Chapter 2

“Can’t believe that wanker! Hairs still full of chalk dust.” William growled as he and his blonde friend walked out of the men’s bathroom.

“I can’t believe your nerve, Will! Trying to hit on a girl in front of the teacher.”

“I wasn’t hitting on her.”

“Whatever it is, you shouldn’t do it with Buffy.” The boys walked down the main staircase, “ She’s cute at first glance but she’s weird. I went to the same junior high as her, so I know. All she does is draw. she doesn’t talk to anyone and besides…I’ll bet she’s guy phobic.”

William gave him a look, the other boy continue, “We we’re in the same class in 9th grade, I slipped and touched her hand, right away she pulled it away. It was like my hand was something dirt. She didn’t even try to hide her disgust.”

William grinned, “Maybe you were just filthy back then, Andrew?” he dodged a punch and continued on down the hall way to class, “ I guess every school has at least one person like her.’

Andrew glared at him, “Trust me, you can’t help but be annoyed with her. She’s always so timid. It makes you want to rough her up a bit.”

“Hmm…so you even think about that stuff?”

“Shut up! I just think it. I wouldn’t really bully her!”

“It’s not like I don’t know what you mean.” They entered the classroom and took their seats.

In English class, Buffy was standing next to her desk reading from her book, though her voice was just barely audible.

“I can’t hear!”

The teacher glanced up from his own book, where he was following along, “Summers, can’t you be more enthusiastic?” He looked concerned, “ Are you feeling alright?”

A few peers around the classroom mumbled, “ That girl’s messed-up, dude.”

“ She’s defective by nature.”

The teacher frowned, “ Hey, Isn’t that a little harsh? You guys are her classmates, put yourself in her shoes.”

Buffy sat down and stared at her book, suddenly a folded up piece of paper landed on her desk, she slowly opened it and read, ‘I’ve been hanging on to the mother and child on the back of the map you drew…’

Mother and Child?

She sat there for a second wondering what he was talking about then, “OH!” she exclaimed.

A few students turned around, “What’s up, Summers? Is something wrong?”

William grinned, “Uh, yeah…there was a rat over there.”

Pandemonium erupted, meanwhile William moved from his seat and sat in the seat in front of Buffy, “See you can be loud.”

As the teacher got the students back in there seats, people began to notice that William and Buffy were talking.

“ Look, Summers is talking to a guy! And with that guy, William, no less. It’s the first time I’ve ever seen her talk to anyone.”

Faith glared at the two, “ I can’t believe it.” To herself.

William and Buffy were oblivious to everyone around them, “ You drew that picture didn’t you? Do you use models?”

“Um…That is…There’s no one specific. It’s just from watching moms in the park with their kids and stuff. It was more the idea…”

“Really? “

“Um…why did you hold on to it instead of throwing it out?”

“Why? Because it was beautiful…it’s an awesome drawing.”

After School Buffy was heading down the stairwell, when William called after her, “ Hey, Buffy! Are you going home already?” he rushed down the stairs after her.

“Um…No. I’m going to the studio.”

“Oh a club. So you’re in the art club?”

“Are you on the basketball team?” noticing the basketball in his hands.

William grinned, “ This? This is work.’

“Work?”

Just then Andrew passed by, “ Hey, Will. I’m gonna head over.”

William nodded, “ I’ll be there in a sec.” he turned back to Buffy, “ Oh yeah. Got any money?” Let me borrow it and I’ll double it for you.” She handed him the money, William started to leave then turned back and pulled a ponytail holder from her hair. “Let me borrow this too.”

As Buffy pulled the other ponytail holder out of her hair, a few girls down the hallway gossiped, “Check her out! She’s Blushing.”

“What’s wrong with Will anyway? And he’s with Buffy, of all people.”

“Hey, Faith.”

In the basketball court, various students sit on the sidelines cheering William on as he plays, causing a few Seniors walking past to stop. Who’s that long haired guy?” William dodges a player from the opposite team.

“That’s De’Sanguinary, he’s a junior.”

“Really?”

“He’s got good instincts. And He’s got good height.”

“I heard he’s six-foot three.” William runs down the court, bouncing the ball.

“He’s a lock for MVP. Why doesn’t he join the team?”

“It’s character issues or something.” William makes the basket, the ball falls through the net and bounces on the ground.

Up in the Art Studio, Buffy works on a drawing by the window watching the basketball game in the court down below, “Look, the boys are playing basketball for money again. An empty court means a quick buck I guess. They’ve even brought in kids from other schools. I bet William and Andrew are the ringleaders. The two of them together is never good news. Whoever actually bets on them is pretty lame too!” Then she remembered the money that he’d borrowed and the ponytail holder, “ My hair tie…He doesn’t even care that It’s pink. What a weirdo!”

Down in the court, William and Andrew take a break from the game, “ Wow, you play hard Sanguinary.”

William shrugs, “ It’s a living. Gas money ain’t cheap, you know.”

“You’re lucky, though. I want to live on my own.” he grins, “ But being broke is bad, you can’t even get a hair cut.”

William reaches up and pulls the pink hair tie from his hair, and gave Andrew a shove, “My hair isn’t long, I just let it grow out a bit.”

Back in the studio, Buffy is still working on her drawing when Mr. Pryce came in, “Oh, Summers. You’re still here.”

“Mr. Pryce?”

“It’s great that you’re so dedicated, but school’s been over for hours. You’d better head home.” He shuts the door to the studio behind him, “ But wait one moment…you really do like to draw, don’t you? What are you working on now?” Buffy says nothing as Pryce comes over and puts a hand on her shoulder leaning down next to her to get a look at the picture, one hand slides down over hers, “ This is the hand you draw with? Such a talented hand.” His other hand slides forward down her shoulder, Buffy is panicking but words won’t leave her mouth.

Suddenly, the door opens and William walks in, “ Hey, Mr. Pryce.”

Pryce turns and stands up, “ Um, I was just making my rounds around the school. You’re not even in the art club. What are you doing here?”

William enters the room and looks at a painting sitting on the floor, “ Well, maybe I’ll join the art club too.”

“Don’t be stupid! There’s no way you can draw William.”

“You never know, I might have a hidden talent.” He grins at the teacher, “And I may be stupid. But at least…I go after girls my own age.”

“What are you talking about? What proof do you have of such nonsense?”

William picks up an Art knife, a look of fear crosses the teacher’s face. “ Wh…What do you think you’re doing?”

William gives him a look, “ Relax. I just thought I’d sharpen this pencil,” He pulls a pencil from the desk, “It’s not like I was thinking about cutting your face up or anything.”

Mr. Pryce runs out of the room and Will drops the knife, “Amateur.” then he looks at Buffy, “What’s wrong with you Buffy? You let him feel you up without saying a word? You could’ve at least said you wanted money or something.” She doesn’t say anything, he smiles at her and leans on the desk next to her, “ If you look scared like that it makes people think they can take advantage of you. You know that?”

He looks at her picture then to the statue, “ Is that your model? It’s really dead-on. You’re really good.” he walks over to the statue and stands in front of it, “Who is this guy?” He reads the engraving, “Mars? The Planet?”

“Mars. Most people just think it’s a planet. But there’s a mars in mythology too.”

“Mythology? Is he some sort of god?”

“He’s a soldier. He’s the God of war.”

William leans in to the statue, “For someone so violent, he has a gentle face, doesn’t he?” then he kisses the statue.

As he takes a step back, Andrew passes by the room, “Hey, Will. What are you doing? Lets go.”

“I’ll be right there.” William reaches in to his pocket, “Oh yeah, here. I told you I’d double it.” He tosses money wrapped in her ponytail on the desk and joins Andrew.

“What are you doing in the Art Studio?”

“Just some art appreciation.”

Outside, William and Andrew stare up at the sky, “Geez. Check out that sunset.”

“It’s the color of blood.”