As fun as lunch was, Evan had to check if his jaw was still attached from talking so much. So many faces, so many people. He forgot how expansive this high school was –it was almost as if Evan and Jade belonged to three different friend groups.

But as soon as the time came, it bled away. Evan waved goodbye to Jade at the end of lunch before disappearing down the Art Wing, on his way to fifth period.

2-D art was next. He had not drawn anything in a while, so he was sure his art skills had declined. Either way, he was happy to be greeted by the murals of people down the hallway, and the multitude of colors waving to him as he passed.

Evan reentered the art room of wild colors, finding his seat in the front row occupied with one person.

Matt, in a pink sweater and teal jeans, smiled, rising to hug him.

“You really sent a lot of texts…” Evan whispered as Matt pulled away.

“I freaked out, man.” Matt placed his hands on Evan’s shoulders. “I really thought you were a goner, until Jade told me what happened.”

Evan smiled apologetically, not sure what words to say. Explaining insanity doesn’t work, since people never can understand a mind of despair until you reach it. He mumbled an apology, hoping that was enough. Matt smiled understandingly, leading him to his seat.

Evan fought with himself a bit, not sure if he should tell Matt or not of his dream in this room. Matt was the most artistic of his friends, and the one who would be the most entertained by the story.

Either way, class began, and the teacher welcomed Evan back with warm words. His teacher gave him a simple worksheet to draw on, since it was his first say back. They didn’t want to ‘overwork him’.

“You should just draw dicks all over it.” Matt whispered.

“Please, no. I don’t want to burn our teacher’s eyes out on the first day.” Matt laughed.

Evan began doodling, absentmindedly. “But I do have an idea that I want you to try and draw, since you’re way better at art.”

Matt raised an eyebrow, turning his paper so it was horizontal rather than vertical.

“I had a dream in the hospital of this girl –”

“Ew.”

Evan poked his side. “Listen! It’s not gross.” Matt waved him on.

“In this same room, we were sitting in the dream. Minding our own business. But then, there was a girl was on top of this table, standing and crying in a bright blue dress. And then she fell back, screaming like wild! Her entire face, her entire body, her dress –everything really –melted into an array of colors!”

Matt’s interest was piqued. “Pretty wild dream, Evan. You sure they didn’t slip something into your drink before you slept?”

Evan gave him an exasperated look. Matt smiled. “I’m kidding, I’m kidding. But seriously, can I use that idea for my next painting?”

“Sure.”

So instead of drawing on his paper, Matt requested a small canvas. The teacher pulled one out of the closet and set it on a mini-easel on the table.

Matt took three shades of paint and a brush.

“You only need three colors?”

Matt shrugged. “It’s only an under painting. Y’know, to get the main idea down.”

And Matt painted. He worked fast, much faster than Evan expected, until by the time cleanup was announced Matt had a full under painting down.

Evan stood in front of it.

He knew Matt could do it. It was just the basic idea, a sketch really, but even then, he could see the ruffles of the girl's dress forming, of her limbs as they fell back, of her screaming face, as if his own dream had paused right in the middle of her pain as she off the table. He gave Matt a thumbs up as he left the class.

Matt waved to him, paint on his hands. “See you after school!”