It was the start of the second week at Benjamin Franklin High. The first week at BFHS wasn't too bad, but occasionally, Olivia had her run-ins with Noah and his posse. He'd make some rude comment and Olivia fought back with a remark that he almost never understood. It was quite entertaining for Olivia.
"I'm not exactly sure what I should do for Mrs. Walsh's assignment. Bird's eye view of any type of scenery. Must be done in light." Isaac read aloud. "Where can I even go that has nice scenery? And bird's eye? Maybe I'll just climb a tree." He sat across from Olivia, trying to make his pencil stand.
"Just think of your favorite place. And try to go on a day when the weather is spot on." Olivia replied.
"My favorite place… hm, I don't even know if I have a favorite place. I'll have to think a little about that. I just really wanna do well on this assignment." Isaac sighed, finally letting his pencil hit the lunch table.
"Isaac, you'll be fine. What you really want to worry about is Mrs. Walsh's final assignment. I'm already stressing over that and it's only the second week." Olivia giggled.
Isaac looked at her and smiled. She was pretty when she smiled, even if she had braces on. "So, how long have you had braces for?" He questioned. He's only known her for a few months, and he wanted to know more about her.
"I'd say, about… a little over four years?" She said.
"Wow," His eyes widened. "That's a long time. And the glasses?"
"I was sort of born with them. They're not much of a bother, unlike the braces. But I should be getting them off in a month or two." Isaac nodded. It seemed as if he had something on his mind, and Olivia could sense it.
"That's good… so, I was wondering if maybe you wanted to hang—"Isaac tried to finish before he was interrupted by the bell.
Olivia wasn't really paying attention to what Isaac said since she was thinking of what a drag English would be with the jerk himself, Noah Sanders. "Sorry, what were you gonna say?"
Isaac shook his head, "Never mind. Maybe we could talk about it next time?" She nodded at him before they headed their separate ways.
Ms. Derringer had the class write a poem over the weekend on whatever they were feeling in their lives and present in it to the class that following Monday. Olivia thought her poem was really well done, considering it was about her father's death and her sucky high school days.
Jasmine Nelson had just finished up her poem and the nerves were starting to get to Olivia. She hated public speaking; big or small audiences, it freaked her out. But all she had to do was block them out and she would be fine.
"Thank you, Jasmine! That was lovely." Jasmine took her seat as Ms. Derringer looked down at the paper in front of her. "Up next is… Oliv—"
"I'll go." Olivia looked at Noah who had his hand up. Surprising. He stood up lazily and walked his way to the front of the class. "Just to get it over with." He mumbled under his breath.
"Go right ahead, Noah." Ms. Derringer was surprised. She knew Noah was the type to not do his homework, sleep in class, skip class for that matter, and never participated in anything except sports. He stood there for a few seconds, scanned the room and sighed.
He shifted his feet.
"Why?
You make me want to punch myself in the face. Why?
I'm not sure, could be because you're such a disgrace. Yeah.
I'm not the first to tell you that, but it won't make a difference when I do.
Can't believe you were the one I actually looked up to."
Olivia was in shock. It was actually a really good poem, and the fact that Noah Sanders had written it was simply amazing. Who knew he was good at poetry?
Everyone clapped and Ms. Derringer couldn't stop herself from smiling.
"That was great, Noah! I did not think you were capable of writing that well! Okay!" Ms. Derringer sat back down. "Hmm, next is… Olivia! Come on up."
Noah made his way back to his desk with a smile on his face. A true, genuine smile that Olivia had never seen before. He sat down with a satisfied smug look.
As Olivia stood before everyone else, she looked around the room and shifted her glasses back to fit comfortably on the bridge of her nose. Her sight went straight for the back of the room and landed on Noah. He sat there waiting for her to start, his eyes squinted with anticipation. She snapped out of her trance and cleared her throat.
"Scars." Olivia cleared her throat again.
"Scars on my soul, scars on my skin;
Some on the surface, some are within;
Some tell a story, some are unwritten;
Some are visible, but most are hidden."
She stood there quietly, as everyone's eyes were on her. It was quiet, but as she brought the paper down, the whole class erupted in claps and Ms. Derringer had the same reaction she did with Noah.
"Wow, Olivia! That was incredible! You and Noah both have something in common; you're both great writers." She clapped once more as Olivia handed in her poem. Olivia looked over at Noah who looked surprised as well.
Once she was back in her chair, Noah's attention was on her and she could sense it.
"What was that about?" He stifled a little laugh while playing with his pencil.
"What do you mean?" Olivia cocked her head to the side, feeling confused. He faced towards the front of the classroom.
"What I mean is, why are you always so sad? Your clothes make you seem depressed, you don't have many friends, and… that poem was just plain sad." He shrugged at her, waiting for her to say something.
She couldn't say anything at the moment; she had no words to reply. How on earth was she supposed to stand up to that? Maybe she was sad, maybe she didn't have many friends, and Olivia already knew she wasn't exactly 'Best Dressed'. She never thought he would be so blunt about it and laugh at a poem that was inspired by the hardships she has faced for the past few years.
He sat there, waiting for her response. She didn't have one.
"Typical Black Sheep." He sighed.
Olivia tried not to let him get to her, so she did her best to ignore him. She was stunned by the words he just said to her.
Ms. Derringer laced her hands together with a pleased smile. "Okay, who's next?"
English was over and throughout the entire class, Noah hadn't looked at her since his comment on her poem and practically everything else about her. It's not like she wanted to talk to him, but it was just odd for him to talk to her. It made her quite uncomfortable having him in the same class, let alone having to sit next to him. Once the bell rang, Noah quickly got out of his seat and walked out the door without acknowledging her. Olivia exited the room and she watched Noah walk through the halls, finally meeting with his friends; their laughter echoing around the hallway.
"Hey, Olivia!" Isaac walked over to Olivia, who broke her stare from Noah, who was already out of sight. She waved at him. "About a while ago, during lunch… I just wanted to know if you maybe wanted to hang-"
"Olivia Anderson, you are needed in the principal's office. Olivia Anderson, you are needed in the principal's office." The intercom rang throughout the entire school, interrupting Isaac.
Olivia giggled at the frustrated look on Isaac's face.
He scratched the back of his head, chuckling a little. "I guess you should go. Maybe next time, if I don't get interrupted again."
"Okay." She smiled at him before leaving.
She walked over to the office, where the principal's assistant led her to Principal Meddler's room. "I'll let Principal Meddler know you're here, okay?" The assistant shut the door, and Olivia sat there waiting.
"Hello, Olivia." Principal Meddler entered his office and took a seat his chair, which looked to be a king's throne. "How are you doing?" He looked at her, arms folded.
"I'm doing okay, Mr. Meddler." She studied his face, and she could tell he had a curious look on it.
"I'm sure your father would be proud to see how far you've gotten today." Olivia raised her eyebrows.
"Thank you, I'm sure he would be." She smiled. "Is that what you wanted to talk to me about?" Principal Meddler knew Olivia's father back in high school, and although they weren't exactly buddy-buddy, they were friends at some point in their lives.
"Not exactly. I called you in because Mrs. Walsh told me you were one of her best art students." Principal Meddler seemed impressed.
"Well, I try my best." Olivia blushed. Okay, she had to admit, she was pretty darn good at art. Her favorite subject in the world.
"Also, she mentioned that you want to attend Yale University, a school that has one of the best art programs and teachers around the country."
"Yeah, I really do. It's probably been a dream of mine since I found out I was good with a paint brush." The smile on her face was wide. Olivia couldn't wait to explore another place outside of New Orleans and get to do art at the same time.
Principal Meddler started rummaging through the papers on his unorganized desk. He grabbed a colorful flyer; she saw him smile to himself.
"I have something that can help with that." Sliding over the paper to her, he knew Olivia would be interested nonetheless.
Art Scouts searching for the most talented art students in Louisiana, are YOU the one? $50,000 Scholarship for the Artist of the Year! Apply Now!
Olivia read through the flyer that could possibly change her life. Her eyes were gleaming with excitement.
"Mrs. Walsh knows you're capable of winning that scholarship. She wanted me to ask if you'd be willing to do it, and we will support you all the way."
"Of course I'll do it, this is an incredible opportunity!"
"Mrs. Walsh has shown me many of your artworks, and I must say they are quite excellent. Alright, just hand in this form to Mrs. Walsh whenever you're done filling it out and we'll send it in to the scouts. I believe your chances are very high." Principal Meddler held out his hand as Olivia shook it.
Grinning to herself, she took the form. "Chances are." The image of her father popped into her mind. This was a sign and she was going to take it. "Thank you so much Mr. Meddler. I appreciate it!" He nodded as Olivia began to exit.
The submission form was held tightly in her grasp. This year was going to turn out pretty well after all.