Rivals

Chapter 4: Sinclair

"You frustrate me incredibly ." - E.E.

Valerie

The brush in my hand has moved without any breaks up until now. I halt my brush to examine the canvas in front of me. A landscape full of mountains and flowers. A hand rests on my shoulder and I look up to see who the flesh belongs to. It's Ms. East, "It's so beautiful. Everything about it is....how long have you been doing art?" She asks.

"As long as I can remember." I reply. She smiles, "So what's the inspiration behind this painting?" I shift my gaze back to my canvas, "My mother." I say quietly. "I'm sure she'll love it when you show her." Ms. East says with enthusiasm. I stay silent as I dip my brush in the water cup on a tray beside me. She watches my every move before she finally takes her hand hand off my shoulder and moves along. I use my free hand to grab a napkin, wiping the brush with it. I make sure the brush is as clean as possible. I'm sure mother would have loved it too.

The bell rings and I slowly get up from the stool I've been sitting on. "Class you may leave your paintings as it is...Valerie please stay behind." Ms. East announces as my peers start packing up. I grab my bag, swinging it over my shoulders. I wait until every student is out the door before walking up to her and she speaks, "Valerie there's this art competition around the corner. Well it's a grand series of art competitions called the Stella series. Student artists participate all over the country to win it. The prizes and rewards are very handsome. All students are welcomed to participate. After ten students pass through these competitions they continue on to compete in the Grand Stella finals. Of course there can only be one winner and I believe with you our school has a winning chance this year. What I'm trying to say is you should consider entering this competition."

I'm not interested in such things. However, I don't say such words out loud but I assume she can tell because before I can decline she pleads, "You don't have to answer right now. Just think about it, please." I stay silent observing the way she's holding her breath in. She's nervous. Nervous to how I'll reply. "I'll think about it, have a good day ma'am." She finally exhales and smiles, "Thank you." I only nod at her gratitude before walking out the door.

Students stare at me as I walk through the halls. I am uncomfortable but I don't dare show my discomfort. My thumb plays with my ring on the same hand as I walk towards the elevator, I notice how crowded the room was and the shameless stares from the students within. I decide to take the long stairs instead.

I walk down the stairs taking in the view out from the window. The school really was beautiful. Although the stairs are quite long, I have no complaints. How could I when I get to experience this magnificent scenery. Keeping my legs active was another bonus.

Once I reach the first floor I walk towards the exit only to be interrupted by the headmistress. Headmistress Anderson smiles. Why is everyone smiling today, there is nothing happy about today. Am I unaware of any special occasions? "Valerie, how was the tour with Adriana?" Ah...Sinclair was not quite throughly with our tour. She was far too desperate to return to her classes. However, she did explain the basic information I needed and the headmistress wasn't exactly explicit with her assignment so what Sinclair did was fair game. I can only applaud her ways. "The tour was good." I reply. Headmistress Anderson clasps her hands together, "I'm glad to hear it went well. So dear, what are you doing after school? There's many clubs and sports around or are you just planning to go straight home?" I glance up at the clock on the wall behind her before returning my gaze to her, "Tennis." She claps her hands, "Excellent choice, I'm sure you'll fit just right in." I won't, but I give her a nod before returning back towards my quest to the exit doors.

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The tennis girls are stretching. I walk through the gates into the courts. The girl's eyes follow me. A Middle Aged woman wearing a cap over her brunette shoulder length hair and black shorts walk over to me with a clipboard. It must be the tennis coach. "Hi, I'm coach Hannah and you must be the new girl everyone's talking about, huh?" She says.