The week was long and the homework was already starting to pile up. As organized as I was keeping both a physical and digital planner, I was finding myself distracted. Plus, I woke up this morning with a hangover that made me want to curl up under my blankets and stop existing. The only thing that kept me going was the thought of seeing Shane today.
The first Friday of the semester was always one of spectacle and discovery. The list of welcoming events, celebrations, and social events was astounding. The biggest one being the elective selection. During the week we have our core classes, but on Fridays we we get to select an elective. Feeling like rehearsing for the theater, building robots, or painting? Well from noon until four in the afternoon we can partake in whatever skills we wish to hone. I was sitting in the bleachers as adminstration introduced themselves and then explained what today meant. I understood why people in movies wore sunglasses the day after partying.
"Hey, buddy. Get any action last night? You disappeared on me." Catherine jumped through the hand rails and sat down next me. Catherine was wearing her uniform as a caterer for the event.
"I guess. Sorry I left. That guy was being really pushy and then Shane showed up so - " I winced as she gripped my arm.
"Shane was there? No way!"
"Shhh, he asked me not to tell anybody."
"Well, I'm honored you shared your secrets with me. Plus, I promise to not tell anybody." She crossed her fingers over her heart and it made me laugh.
"Thanks. It was so nice seeing him so relaxed." I looked back at the podium. Mrs. Sheer was sitting in a chair behind the headmaster as he spoke.
"So, were any clothes removed?" Catherine chuckled.
"No, but," I paused, partially for dramatic effect but also so I could make sure no one could hear me whisper, "I kissed him."
"What?" Eyes were starting to wander towards us and I took that as our moment to escape through the handrail she climbed in through. We ended up back as her kiosk where she was selling snacks and coffee.
"We kissed more than once actually. Look, It's a long story that I will be able to give more details on after we meet up tomoror. Plus, he has a girlfriend. I'm accidentally being inserted into drama." I leaned against the corner of the metal cart.
"Oh, didn't realize I made friends with a homewrecker." She smiled, handing a muffin to someone who ordered while we were talking.
"I better get back. I'll let you know all about what happens later. Okay?" She nodded her head as another customer came up and I found a different, much more cramped seat in the middle of some theatre kids. The headmaster finished up his speech about the importance of the school and its place in society and got to the information everyone was jittery about.
"Now, to get to the good stuff. Friday's are going to be a little different this year. You normally get to choose beforehand the electives which you would like to partake, but now it is much less formal. In order to allow you all the creative and expressive freedom you need you will be able to wander through classes at your own leisure. You can focus on one elective or broaden your horizons and dabble in all of them. Wherever your interests lie, there is something for you." The crowd applauded and the headmaster started foing on again about some less interesting changes happening to the curriculum. I saw Shan in the front row and everything became muffled as I stared. Kate was next to him, holding his arm around her as if he was a prisoner and as though Shane felt my eyes burning into him, he looked back and smiled. There was an odd sddness to it. A call for help?
"So I don't keep you all here for too much longer, go and find your passions. Don'r forget to check out the concessions and food trucks behind the bleachers to refuel before class. If you need any help, assistance stations are set up along the field and inside the gymnasium." The students were already heading to the classes they were interested in, the headmaster no longer able to hold their attention. I remained seated as the initial rush happened, trying to find where Shane was going in the crowd. He disappeared before I could track him.
"He went that way." Catherine snuck up behind me and made me jump. "Don't forget you have to tell me everything!" She playfully punched my arm before returning to the kiosk to close up shop. I followed Catherine's finger to a building I had never been in before, just beyond the gym with a garage door lightly covered in spray paint. As I approached the metal door it clattered open and Shane was working on something in the corner. He was in his own little world sculpting and creating.
"This is where you escape the world." My hand was already covered in sawdust, but I didn't mind. I simply blew it off and watched it accumulate on the ground among the other piles of dust.
"You found me. Good. No one really comes to this shop on Fridays. You'd think it would be more popular. I get to make random stuff with whatever scrap I want." As much as Shane enjoyed the solitude he also enjoyed my company.
"I think it's too late for me to leave so if you don't mind I would love to join you." I said, looking over his sculpture he was making out of wood and metal.
"Since you're here you should meet the supervisor. He's a little weird and whatever you do don't ask about or look at his finger." Shane knocked on the door to the guy's office and a man shuffled around inside before opening up. He was a silhouette until he appeared in the light.
"Yes?" Oh! Shane! Is it Friday already? It feels like Monday." He shifted his gaze towards me and squinted. "Who is this?"
"It's alright, he's cool." Shane touched my shoulder and goosebumps spread from the that point. Inside I was giddy - he just called me cool.
"Awesome." The supervisor held out his hand to introduce himself. I realized what Shan meant by not looking at his finger because it loked like his index and middle finger had been welded together. "I'm Mr. Justin, the supervisor of this fine establishment." I shook his hand without hesitation, my fingers adjusting accordingly. He took my br the shoulder to show me around the shop. "Since we're kind of secluded no one really knows we're back here, but now that the word is spreading maybe more will show up!" He gave me a rough pat and then pushed me towards Shane, his strong arms catching me as I tripped.
"I got you." I felt like I was in a romantic comedy, his voice was like butter and his eyes sparkled against the fluorescents.
"Sorry about that." I said, regaining my balance.
"Not a problem." Shane helped dust off some wood shavings.
"Well, I'll leave you to it. Clean up whatever messes you make and if you me then make sure you knock to wake the dead." He gave one last smile before slamming the door to his office and turned on a radio. I stared for a moment and then Shane and I both laughed.
"Kate doesn't even know this place exists. She thinks I go off to some remote location to practice. This is my creative outlet and it's pretty much all ours." He held out his arms, giving his own tour of the garage. "You know, they say the arts are important for cognitive development and I figured I would try something new out and it just kind of stuck. Mr. Justin didn't mind that I didn't know what I was doing, but he accepted me anyways. I should stop, I'm babbling." He tossed a towel over his shoulder and brushed as he scratched the back of his head.
"You tend to do that when you get nervous. It's actually pretty endearing since you're so perfect." I leaned against the table, my hangover reminding me of the previous nights shenanigans.
"You think I'm perfect?" He perked up, trying not to smile.
"I, uh, is that what I said?" I chuckled, trying to change the subject by looking over the sculpture he was working on when I walked in. "This is really cool."
"I've been working on this for a while now. I'm glad you get to see me finish it. Wanna help?" Shane held out a piece of sandpaper and as I took it he guided me in front of him. He grabbed my hand and pushed it along the pieces of wood, little shavings falling to ground. When I turned to see him enjoying this moment I felt a tingle in my hand. We both turned to see our hands combined, moving along the sculpture as one hand with two arms. I pulled out with gasp and as I tried to get away Shane grabbed me pushed his lips against mine. I was surprised he was getting bold enough to kiss me on school grounds, but I didn't stop. He didn't ether. I felt him press against me and I leaned back, feeling the wall stop me. His hand slipped underneath my shirt and slid up my torso, his lips kissing down the side of my neck. I had closed my eyes as I felt his tongue lightly slide along my collarbone, but we both snapped out of it when we heard heels clomping outside of the building.
"Kate!" I whispered, pushing him off me and adjusting my shirt. He fixed himself, hiding behind his sculpture just as Kate turned the corner and walked into the garage.
"Hey! There you are. I had no idea this place was back here. What are you - " She stopped when she recognized I was in the room as well. Her eyes furrowed, but Shane brought her back to his attention.
"Nothing. Just electives." He awkwardly moved around some tools. I pretended like I didn't notice and wandered over to one of the empty tables farthest away from them.
"The girls and I were thinking of skipping out on today's nonsense. You wanna come?" She ran a finger down his chest.
"I think I should stay and finish this. Mr. Justin is expecting me to. You go and have fun!" Shane pulled away and peeked over at me before continuing to work on his art. Kate was getting suspicious and looked between the two of us.
"Fine." She made out with Shane for a few seconds and then stared at me as she walked away with the sound of her heels louder than ever. I attributed that to the hangover. When she was out of sight, Shane came over to me and pulled me into a hug.
"That was a close one." He said while still sporting a boner.
"Um, I think I should head inside," I pushed Shane away, "I don't really know how to use any of these tools and now Kate knows you're here so - "
"Hey, don't be scared of her. I should be the one freaking out. I'm basically cheating on her because I like you so much and I don't even know how to break it off because, well, you're right. She is scary." Shane was babbling again.
"You like me?" I was blushing and he kissed me.
"I'll see you tomorrow, yeah?" He asked, turning back to his sculpture. I looked back at him and nodded just as I turned the corner.
"Look at that little shit." Kate said, staring at my reflection in the library window.
"Kate, what did he ever do to you?" One of her friends tossed a bubble gum wrapper into the trash can containing an already chewed piece of gum.
"I have no evidence, but I think he's trying to get at my boyfriend." Kate finished reapplying her lipstick. She tossed the tube into her purse just as Max walked by with his gaggle of jerks having heard what she said. I knew how much he hated me, he liked to show it by shoving my shoulders as he passed me in the hallway or chasing me back to my dorm on the occassion. Since I was doing well in a class he was expected to excel in, his hatred was growing.
"I can always rough him up for you." He growled.
"No, but keep an eye on Grayson. That little faggot is not ruining this for me. Shane is supposed to be with me and I intend on keeping it that way." She snapped her fingers and like soldiers in a little Kate-army they marched out the door.
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