Page 65 of Absorbed

Once Stacey was by her side, Ms. Moreno continued. “We can tell if they’re happy or exhausted. The wrinkles reveal if they’re old, or we know they’re really young because of how wide and bright the eyes are.” She lifted up a pair of round blue eyes that were above the tops of chubby cheeks, with a few short lashes, and set it beside the image she had been working on. The single eye was surrounded by a web of fine lines, the dark lid heavy.

“So, yeah, that’s a baby and that’s someone who’s old. But those are details about a person. You said an eye can tell a whole story.”

“Yeah, the eye is the main character. The way they’re looking out of it tells a lot about how they feel. Their perspective. The rest of the story is visible in what the eye is looking at, in the reflection of the light on the pupil.” Ms. Moreno pointed to the reflection on her full-page eye. Stacey got closer. There was water gathered in the bottom of the eye, like the person was sad, but trying not to cry. In the reflection on the pupil there was a clear image of an old, large knuckled hand being held by a small child’s hand.

“Wow! That’s amazing.”

“Thank you. I’ve been working on it the past couple weeks. Trying to get it right.”

“Do you have a reference photo or something?” Stacey studied the details more closely.

Ms. Moreno shook her head. “Only memory.”

Stacey set the pad down. “This is someone you know?”

“Was.” She picked up the sketch. “My grandma. She raised me until I was seven. When she died.”

“I’m so sorry.” Stacey bit her lip.

“It’s okay.” Ms. Moreno sighed. “It was a long time ago. I want my project to be a tribute to her. How much she did for me.”

“It’s really beautiful. I’m sure she would have loved it.”

Ms. Moreno set the sketch down and looked at the collection of eyes staring back. “Fun fact: the human eye is 98% water. That’s why it reflects light so well. It’s what gave me the idea for the other project.”

“So our eyes really are pools?” Stacey picked up a pair of eyes that looked kind. Gentle. Tired. Like her mother’s eyes. “And the reflection can show how deeply someone cares.” She set it down again.

Ms. Moreno crossed her arms. “Maybe. It’s also easy to be deceived, when someone refuses to look back.”

Deceived.Stacey glanced away, pretending a sudden interest in the wall of windows. The night disappeared behind the reflection of the bright classroom.

“Or when everything about a person is too bright and shiny,” she mumbled. “Then the darkness reveals the truth.” Her voice was barely above a whisper.

“Stacey, is there something going on?” Ms. Moreno leaned against the table. “Anything you need to talk about?”

Stacey shook her head. She had a sudden urge to get far away.

“Cool project,” Stacey said, crossing the room. “Creepy, but cool.”

“Thanks. D’you want—?”

“I should go.” Stacey grabbed her keys from where she’d left them on the butcher block.

“Okay…” Ms. Moreno’s voice was thick with disappointment. “I’m glad you came. I’m always here, Stacey. Stay safe.”

Stacey maneuvered around the buzzing fan in the doorway, into the dark parking lot. “What a waste,” she mumbled to herself.

Backing out, Stacey avoided the gaze of her own reflection in the rearview mirror.

Chapter Eighteen

Aweek after the Fourth of July, Travis Nielson was throwing a major kegger.

There was at least one party each summer in Mesa Valley that everyone found their way to. This year, everyone was going to Travis Nielson’s.

Travis was one of those rich kids who seemed to pass his classes with a smile. He was on the football team and it was training season. The rumor was his parents left on vacation without him. Travis got along with jocks and skaters alike, maybe because he always had weed on him. His house, in the exclusive Hawk Hill neighborhood, sat on five acres that backed up to the foothills, where a party could go on for days before drawing much attention.

“Come with us, Stacey,” Desiree pleaded as they pulled the covers onto the pool Tuesday after Night Swim. “It’ll be fun. Stay over! Girls’ night!” Desiree’s family also lived in Hawk Hill. Tiffany and Melissa were staying over, too, so no one would have to drive.

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