Page 72 of The Rat

“It’s childish.”

“I wasn’t an art kind of kid. Andyou said you failed at everything at school, clearly a lie.”

“Everything exceptart.”

“Where you’re like a miniPicasso.”

“When I was drawing, orpainting … orjust creating, it made me feel good, and all of my troubles weregone, just for a little bit.”

Rory swallowed,then gesturedto Ollie’s picture. “You’re really good.”

“Thanks… do you think Teddy will likeit?”

Ollie gestured to the frontoftheclassroom. Sebastian and Teddy were sitting together, lounging intheir seats as Mrs. Mason waited for the room to settle.

“I think he’ll love it.”

“I’m gonna askMrs. Mason ifI can give it to him after class, I hope it’ll make up for themaggots.”

Mrs. Mason cleared her throat, but it had noeffect on the chatter. They only fell silent when one of the guardsyelled at them from the back. Pauly sat a few tables away. Roryignored his stare, and focused on Mrs. Mason.

“Thank you,” she said.“This will be our last day on these pencil sketches.”

“Thank Christ for that.”Rory muttered.

“Have you volunteered toshow your piece to the class?”

Rory’s cheeks flamed. “No.”

“Stand up and show us.”

“No, thanks.”

Ollie snatched his piece of paper andstood up. “Here it is.”

“I hate you,” Rory mumbled.

Mrs. Mason frowned. “And can you explain yourpiece?”

Rory shrugged. “It’s nothing,doodles, a stickman battle.”

Sebastianlaughed from the front, andRory’s face filled with more heat.

“Who’s fighting in thisbattle?”

Rory shrugged. “Two armies Iguess.”

“The good vs thebad?”

“Something likethat.”

“And where do you seeyourself in the piece?”

Rory frowned at Mrs. Mason, then shook hishead. “I don’t understand.”

“Are you in thepicture?”

“No—”

---