Stifling a groan, I rubbed my eyes, waking for the morning. Throwing my old blue sheets off the bed and swung my legs over the edge. A long thin scar runs up my thigh and under my grey dolphin shorts. Rubbing more crust out of my eyes, I fumbled my hand across the cardboard box I called a nightstand and reached for my glasses. My shabby dorm came into focus through the lenses. Clothes and empty food packaging littered the floor. Pushing myself up with the bed, I tiredly wobbled to my clean clothes pile and changed into a pair of torn jeans and a color-stained green shirt.
I stared at myself in the mirror. My ginger hair was frizzy and messy, and my fair freckled skin was covered in dried inks and paints. I turned on the sink and splashed my face with cold water. Then, before drying my hands, I rand my wet fingers through my tangled hair, pushing it down towards my scalp.
My head shot up to a series of sharp knocks on my door. “Damnit,” I swore, speedwalking to my door with a pack of energy mints. Opening the door, I came face to face with a well-put-together woman in a button-down and black leggings. “Morning, Ms. Ryans,” I said sheepishly, rubbing the back of my head with my free hand.
“Good morning Katie. If you don't leave soon, you’ll be late for class,” Ms. Ryans suggested, gesturing into the hallway. “Thanks,” I said, giving her a tired smile, ” You're the best, Ms. Ryans.” Then, throwing on my knee-high boots, I ran through the hallway and out into the city.
A layer of smoggy clouds hung low over the Philadelphian sky. It’s a shit city, but it's home. Running through the streets, I stopped by a small cafe I was surprised hadn’t been bought out by a chain yet.
“Heyy, morning Katie!” The man behind the counter chirped. “Morning, Lucas. Usually, please, I'm running late.” The thin man reached behind the counter and pulled out a chocolate chip muffin.
Shoving my hand into my pockets, I rustled up 3 dollars and tossed them on the counter. Then, taking the muffin, I gave Lucas a quick smile, “Thanks,” And ran back out of the cafe.
Turning a few city corners, I ran through the entrance to the New River University campus. The entrance courtyard was filled with students filling the various buildings. Trees shaded small grassy plots, and gardens lined each building. Running to the Everett arts center, I stopped at the side of the door and let out a massive sneeze.
“Bless you!”
Turning around, a taller woman with a long blonde ponytail stood slightly over me, a smile plastered on her face. Taking a crumpled tissue out of my pocket, I returned her grin with a crooked smile as I blew my nose. “Thanks,” I said, putting the tissue in a different pocket to toss later.
“Spring not agreeing with you?”
I shook my head with a sniff and a chuckle, “Too much pollinated air.” Patting my shoulder the woman’s grin grew, “Im Elle Thompson!” She reached her muscular arm out. Grabbing her hand in turn, we shook. “I'm Katie Ward. Aaanndd If I don't start moving I'm going to be late for class again!” A look of panic came across my face, as I threw open the door. “It was nice meeting you Elle!,” I called back, booking it down the hall.
I made It to the art room right on time. The teacher was still at his desk, and the students were on their phones or chatting with one another.
Sitting at my easel, I set up all my paints and brushes on my little side table. Sighing, I leaned onto my knees. Before my body could drift off, the Professor, Mr. Stevens, Cleared his throat. “Good morning, artists! We have a very special session today," he sang.
“Today we will be painting or drawing, up to you, a live model!” Whispers ran through the room as the students tried to guess who it would be.
Walking to the door, Mr. Stevens entered the hallway and called someone in. My eyes went wide with shock as none other than Elle Thompson walked in the door with all the bravado of a queen. “Ms. Thompson of the track team has volunteered to be our model for today,” the professor started before turning to Elle, “Considering we are all adults here, you can choose to keep your clothes on or go nude for the modeling.”
“Aight, no problem professor,” Elle said, pulling her t-shirt over her head. During the process, her eyes met mine, and she wiggled her eyebrows slightly in my direction, which caused a very bright blush to cover my face. Then, piling her Jeans and shirt on an open table, she began to undo her bra. “This is as much as I’ll take off,” She winked, “girls gotta keep some modesty.”
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Standing at the front of the room, Elle flexed her muscles and found a good standing position. “Alright class,” Mr. Stevens began, “Please begin.”
Taking out my sketching pencil, I lightly marked out Elles outline. Starting with her torso, I roughed out her defined four-pack and toned sides. Then, moving up, I sketched her chest. Glancing up slightly, she caught my eye and winked. My blush did not go away for a while.
After finishing the sketch, I took out my paints and palette and began to color. After completing her tan skin, I mixed my shading tone. Then, biting my tongue, I carefully added the darker color under her breasts.
After a while, I felt shaking on my shoulder, and I… Opened my eyes. “Shit did I fall asleep?”
“Maybe just a little.” Turning slowly, I saw Elle smirking down at me. “Oh. Uh. Hi?”
“Hey yourself. Even if you did, you still did the best of everyone. You even got details I didn't think anybody would get. And i like your creative additions.”
Turning back to my canvas, the color drained from my face as I saw the canvas covered weird sigils and symbols
Dropping my head in defeat I mumbled an apology. “Hey, Hey,” Elle said softly, Kneeling down next to me, “You don't need to apologize, I think it's great! If you’ll let me, I'd love to take it home.”
“If you really think my weird dream art is good, feel free,” I mumbled, wiping my eyes on a clean part of my shirt.
“I know what’ll cheer you up! Come with me to lunch, Ill grab the canvas later,” Elle said excitedly, grabbing my arm and pulling me to my feet, which wasnt hard with her being probably a foot taller than the 5’5” little redhead. “And no arguments!”
“Okay okay! You don't need to pull, I can walk!”
Elle dragged me all the way across campus to the lunchroom. Entering, she sniffed the air, and smiled. “Seems like the cooking students are taking orders!”
A teacher standing in the doorway handed us menus. Burgers, Fries, Pasta, the variety of the menu was staggering. Walking up to the food counter, one of the students was there with a notepad taking orders. “What can we get you ladies,” She asked. Elles smile perked up even more as she ordered, “4 Hot Dogs and some fries for me please!” The student jotted on the notepad before turning to me, “And how about you?”
“Can i have a small Cesar and a burger?”
“Alright ladies, your orders will be together under number 53! Please wait at the end of the counter for your number to be called!”
Putting the menus on a small pile, Elle guided me to the other side of the counter. Crossing my arm across myself, i thought about how very uncomfortable i was. I never really liked crowds.
“Sooooo,” Elle said, slightly awkwardly, “What do you do for fun Katie?”
I shrugged, “I try to play video games, but i can't do anything that cant be paused.”
Elle raised an eyebrow at this, “This have something to do with your falling asleep In class?”
I let out a soft embarrassed chuckle, “Narcolepsy. I’ve had it since I was little.”
“Number 53!”
Elle jumped up, “Ill go get it.”
It only took her a few seconds to grab out paper trays of food, “Come with me Katie, I'm going to introduce you to my friends while we eat!” I Strained a smile at her, “Yaaaay”
Elle lead me through the winding halls of the main building, until we reached a room labeled, the Paranormal and Preternatural club. I raised an eyebrow, “A ghost hunting club?”
Elle snorted, “kinda. It’s mostly us hanging out though. She fished a key out of her jacket pocket, and twisted it in the lock with a cur-chunk.
Elle quickly pulled me out of the doorframe, my glasses falling off as I tripped. What looked like a solid hardback book flew through the doorway.
“Elle! You're late!” A high pitched voice called from the room. “I brought a new friend!” She called back in a sing song tone. A series of curses and falling object emanated from the room as a short girl popped out of the door.
I quickly dropped to my knees and started feeling around on the floor for my glasses. “Need help?” The girl snorted. I finally grabbed my glasses, and glared at her as I slid them back on. “No thank you,” I said pointedly, Pushing back onto my feet.
“Well, Katie. This little gremlin is Amelia Kellner, the club president!” Elle reached over and messed up Amelia's already messy brown hair. “Stop it you giant!”
Giant was right. Elle was already taller then me, but she towered over Amelia. The girl must have been five foot even.
“And this is Katie!” Elle decreed, before leaning down and stage whispering, “She drew me naked.” I could only guess how red my face was at that. “It was for a class!” I mumbled.
Amelia lightly slapped Elle on the thigh, “don't bully the poor girl. Come inside, I've got tea.”
The inside of the room was a librarian's dream. Bookshelves lined the walls and old rocking chairs sat at a round table. The other side of the room was filled with various gadgets and occult items.