Part 1: Cooper

“Could everyone sit down please?” asked the supply teacher over the hubbub of noise. Our regular teacher seemed to be absent so, naturally, no one was in the correct seat. Nick and I were sitting at the back in the corner, the seats next to us occupied by Sara and Jasmine.

“I’m going to bring round a sketching sheet that you are to complete this lesson. Those who don’t finish will finish it for homework. Clear?” the teacher looked timidly frustrated. True to her word, she walked round the room and handed out the sheets, which were titled, How to draw in Two point perspective!

“This looks boring.” said Nick, his eyes scanning over the instructions. “But-”

“I’m sure Peggy could do it easily.” Sara, Jasmine and I said in unison.

“Face it Nick, you're helpless, look into her eyes and the sky’s the limit, you're helpless!” Jasmine sang, surprisingly well.

“No more Hamilton!” I laughed. “I get enough of that from Justin.” We all collectively laughed, but that soon faded into silence.

We remained silent until Sara claimed: “Well, this is super awkward.”

I nodded, and Jasmine turned her head to my shambolic, crumpled piece of paper.

“You’re doing it all wrong.” Jasmine told me.

“Oh wow, thanks for insulting my masterpiece.” I replied sarcastically.

“It’s not a masterpiece, it’s a hodgepodge.” she retaliated, snatching the paper out of my hands. I protested, but she continued to point out all my mistakes: I guess hating people does that, you just have no shame. I snapped out of my thoughts as Jasmine slapped my hand.

“What was that for?” I shouted, but the teacher didn’t turn my way.

“Your hand is on the rubber.” she explained, looking at me like a five year old who was screaming about a tiny spider in their room.

She coached me through how to draw in two point perspective, and I actually paid attention. She was patient, and supportive, nothing like my other teachers.

“Done!” Jasmine smiled, twenty minutes later. We both looked at the picture like two proud parents- no, two married- NO, just, two students who had finished a project.

“It looks awesome. Thanks,” I muttered.

“Well, you two have been getting along swell,” Sara interrupted, passing Jasmine her bag. “But we must go and suffer in form now.”

Her and Jasmine stood up and walked off in the direction of the door. Nick dropped my bag onto my lap, and I packed up my things and we followed Jasmine and Sara to our form room. I turned to Nick, who was lost in thought.

“What is it?” I asked.

“I’m not sure.” he replied, still half-absent from the conversation. “I’ll ask Peggy.”

“Of course you will,” I replied, nudging him playfully as we entered the doors of the languages block.