining white parts of the canvas. Next was blue, a dark blue that border lined black. I used blue to finish the rest of the top, going over the red blotches to create an even darker color in certain areas than others. I was admiring the new look of the previous white canvas, about to grab the darkest brown paint I have when I was tapped on the shoulder. I jumped not expecting to be disturbed. I quickly turned around and my green eyes were met with hazel ones.

"Huh? Oh. Uh. Huh?" My words, or lack thereof, came out as incoherent sounds. Looking at the person who intruded on my creative process. Vincent. He was everywhere.

"Hey, I didn't mean to startle you." He gave me a small apologetic smile.

"No, no. I wasn't paying attention." I motioned to the painting, "was lost in the zone. Do you need anything? Extra paint or brushes?"

He chuckled a bit before shaking his head, "no, Ms. Jewels paired everyone up for a project due in a couple of weeks."

"Oh...OH! We're partners, aren't we?" I asked.

"Yes, yes we are."

"Alright, did you happen to hear what the project was about?"

"Yes, she wants us to paint a simple picture of something meaningful to both of us."

"Meaningful to us both?" How would we know... oh, right. She wants us to get to work together and figure each other out." My sigh was soft, almost inaudible.

"That seems to be her goal, yes." What looked like amusement danced in Vincent's eyes.

"Of course...I'll just... uh... finish up my painting and we can, um, talk?"

"Fine with me, may I ask, what are you painting?" His attention moved from me to the canvas.

I looked at my painting as well, "to be honest I don't know, it's kind of painting itself." I started at the canvas, trying to understand what was being portrayed. The longer I stared the more compelled I was to finish, I grabbed the brown and began painting again, losing myself again to the lure of art. With every stroke, the picture I was drawing started taking shape and becoming clearer. I put the last touches on the painting and put down my paint and brushes. As I took off my cape, I felt Vincent move behind me.

"Wow. This is... this is great. You're a crazy talented painter." He looked at my painting in complete awe.

"Thanks," I blushed and stared down at the floor, 'omg. OMG. chill, chill. Be cool Aurora,' "um, so about the project?"

"Oh, yeah, yeah. It's pretty easy." He looked from the painting and back to me.

"You said something about painting a meaningful picture, right?"

"Yes, it has to be meaningful to us both. It's quite a sneaky trick to us to work together so close to the end of the year." As Vincent spoke, I began to clean up my station, putting away the paints and brushes.

With a sigh and shrug I look at Vincent, "so I guess this means we'll meet up, right?"

Amusement swam in his eyes as he nodded, "yes. I'm not too familiar with the town yet but there's a little cafe not too far away from the school. We could meet there."

"Sure, that's fine with me. Friday after school?"

"Friday?" He asked with a confused tone.

"Yes, I'll be less likely to want to murder people, but it'll also give us more time to talk."

"Murder? A pretty heavy crime, no?" He leaned against the station next to mine.

"It's Monday, you'll be surprised what crimes I'm willing to commit today." At this Vincent let out a laugh and I blushed. 'Even his laughs are flawless! Fucking hell.'

"Ok, Friday it is. Wouldn't want my partner in jail now."

"Great." There was a pause and we just stared at each other. It seemed like hours had passed us by as we continued our staring contest when only a few minutes had passed. The bell rang, bringing us out of the little trance we were in.

"I'm gonna, the bell... yeah. Bye." I quickly grabbed my bag and ran out of the room. 'OMG!'