Jessa POV:

I opened the door and suddenly everyone’s eyes turned to me, as if I had grown wings, a snout, and called myself a flying pig. Quickly glancing down to check that I hadn’t I was relieved to see nothing like that and offered a small sheepish smile to them as I went to my seat. Well I was till Mrs. Dominare cut me off halfway glaring at me as she circled the area I was going in.

With her spittle flying and her voice the nastiest octave it could be she said, “Now Jessa here is a prime example of what not to be. Her lazy, snobbish, and inconsiderate ways have interrupted us continuously. Not to mention the fact that she seems to enjoy dressing like a hobo on hippy drugs she also seems to like not getting things right. Hopefully you will all take after her parents –who by the way I taught when they went here– and not by Jessa’s example here. I remember the days when children respected their teachers and feared them. Sadly we don’t have the ability to abuse you physically, so we have to go the pansy way and verbally abuse you instead.”

She showed her no longer pearly whites and pushed her thick glasses higher up on her nose. Her plumpish face had grown to a more maroon coloring and white hair loose around her face during the speech and she opened her mouth again. I bit my lip waiting for the last part of the speech that I knew that was going to come, and the little old demon lady did not disappoint, “Ms. Benton, I expect greater things from the daughter of Erika and Jonathan. Why couldn’t you be like them, rather than whatever you are attempting to be, you still are a failure at it. If I were you I would figure out my priorities. Because of children like you my life is being shortened by the minute and I will die at a young age. Don’t be surprised if I croak soon! You all make such problems!”

Since when is 93 a young age? I wrinkled my nose at the thought of her when she was younger. She was probably like Taylor, the annoying newspaper girl who liked to attack people and gossip. Without thinking my voice rose, “Well I could say the same about your teaching, considering that almost every student since my parents has not passed your final. Maybe you should think about retiring or something altogether more permanent. That way all your problems are over.”

As my words were spoken aloud a gasp rose from my classmates and sadly Mrs.Dominare’s hearing did not fail her now. With a rigid back and she came closer to my so that I could see the long hairs protruding around her mouth, she only said two words, but they held enough significance. “Get out.”

I waited till my blush had calmed down a bit and so had my anger as I went out to the hall. Why did I have to open my big mouth? I mean lately everyone’s been pushing and pulling me in directions I don’t want to go, but that wasn’t me. Jessa does most definitely speak or even think like that. Oh my. What if I’m now possessed with an alien and will do all this bad stuff and then I’ll get blamed for this.

I pulled out my phone and wrote a message, ‘If I Jessamine Estelle Benton do anything unlike what I would normally do, it is the evil alien controlling me…’ There that should take care of the problem! I mean they always check the phone and laptops of a criminal. Television tells you all the important details like that. Wait, where was I supposed to go? ‘Get out’ is actually a really general statement and I’m not sure where to go from there. Down the hall I saw a lone desk and figured I might as well wait for the period to end.

As I left she was droning on and on about how the important it was to memorize the formulas because we wouldn’t be given on the day of the final. Whoop de do, another formula involving variables and nonsensical things! Math, just what I live for. During Mrs. Dominare’s speech I had instinctively grabbed for my sketchbook and graphite pencils prepared to get lost in my own thoughts and imagination, so I held it in my hands now as I continued down the silent hall. I sat down at the rickety desk, careful to not get any of the hundred year old gum on my legs and started to do what I promised my mother I wouldn’t do, draw.

To be honest it wasn’t something that could be helped, the lines and movements just flew through and another part of my body took over. My love of art took over. All those frustrations, the anger, the disappointment, everything flowed in one motions and that motion was the picture. At first glance it might look simple, like a doodle on a sheet of paper, but once you look closer you could see all the different layers. Layers just like with Shrek and onions I had layers too, just not as stinky.

Life was like that, the intricate connections and differences that you couldn’t see at first glance. I guess more time had passed then I knew because before I knew it the halls were filled and bustling, each person passing had millions of thoughts and things going on in their lives and all I knew about them were their names. I felt a tap on my shoulder and I turned to see that Ash was standing next with her contagious smile. 

“Let me guess what makes the drama queen happy… Hrm, how about a new type of Subway sandwich? No that’s not it… The lunch ladies went on strike and now we have gourmet chiefs? Oh I know, Hunter as-“ Ash interrupted me by squishing her fingers against my lips making all intelligible speech disappear. She moved her face close to mine and her blue eyes shone with a clearness that showed she was serious, “Don’t even utter his name, Jessa. Don’t say it out loud. Ever.” I gave her a smirk and Ash looked questioningly at me as I did. Her back stiffened when she heard the familiar voice.

“Hey Midge! How is your relationship with the floor? I hope you two haven’t broken up yet… You guys are my OTP, that’s one true pairing in case you were wondering.” Hunter winked and in turn Ash just glared at him. “Speak of the devil and he shall appear! And for your information I’m not a certified midget, so stop calling me one!” she whined. He looked down at her, faking sympathy and responded back with, “Denial is the first step. It’ll be okay don’t worry Ashy.”

As he continued on his rampage about her shortness, her foot stomping grew and so did the coloring in her face. “I’m 5’1! Midgets are 4’10 and under! Deal with it, Beany!” Hunter’s loud and throaty laugh echoed through the halls at her new nickname and his eyes were alight with new mischief. Sadly Ash was so much fun to tease and I knew he would do it all day so as he opened his mouth I stepped between the two and started pinching their cheeks, “Aw, you guys are so c-u-t-e together! When’s the marriage” That got them to be quiet for now.

“Anyways, Ash, you were taping on my shoulder to tell me something I assume?” Her smile came back as she thought of whatever she was going to tell me and said in an excited voice, "Oh yeah! Before I was rudely interrupted by you-know-who--who is no longer Voldemort but an annoying little big beanstalk boy-- I was going to tell you abut this amazing opportunity that this girl just gave you!" I laughed as Ash practically danced on her tip toes waiting for me to guess or give up.

I decided to go with the second choice, seeing as Ash was horrible at giving hints. "Well are you going to say what it was?" She jumped and said in a loud voice, "Well duh! I entered you in this contest!" She then shoved a torn and crumpled paper into my face and pointed out the title. It explained this contest that would be ending soon and that there would be some sort of prize that had to involve art or something. "Ash, you know I had to give up art." She looked at my newest drawing pointedly and waited for me to explain it if I wasn't doing art.

"Well you see, I kinda...erm.. I needed an outlet? I said some things that were particularly nasty math teacher and I felt bad afterwards even though the sassiness might've been needed. I'm just tired of being told who to be. I just want to be Jessa. Whoever that is." Ash came over and hugged me, while Hunter just looked uncomfortable but still offered a small smile. “You are the most amazing person I know and I love you, I just hope one day you can see yourself the way I do. And plus it’s kind of too late. I already entered your painting in it and it’s off to join all the other competitors’ stuff. I hope you aren’t too mad, but I figure it’s a way to prove to your parents and yourself that you have talent. Plus who knows, you might even get in! Westfield-Rose Academy for the Visual Arts here we come!”

I shook my head and pulled away from the hug and then grabbed one arm from Hunter and one of Ash’s. “You two are crazy… I guess I should go take you to back to the cuckoo house where you belong!” We all started skipping down the hall to see who could go the fastest and make the others fall. Let’s just say that the principle wasn’t too happy when we bumped into him when we were supposed to be in English. Woops, maybe I should start packing already. Anything can happen at this rate, but one thing’s for sure, if we ever did make it to that mental hospital they would get a run for their money. As we laughed and ran away from the ‘skip and run’ I thought about the possibility of getting that scholarship and a small flicker of hope flamed inside of me. Maybe it all would turn out okat like Ash said.

Unimportant Author's Note: Hello my swagilicious peeps! Here's another new chapter! Not the best, but I hope you all like it... The story should be picking up soon and so should the plot. Sorry that the story and I are being slow pokes! So yeah. This is awks, but I shall see you all next chapter! Who knows, maybe I'll have regular updates.. but then again, knowing my laziness I probably wont. Okie dokie I'll see ya all later gators! Thank you so much for reading all of your comments and love made me so happy! You saved the story from being deleted.. So yeah. Toodles for now! -Katia xx