"I thought you might like it. You had that bookmark, you know... that one..." Lydia mumbled, clearly embarrassed.

"What bookmark?" Ishani asked, thankfully forgetting about Bianca, my account, and everything else as she shifted her focus to Lydia's gift. It seemed like the present had impressed everyone.

"Oh, you probably mean the bookmark with the little crocodile," I said innocently, like a lamb.

"Show us the crocodile!" everyone demanded.

"Alright, alright! You guys are so demanding!" I laughed, feeling relieved that they'd all forgotten about my drawings. To be honest, I didn't want to see Bianca right now. She was like a red flag to a bull — or more like a rose among envious weeds.

I rummaged through my backpack and pulled out the crocodile bookmark. Everyone took turns passing it around, giggling or widening their eyes in surprise.

"What the heck is this?" Lamar burst out laughing. "Is this like, some kind of Kamasutra? Is the whole book filled with these pictures? Awesome!"

"You have no appreciation for art," his sister said, sounding annoyed.

"Kamasutra is art too," Lamar shot back, smirking. "I know about art. I'm not a total amateur."

"My mom would kick me out of the house if she saw something like this," Ishani said with a satisfied tone, closely examining a few pictures of a couple morphing into a crocodile as they engaged in some rather... unconventional poses.

"So, you like this kind of art?" Bianca asked, her chin slightly raised, holding her juice glass like it was a goblet of fine wine. I looked down, avoiding her gaze. No matter what I thought of her or how hurt I was, she drove me crazy, intoxicated me with just one look of those blue eyes. She seemed like a noble elf who always looked elegant and graceful, no matter the circumstances. We all looked like kids, especially little Lydia, but Bianca? She looked like a stylish college girl.

"I like all kinds of art," I replied as calmly as I could. It stung a little, the way she said it. I thought about Heather: we used to like the same things... once upon a time.

Ishani settled on the couch, trying to find more similar pictures. Jess, Alisha, and Lamar leaned over her, taking turns commenting on the strange plants and animals in the book.

"When did you have time to buy the gift?" I hugged Lydia again, grateful. Bianca hadn't moved from her spot, arms crossed like she was waiting for the catch.

"My mom drove me, we stopped by a store," Lydia said modestly.

"People don't just give expensive gifts like that," Bianca noted again. Ishani was so engrossed in the book that she didn't even comment on her remark.

I frowned. Lydia came to my rescue, unexpectedly.

"You're right, Bianca. I gave this book because I haven't been invited to a birthday party in a long time. Relatives don't count, and those awkward birthday parties of my mom's coworkers' kids, where I got dragged out of pity, don't either. Neither you nor anyone else here has ever invited me anywhere. But Mel showed up and invited me right away, even though she knew I was just a teacher's pet and a nerd who gets in everyone's way," Lydia said softly.

It turned out everyone was listening. Sometimes a quiet, calm voice cuts sharper and clearer than shouting and arguments.

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