CH-03: PAINT AND POTS

THE ART SUPPLY CLOSET (AFTER SCHOOL)

The art room closet was small and smelled like old clay and dust. It was quiet inside. Marcus was busy putting away jars of paint. He liked keeping things organized.

Lucy walked in. She wanted a box on the top shelf, but she was too short to reach it. She stood on a step stool and stretched her arms as high as she could.

"Can you help me?" she asked.

Marcus walked over. He held the stool steady so she wouldn’t fall. For a second, their hands touched on the box. Both of them felt a little spark, but they didn’t say anything about it.

"Thanks," Lucy said after she stepped down. "So, whose idea was this paint-your-own-pot thing?"

"It was Danny's idea," Marcus said.

Lucy laughed. "Danny? Really? That’s hard to believe."

Marcus smiled. "I know, it is shocking."

Lucy looked at the box. "Well, it’s a good idea. I have a lot of plants at home that are almost dead. I need the practice."

Marcus looked at her, surprised. "You have plants?"

"I'm trying to grow them," Lucy said. "I’m not very good at it, but I’m trying."

Marcus looked at her differently now. "I didn’t know that about you."

Lucy looked right at him. Vg "There is a lot you don't know about me, Marcus."

Marcus felt his heart beat a little faster. "Yeah, I’m starting to see that."

Lucy changed the subject. "Where is Julian? He said he would help today."

Marcus stopped smiling. "He didn't show up."

"That's weird," Lucy said. "He seemed so excited yesterday."

Marcus just shrugged. "I guess he didn't care that much."

They kept working in silence. It felt comfortable.

"You don't talk much, do you?" Lucy asked.

"Not really," Marcus said.

"I actually like that," Lucy said. "People talk too much. It’s too loud."

Marcus gave her a small smile. "I can be loud. I just don't think it's worth it most of the time."

Lucy laughed quietly. "Good to know."

### LOCATION: THE SCHOOL COURTYARD (LATER THAT DAY)

Outside in the school courtyard, Julian sat on a bench all by himself. He was looking at his phone. He read a text message, and his face got tight and angry. He put the phone face-down on the bench and took a deep breath to calm down.

Then, a girl named Mia walked up. "Hey, Julian. Are you okay? You look like you're in another world."

Julian quickly changed his face. He put on his normal, friendly smile. "Hey, Mia. Yeah, I’m good. Just tired. It's a new school, you know?"

"That must be hard," Mia said.

"It's fine," Julian said. "I'm good at starting over."

He glanced at his phone sitting on the bench, but he didn't pick it up. He just kept acting like everything was perfect.

### LOCATION: MARCUS'S BEDROOM (THAT NIGHT)

Back at his house, Marcus lay in his bed. He sent a text to his friend Danny.

*Marcus: She gardens. Her plants are dying. She told me today.*

*Danny: Bro, that’s not just information. That’s a vibe.*

*Marcus: Julian didn't show up today.*

*Danny: Interesting.*

*Marcus: It’s not a big deal.*