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After we said goodbye, I crossed the hallway and went into the classroom. The class looked like all the other lab rooms the school had. My fourth period Marine Biology class was an interesting to have. Mr. Rodgers taught us everything there was to know about ocean life. Between sharks to mammals, plankton and seaweed. The labs were loads of fun and so were the field trips when we went to the local beach or even the zoo. Going to the zoo for a senior class sounded crazy when I enrolled, but it's exciting when you like the class.
When I sat down, and everyone else trickled in Rodgers started passing out papers.
“Class, today you're going to watch a National Geographic video on the ocean. Including everything we studied about the marine life in the sea. I want you to fill out these as you watch the video. It shouldn't be too much to handle.” When he was done, he went over to the door and flipped off the lights. Afterwards he pushed the play button on and the DVD started.
While the video played my eyes wondered over the students of the class. I rarely knew anyone in here but only by faces and names. Not someone I could talk to easily.
While I filled out the sheet of questions of ocean zones to types of fish, I saw Mr. Rodgers finishing up his lunch. Everyday he would come in after lunch and finish his food while everyone worked on assignments or labs in the back.
There wasn't anything that stood out about him. To me, he was just your average teacher who taught science. Nothing really distinctive shined out of him.
The video went on showing what life underwater looks like. I thought it interesting and fascinating how the creatures survived off of one another from the food chain. As time went by and the clock ticked away, the DVD eventually ended. Mr. Rodgers went up and stopped the video while someone flipped the lights back on. The majority of the kids either yawned or thought it was too bright because of the lights being back on. I could of cared less.
“Why don't you guys pass the papers up in front and the people in the front of the rows can hand it into me.” As kids scrabbled answers or cheated off their friends, I passed my paper in front of me.
When Rodgers had everything he said, “That's it class. When the bell rings in any second you can leave. Other than that, have a nice holiday and I'll see you after the New Year's.”
A few seconds went by, I grabbed my bag and waited by the door with everyone else. The loud bell rang and the door flew open and everyone dispersed.
As I walked to the end of the hallway, I saw Ollie Hudson at her locker, “Hey, Ollie.” I smiled as I paced up to her.
Her short ash blond hair twirled to the side as her lips formed in a joyful smile, “Hey, Kate. How's it going?” Her voice was small as her body but not squeaky.
“I'm great, but I think we ought to head for class before the bell rings.”
“Okay.” She closed her locker as we walked in silence to our fifth period Painting class.
When we got into the class Mrs. Wilson was setting up our canvases that we would be working on today.
“Hi Mrs. Wilson.” Ollie said cheerfully as we both placed our bags at our desks.
Wilson turned around and smiled back, “Hi, Ollie.” She glanced at me also, “Hi, Kate.”
When everyone entered the classroom, Wilson directed us over to our canvases. “Hi everyone. Today we are going to be painting some sort of Christmas thing. What I mean is, that I want you to paint anything to do with the holiday. It can be from a decorative Christmas tree, to a designed ornament, presents to anything that reminds you of Christmas.” She paused while she thought of something else, “Oh, make sure you can finish it by this afternoon. I want to be able to score it over the break and give you a grade on the painting by the time you guys come back. Well, I think that's all. You maybe begin on you holiday masterpiece.”
As everyone talked about what they would paint, Ollie confronted me, “So what are you planning to do, Kate?”
I placed my finger at my lips thinking of what I would do, “Umm.” Then it finally hit me, “I know!” I grabbed my painting brush and dipped it into some water. Then I picked the watercolors at my station and started painting. As for Ollie, she was into oil pastels as I was into watercolors. But we both loved and had the passion for art.
“Know what?” She asked.
“You'll see.” I didn't turned or even glance in her direction. I just gently brush stroked, going up and down with medium and dark colors. Then I added the light colors, twirling in and out of each pattern.
When I thought of Christmas and the holidays, I thought of the thing I was painting. I loved art, but it wasn't the direction I was going to aim for in life. Ollie was planning to be an artist while I wanted to be a writer. My craft of language and hers of art was just wonderful. We enjoyed it everyday. I always looked forward waking up every morning thinking of what I would write about and paint in my classes at school. And I'm sure Ollie felt the same way.
As I finished up the last piece, I looked it over and called over for Mrs. Wilson.
“Hey, Mrs. Wilson. Could you come over here and look at this for me?”
“Sure. Just hang on for a sec.”
“Okay.”
I saw her flip through a hand full of papers on her desk and then strolled over to me, holding her long colorful skirt in her right hand. Wilson, being an art teacher, was the sort of strange person you'd meet in high school. She always dressed in colorful clothes, even though they didn't match at times. She was a friendly person and laughed at her own jokes. Her black hair was hung low into a small pony-tail and was wearing a rainbow skirt and white tee.
“Wow, Kate. I can see you like this sort of thing for the holidays. Do you do it with your family?” The painting that I had done was a group full of heavy dressed people in scarves, gloves, hats signing Christmas songs.
“We try year after year. But we sing horribly.”
I heard the sound of footsteps and turned to see Ollie transfixed on my piece, “Whoa. This is gorgeous. I'd never knew you liked caroling in the holidays.”
“Yeah. Well, my family tries our best at singing.”
“Oh.” She spoke in a low whisper.
“So what did you paint?”
“Oh, just a Christmas tree with presents.” I slid off my stood and walked over to her canvas.
When I saw her masterpiece, I was amazed on what I saw. “Wow, Ollie. You're good.”
“Huh? Oh, this?”
“Yeah.”
“It was just something that popped in my mind.”
“I loved the way you made the painting seem realistic but not being 3D at all. You point out what every house should have in their family and the fun they have decorating their Christmas tree. So, Ollie. I really like this piece of yours.”
I glanced away from the painting she did with her famous oil pastels and saw her slightly blushing underneath her black rimmed glasses. She had contacts but wore glasses more often.
“Thanks, Kate. It means a lot what you said.”
“Sure, anytime.” I gave a content sigh as I felt peaceful at the moment.
I then peeked at the clock and realized we only had three minutes to clean up.
“Class, it's time to clean up. Leave your artwork at your canvases and I'll pick them up for you.” With everyone rushing to finish their paintings I packed up my school bag and waited for the bell to ring.
“Oh, Kate.”
I slightly turned to my side, “Yes, Ollie?”
“Have a nice Christmas with your family.” Her eyes beamed with delight.
“You too.” As I replied in the same manner.
“Well, I guess I'll see you after break then, class. Have a wonderful break and Happy New Year's.” With those last words of Mrs. Wilson the bell rang.
Everyone went out the doors and Ollie and me went our separate ways.
