Between the Land and the Sea - By Derrolyn Anderson Page 0,49

me. I just wanted to be left alone for a minute.

I heard voices, and I recognized Heather and Jamie from art class. Another set of footsteps shuffled in.

“Hey Shayla,” said Heather, “Can I bum a smoke?” I heard a match strike and smelled the cigarette fumes. It made me feel even more sick.

“You guys got art with that freak Marina, right?” Shayla said with contempt.

“Yeah,” said Jamie, “Did you see what she was wearing today? Those were like three hundred dollar jeans, and her shoes are like, way, way expensive.” I looked down at my feet and squeezed my eyes shut.

“She thinks she’s so great cuz she has nice stuff. She’s just a stuck up little bitch,” added Heather.

“Her and her queer cousin Cruz came to school with Ethan today. I don’t know how he can even stand to be around those losers,” said Jamie. My blood began to boil.

“She’s totally lucky he works for Cruz’s mom,” said Shayla, “Cuz that’s the only reason he’s even nice to her.” I felt my face flush hot.

“Did you hear that she drew a naked picture of herself in art class?” asked Heather.

“Yeah,” Shayla said, laughing mockingly, “What a total slut.” I started shaking with shame and rage.

The bell rang, and after passing around breath freshener they left for class, leaving behind only a cloud of smoke. I wanted to disappear, overcome by a sudden image of myself diving into the ocean and never coming back out. I began walking in the opposite direction from art class, intending to wait for Cruz and Megan in the parking lot. Turning a corner, I ran straight into Mr.

Briggs.

“I see you’re late too,” he said with a twinkle in his eye, “but you’re heading in the wrong direction.”

I reluctantly turned and walked to class with him. When we got there all the seats were taken except the one next to Ethan. I saw him move his books off the chair and look up at me expectantly. I went and sat down numbly. Heather and Jamie were clearly disappointed to see me show up, looking at me malevolently. I just looked down and willed the class to end.

We were shown a slide show of Picasso and Braque paintings and instructed to do our own version of a cubist painting. Paints and small canvas boards were provided, and I busied myself with the work, taking pains to avoid Ethan’s eyes. His chair scooted closer to me and I could feel his leg brush up against mine occasionally as we worked. Heather and Jamie chatted away, vainly trying to engage Ethan in conversation. When the time came to pack up Ethan followed me to the sink.

“Can I give you guys a ride home?” he asked as we washed our brushes.

“No thanks,” I said, my voice thick, “Megan’s taking us.” I turned to leave. When I got to my desk I went to reach for my bag and felt something wet. Someone had dumped the dirty paint water into it. I looked up to see Heather and Jamie scurry out the door, laughing maliciously. I saw red.

Ethan came over to me, worried. He’d seen that expression on my face before.

“What did they say to you?” he asked, alarmed at the smoldering rage in my eyes.

“Nothing,” I replied sharply and turned to go. I grabbed my soggy bag and stormed out to find Cruz and Megan, eager to get home and put an end to this day.

I was pacing back and forth, waiting just back from the little cluster of girls standing and snickering at me when I saw Cruz and Megan approach.

“Hey fatty, your boyfriend looks like a girl!” Shayla called out to them. I could see Cruz and Megan look down, cowed. That did it. I raced up to within inches of her face, shaking with a ferocious rage.

My fists were clenched with fury and I spat out menacingly, “Do you have a problem?” Shayla stepped back reflexively, unaccustomed to being challenged. Then her eyes narrowed and she came at me. I had never hit anyone before but I was fully prepared to fight back, too angry to be afraid.

Strong hands grabbed me by my shoulders, lifted me off my feet and moved me aside. Ethan had gotten between us. I looked up to see Shayla’s shocked face.

“Knock it off!” he said to both of us, looking angry. He took me by my upper arm and escorted me to the parking lot, followed by Cruz and Megan. They were