Disclaimer: I don't own the Night World or anything else you recognize, sadly.

Chapter 4

Tasmin's POV

I could barely keep my eyes open in Arts and Culture on Monday morning. Ms. Nel was just going on and on about shading and my eyes was just closing and opening. I didn't get any sleep the night before. I was up all night, tossing and turning.

Some voice was calling me in the distance, Tasmin, Tasmin Daniels.

I lifted my head up with a start and looking straight at me was Ms. Nel.

She said, "Well Ms. Daniels, did you enjoy your nap?" her big eyes staring at me in disbelief, "Can I please see your drawing?"

Everyone was looking at me with grins on their faces and I could feel the blood rising to my cheeks.

"Sure ma'am," I said and I pulled it out from under my file. I was quite happy with the work I had done on my drawing. Art was in my blood. My mom's an artist/pre-school teacher.

Ms. Nel smiled at me and said, "Good work Tasmin. But please pay attention in class."

I groaned and put my head back on my desk.

Tyler's POV

The only person that could make that horrible uniform look good was her. She looked so cute when she blushed. I sighed and tried to carry on with my drawing. Lucky for me, the bell rang. Oh, how I detested Art. I packed all my stuff and I was halfway out the door when Ms. Nel called me.

"Ah Mr. Redfern," she said and wiped her glasses, "now I'm not going to beat around the bush. In order to be in this academic class, you've got to average 70% in each subject. Now your Art and Culture marks are not good enough. Have you considered extra lessons?"

Extra lessons, I thought, hell I couldn't stand this class as it is, now I have to take double of it.

She continued in her heavy Afrikaans accent, "I understand that you might be more comfortable with a fellow student helping you."

"Yes ma'am," I said.

"Why don't you ask Ms. Daniels to help you? I'm sure she would be happy to help."

Just at the mention of her name, it seemed that I was sucked into a void.

"Yes ma'am. I will ask her, but what if she does not agree to it?"

"Oh Tasmin's a doll. She always wants to do something like this for the extra merits."

"Of course ma'am. I'll try my hardest to stay in this class."

She smiled her old lady smile and said, "oh and Tyler," she scribbled something down, "you're late for your next class. You'll need this. Now off with you. Have a great day."

I mumbled a quick, "you too ma'am."

My heart was in my toes. I was going to have to ask her for extra Art lessons. I shook my head at the thought. I didn't want her to think I was incompetent enough to need extra Art lessons. I could barely look at her without having heart palpitations. I was practically shaking. I needed to talk to someone, but Alice would be at school. I decided to take a chance and phone home to talk to my dad. It rang and nobody answered. I was secretly relieved. I got voicemail and my mom's voice, "Hi you've reached Ash, Mary-Lynnette, Alice, Jason and Tyler Redfern. We're not her right now. Leave a message and we'll get back to you."

I sighed and walked to my next class.

Tasmin's POV

I was so glad when the bell rang. I needed some fresh air. I raced out of that class like my life depended on it. When I was out the door, I sucked in a deep breath and tried to calm my senses. Someone tapped me on my back. It was Misha.

"You okay?" she asked with a look of sincere worry on her face.

"Yeah I'm fine, thanks. I just felt suffocated after a while," I faked a smile and walked up the stairs with my crazy buddies, not paying attention to a word they said.

"So Tasmin, I was thinking. Do you wanna go to the ice rink this weekend?" asked Tracey-Leigh.

"Uhm gosh. Sorry, no I'm going to a game lodge with my family from Mauritius. They're visiting for the long weekend."

"Oh," she said and smiled, "what are you gunna wear for cultural day on Friday?"

"Well I wanna dress like a hippie. My mom bought me this new dress and I've got the perfect shoes to go with it. What about you?"

"You'll totally pull the hippie look off Tas. As for me, I'm gunna dress like a hip-hop dancer. Misha, Tracey-Lee and I are kinda doing it as a theme thing."

"Sounds cool," I said and drifted off.

"Hello gorgeous," said another voice. I looked up into eyes that seemed silvery.

If you're confused about anything, please tell me.