It was already the first day of school and everyone did a bad job at convincing themselves that they were excited rather than nervous. It was understandable that people would be nervous but it made me laugh knowing that most people felt nervous and nearly all of them were trying to hide it in order to be like everyone else. Talk about conformity!
Jenna and I were the only ones that weren't entirely bothered but we still let the nervousness we possessed show through. Knowing I had Jenna in my biology class- the one I was most looking forward too- created excitement. I was slightly anxious to know whether I would be able to keep up with my classes. My mom had told me that I would be able to as the vampire part of me would absorb it like a sponge. Of course, I already knew that; it wasn't that part I was worried about- I was worried about the human part of me. In high school I had to pay more attention than what my mom did and now I was at university level it worried me some. I even got to the point of considering dropping History and Philosophy of Science as I didn't know much about it. That was until I'd learnt a human was hoping to major in four subjects. Four.
It was a Monday and I had two classes to look forward too: Art this morning and Biology later. I liked the way the schedule worked. Everything was spaced out accordingly and both Jenna and I had classes at the same time except, as I took another class she would have free. When I had Art, Jenna had Psychology so it worked.
I knew my first lesson wasn't a lecture and was a practical lesson so I dressed casually in light jeans, a thick, baggy grey top and grey plimsolls. I'd tied my long curly hair in a loose bun which left a few random curls dangling. Jenna had said that I look simple but lush. Her words not mine.
Walking across campus, Jenna's arm was looped with my own and she talked about what she already knew of Psychology and her interest in the subject. Her talking made it easier for me to ease the thought about what my first lesson would bring. I wasn't worried about the lesson, just the people in it. I'd hoped that Biology would have been my first lesson as I'd have Jenna with me. What made me feel worse was that I was letting myself worry and I didn't like it one bit. It was just something about this lesson that didn't feel right.
I left Jenna outside her building and walked on the where the arts block was situated. A small breeze pushed its way through my hair and I instinctively folded my arms across my chest. Bleak and overcast, I groaned. I loved the feel of warmth on my skin and the way people reacted to the warming of temperature. The sun seemed to pass a happy spurge through its rays. Saying that, I wasn't particularly bothered by the greying sky as it was natural for me to live in that environment; given that Forks constantly had said environment. The wind bothered me the most.
I walked into the building and quickly located the room I was supposed to be in. I noticed a couple stood outside and wondered why they had not entered. Proceeding to the door I saw a white sheet of paper with swirling script written in a black ink informing First Year students that the morning's class had been moved to a different room, taped to the door.
I sighed and followed the couple to the room down the hall. Upon entering I noticed that the entire room was white despite the wooden flooring. Sixteen easels stood in a circle facing outward with backless stools accompanying them. The easels surrounded a circular white podium that held multiple wooden objects and numerous fruits abstractly placed in an artistic design. It was then I realised that this first class would consist of us 'copying' what we could see from whatever angle we saw it.
Apart from the two people I had entered the room with, there were two others already situated at easels. Finding myself lucky for being early I casually walked behind each easel analysing the angle at which I saw the centre object. I found an angle I liked and sat at the easel placing my bag at my feet. Nothing was placed on the easel so I was glad I'd bought authentic sketch paper with me knowing I needed to be prepared. I'd bought necessities like pencils and colours with me but found that a sketch pencil, an eraser and a pack of ten pastels lay on the rim of the easel.
Another few students then bustled in and soon most of the easels, save three, had been claimed. At that point, a middle aged woman walked in the room with glasses resting upon her nose. Her hair fell down in two plaits and she wore plain clothing with an apron wrapped around her that was simultaneously splattered with numerous-both in colour and type- paints. She walked over to the other side of the room and stood in front of a desk I hadn't realised was there until now, and removed her apron slinging it on the desk chair before looking through the random papers on the desk.
The piercing sound of the bell sounded startling me. I looked toward the door and started. My nostrils flared before my eyes bulged confirming my original assumption at what I'd sensed. The small black haired vampire flounced through the door carrying a large bag that looked too large to belong to her. She looked taller than I thought she'd been, despite her being under the average height anyway. I figured it was because the tall one didn't follow her through the door. I averted my eyes before she'd notice me staring. I thought I'd gotten lucky until I heard the light pattering footsteps coming closer and heard the scrape of the stool to my right move and a clump of a bag hit the floor.
Crap, she'd decided to sit next to me. Not that she'd had much choice though, I suppose.
I stiffened involuntarily and felt my heart pump more rapidly. I took deep breaths through my nose cursing myself for having this reaction. What made it worse was that I could feel her gaze upon me. I could see her face in my peripheral vision. Swiftly glancing in her direction I could see her brows furrowed together and her gaze watching my face. I rung my fist in my lap and gave her a timid smile. Purposely, of course. Any human would have done had they made eye contact with someone who was staring at them. She replied with a brighter smile. I looked away in time to see the teacher cross the room to close the door. I felt this vampire lean closer to me and I snapped my head to look at her.
"Are you alright?" She whispered. I was caught off guard. If her image or smell didn't give her away, her voice certainly did. It sounded like the chiming of bells. A soft chord played from the highest notes of the piano. Her light voice didn't match the image a vampire was supposed to have. That being said neither did my mother's voice. It did however, sound attractive and no doubt in my mind, it had lured people in. Her gold eyes bore into mine searching for something and I found myself captivated as I recognised the look of worry in her features that I frequently saw of the face of my mom.
I nodded, "Yes. Just a bit nervous I guess." I whispered back inclining my head in the professor's direction.
Technically, I was telling the truth; I was nervous. But not at the presence of the teacher; the presence of this tiny, but dangerous vampire sat less than three feet away.
"Welcome everyone, my name is Helen O'Toole and I am the main professor for the advanced drawing art course." She introduced.
Her voice was full of authority. The word 'advanced' had been emphasised and I felt my nerves kick in even more. I'd known that I'd definitely wanted to take one of the courses based on drawing but when I discussed it with my mom; I told her that I wanted to take the beginners. She had said no because she thought my sketches exceeded beginner. She'd argued for advanced but I'd thought I'd applied for intermediate instead.
That's when it clicked. She'd been on the phone a lot to the Dean and the secretaries discussing issues I didn't realise needed to be discussed. I figured now that one of them was transferring my application to the advanced course instead. My anger piqued; I was going to kill Isabella Swan.
"Now, I suppose some of you are wondering why the classrooms have been altered, well," She paused, "This classroom is hardly in use and is for booking time only for a student's practical assignments. We're doing things a little differently this year as a number of students in the past have chosen courses that aren't their level; that being too difficult of too easy for their abilities.
"So, this year the faculty has decided to go through a small assessment so that we can analyse your capability. At the end of the class I should know where each of you will be situated. Of course, this will all be discussed with the Dean as well along with your parents to decide the best action to take at getting you the best results for your future."
As this discussion continued my heart raced. I noticed from the corner of my eye the vampire bouncing up and down. Turning slightly so I could catch a better look she seemed to be vibrating. I realised then that she was bouncing but because of her speed it looked like she was vibrating; from excitement maybe? I felt her eyes lock on mine and I directed my attention back to the professor talking about why this action has to be taken.
I shouldn't have looked at the vampire. I realised too late that the movements were dim and that no human would have been able to notice them.
"Pastels are the most common form of colour that we will be using this quarter so that why you have them now. You have the majority of this class to copy the image on the podium you see in front of you. This work will determine your capability. Remember," She said matter-of-factly, "smudging is the best way to use these materials and don't be afraid of colour." She finalised.
She wore a large smile on her face then simply said, "You may begin." She looked at her watch then the clock on the wall as if confirming that her watch was correct. She proceeded to walk behind the desk and left us to it.
I snagged some paper from my bag and began by looking at the angle of the abstract form of the object. I took the pencil and began with a simple faint outline of the separate objects I could see before turning them in a three-dimensional shape in the page. The shape looked strange on the page so I drew the outline of the podium I could see and though of an effective way I could create a background to the image. I removed the pastels from the packaging and found all the colours I needed. They were three different shades of brown to use for the wood and different brighter colours for the numerous fruit that I saw.
I got sucked into my work. It was this side of drawing I liked the most. I didn't like to say I was copying; it didn't sound sophisticated enough but it was the only way I could make it simple. Drawing from my mind's eye was difficult for me despite my ease at seeing my thoughts clearly. This form of sketch is what I was used too. Being absorbed my original fears were erased and I was enjoying my time. Based on what the professor had said I concentrated on the way the light reflected and created shadows on each shape as it was the best way to smudge, I found. Using white to highlight and black to deepen each colour and shape; it bought the page to life.
I was startled when I heard a voice come from behind me, "That's really good work!" She praised, "You've managed to shape everything with perfect precision and detail. I'm impressed."
It was Professor O'Toole. I was so caught up I hadn't realised she was stood only centimetres away. Of course, I knew that she'd began making her way around the students as I'd heard the faint whispers of her knowledge as she took in every one's work. From the way she spoke I found it pretty obvious which people she was thinking of having discussions with later.
"Try not to use as much black for shading when you're using a bold colour with pastels. See the apple?" She questioned. I nodded in reply. I was eager to learn; it was what I was here for after all. "With simple crayons and pencils it works but for pastels and wax just press a little firmer with the colour and it'll appear darker." She proceeded to show me with the red pastel on a small section of the paper, "then if you find it isn't dark enough, dot black on and smudge it with the tip of your finger, like so."
I couldn't help smiling, "Thank you."
"Other than that it looks wonderful, Miss..." She said probing for my name.
"Swan. Well, Nessie works best." I told her timidly.
"Well, well done Nessie. Have you thought of what you could do for the background? It doesn't have to stay white." She hinted before moving across to admire the next piece of work she came across.
I hadn't thought about it no, but I didn't miss the sharp turn of black hair to look in my direction at the mention of my name through my peripheral vision. I wondered if it was that my name sounded familiar to her-Swan wasn't exactly an uncommon surname. She might have thought 'Nessie' was a strange name. But it had definitely been 'Swan' that she turned her head for. A chill ran through me at the thought there could be an alternate motive for it.
I tried to block out the professor as she praised the vampire's work in a similar fashion and thought about the background I could do seeing as I had completed the foreground. I looked at the pastels and realised I hadn't used the primary colours: Yellow, Cyan and Magenta.
Without a second thought, I alternated the three colours and drew diagonal lines across the remaining white paper before smudging then in to make it look like colours that had run onto each other. As I finished the teacher called, "I'm afraid that's time folks, we've ran on far longer than we should have. Please sign your work and you'll hear from someone soon."
I wrote my name in the bottom right-hand corner then proceed to pack the pastel back into the box
"You may pack away your belongings. There's only ten minutes remaining anyway so you may leave early but can: Miss Cullen, Mr Raynor, Mr Gerald, Miss Swan, Miss Hayes, Mr Farmer, Mr Barker, Mr Windsor and Miss Newton; please stay behind as I have my decision already for you.
One thing I do ask is that you call me, Helen. Most teachers aren't concerned whether they are addressed by their forename or surname and I do not mind either although I'd prefer it if you addressed me as 'Helen'. If I have not mentioned your name then you are dismissed."
At her parting sentence, action resumed and the remaining seven people upped and left. I packed away my sketch book and walked to join the group forming around Helen's desk.
Helen smiled up from her desk at us all before speaking, "May I ask Miss Cullen, Miss Swan, Mr Raynor, Miss Hayes and Mr Windsor to just stand the other side of the room for a moment please?"
I heard mumbling but we all obliged and awkwardly stood by each other at the other end of the room. It soon became evident as to why we'd all been told to stop behind as I heard her telling the other students that they didn't show enough skill in their work for this course. My heart sank into my stomach as I tried to tell myself it was okay I knew I should have been put on the intermediate course, but no! Bella, miss mother-knows-best, had gone and stupidly changed my course!
As I ranted in my head I didn't notice the professor walk over to us, smiling.
"Hello, I won't keep you for long." She began, "I just wanted to tell you guys will defiantly remain on the advanced course. I have been extremely impressed with all of your work. A few things will need to be improved but that will go for everyone."
I couldn't help smiling; I was so relieved. Guess miss mother-knows-best actually did know best. I'd never admit that though; I was too stubborn to see her slight smugness that I knew would be there if I mentioned anything.
"I don't want to keep you too long so I'll just say 'see you next class!'" She finalised.
We all chorused out 'thanks' and disbursed. I reached in my bag to turn my phone back on so I could text Jenna to ask her where she was. Once the screen flashed 'on' I walked out the room and into the now busy corridor and sent my message.
I jumped when I felt a small tap on my left shoulder. I turned my head to see the vampire stood next to me.
"Sorry! I didn't mean to make you jump." She said lively. God, her voice was high! "You're Nessie, right?" She asked.
I sort of stood there looking at her, "Yeah." I hesitated. I couldn't exactly lie, despite my wanting too.
She beamed, "Hi, I'm Alice, nice to meet you."
I smiled back in politeness. She was about to say something else when a voice interrupted us
"Alice." A masculine voice called. Not loudly, but loud enough for us to both snap our heads up. I saw him walking towards us from behind Alice. His face was a straight poker face. His eyes were as bright as Alice's and his skin looked a little paler-if that was even possible. He had wild bronze hair that was quite similar-if not identical- to mine. He was wearing dark jeans a white top covered with a black jacket. His hands were in his pockets
Alice smiled at his approach, "Nessie, this is my brother, Edward." She introduced, "Edward, this is my new friend, Nessie."
My eyes snapped to her face. I'd say we were now acquaintances but I wouldn't go as far as saying we were friends. We'd exchanged about five lines between each other.
I saw Edward nod slightly before directing his attention at me, "Nice to meet you, Nessie." He made no move to shake my hand which I was secretly thankful for. If they had some form a mind power he'd see my thoughts in an instant. Both of them would. I could never block my gift from Zafrina unless my mom was protecting me, but I could Senna. And them being wise and all told me that it would be more difficult to block my gift if I made contact with a vampire who also shared a mental ability.
Edward looked back at Alice and they seemed to be having a strange interaction. I felt my phone buzz in my palm and immediately looked at it. It was a message from Jenna saying:
Turn around x
I turned my head to look behind me and saw Jenna's form growing as she approached. Her ponytail swishing as she walked.
"How did you know where to find me?" I questioned when she was close enough, completely forgetting about the vampires next to me.
"I have my sources." She replied with a wink.
I raised my eyebrow and smiled, "Frank?"
"But of course." She replied with a smirk on her face.
By then she'd reached us and I thought it was only polite to introduce them, "Jenna, this is Alice-she's in my art class- and her brother-"
"Edward." She interrupted, "We've met." Her tone was a sarcastic sweetness.
I turned to her and she was glaring. She was actually glaring at him. I exchanged a glance of confusion with Alice.
"Miss Hart and I had a little disagreement in class when I simply corrected her on something." He stated.
Jenna scoffed. I saw her ears begin to turn red and she folded her hands across her chest and lent on one foot. She held a proper bitch stance and I burst out laughing at her.
"Well, I just hope she managed to keep her thoughts in check." Emphasising the word 'thoughts'. She stopped glaring at Edward and turned to me, her eyebrows turned up in an apologetic expression.
I kept laughing at her, "Come on we need to go." I said turning us, "It was nice meeting you both." I said before I started pulling Jenna along with me.
"Same here, Alice," Jenna called behind us.
I laughed as we exited the building. "What was that about?" I questioned.
"Nothing, I'll tell you later," she replied. "I guess that means both of us are stuck with the vamps then."
"Yeah, I guess we are."
