Home » The Archives » Chapter 13 » Cold Front
| Re: Cold Front [message #832 is a reply to message #831] |
Wed, 25 July 2012 17:10   |
artisticrainey
Messages: 1228
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northern Ireland
Karma:
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Field Commander
Switzerland |
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Thursday, November 8, Christchurch, NZ.
Cherie wasn't even sure that she wanted to go to art class after the previous week's events. But Virgil had gently suggested that she shouldn't give up -- and Scott had reminded her that, as Tracys, they never gave up! Her mother had hugged her tightly and kissed her on the forehead, then offered to be her pilot. On the way to Christchurch, Cherie had eyed Anna and wondered if she should bring the situation up to the counselor. She decided to see how things went and then she'd talk to Anna.
Airini was waiting, as usual, when Dianne dropped her off. As usual, she preceded Cherie into the building and into the classroom. Anneliese glanced up when Cherie walked in, then went back to setting up her drawing board. Cherie wasn't sure if she should say anything, but figured she should be at least a little bit friendly, so she murmured a quiet, "Hi," to Anneliese.
The other girl glanced her way, not really looking at her, and replied, "Hello."
Fortunately, Mr. Jernigan had them busy that night, working with mixing paints to match small swatches that he had passed out. Cherie, who had already done some of this work with Virgil, found it easy, except for the pale green, which she couldn't seem to blend quite to her liking. The teacher came around to give advice, and suggested a touch more yellow. "Just a drop or two should do it," he said.
Cherie nodded, and did as the teacher had told her. It got the color closer to the swatch, and one more drop made the match near-perfect.
Mr. Jernigan smiled. "Nicely done, Cherie. You have a good eye for color."
Cherie blushed slightly, and smiled back. "Thank you."
"Mr. Jernigan?" Aroha raised her hand, waving it a little. "Am I doing this right?"
"Let me see."
The teacher moved away, and Jen, who sat on the other side of Cherie from Anneliese, said in a quiet, sing-song, sarcastic voice, "'You have a good eye for color, Cherie.' 'You draw divinely, Cherie.' Crikey dick! Must be nice to have a da who'll pay the teacher to spew that load of codswollop to you, eh?"
Cherie's jaw clenched; she swallowed hard, but kept her eyes on her work. Anneliese glanced at her, and at Jen, then went back to what she was doing.
When class was over, Cherie packed up her things in silence. Jen was busy chattering to the girl on the other side of her, talking loudly about going on to the ice cream shop after class. "You coming, Liese?" she asked.
"Wasn't planning on it. Mum wants me home early tonight." Anneliese didn't look at Jen, but put her supplies away quickly.
"Tim? Aroha? Manjari? Coming for ice cream?" Jen called to the others in the group.
Manjari exchanged glances with Aroha, and shrugged. "Not me; I'm knackered," Manjari said.
"I'm coming." Tim's declaration was firm. He glanced over at Cherie, and gave her a sharp nod, which confused her.
"I guess I will, too," Aroha said, slinging her art bag over her shoulder.
"I'm sure Cherie doesn't want to come." Jen turned to Cherie with a sickeningly sweet smile and a faux-cultured accent. "She wouldn't want us bludging off her." Her smiled widened and she strutted from the room as if she were a stereotypical society grande dame, waving her hand just so. "Cheerio, dahlings!" Her neighbor, who was walking with her, giggled at her antics. Aroha hurried to catch up with the pair, while Manjari rolled her eyes and followed at a more leisurely pace. Tim stopped to speak with Anneliese, murmuring in her ear. He glanced at Cherie, gave her another brisk nod, then caught up with Manjari.
"He'll rark her up if she gets snarky, or goes off whinging about you." Anneliese still avoided Cherie's gaze.
"Thanks." Cherie pulled her bag over her shoulder.
"And... I..." Anneliese glanced up at Cherie, a troubled look on her face. Then she shook her head. "Never mind. See you next week."
"Right."
Airini was waiting outside the classroom door for her, and fell into step with her as they headed out to the parking lot. The body guard went first, and checked the parking lot. Dianne, who had been sitting in the car with Chase Rivers's new book, spotted her, and pulled out of her spot to meet both young women near the door. Airini didn't leave until her charge was safely inside the car with the door locked.
"So," Dianne asked, a few minutes after they pulled out into traffic. "How did things go?"
The girl sighed heavily, and shook her head.
"That bad, huh?" Dianne said, her voice sympathetic.
"Yeah," Cherie said with another heavy sigh.
  
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