I try to not feel on edge as Mrs. Baker announces our semester project. Art is typically an easy grade, but I haven't been paying attention in most of my classes so I should at least try now.

"As this being Art 4 and a class full of seniors, I have decided your final project will be a self portrait. Now I'm sure many of you are assuming to be a self portrait it has to be of you, but the goal for this assignment is to create a piece of art that expresses who you are. I want it to say something about you, and how you decide to do that is up to you. Throughout this semester we will be practicing different mediums, and you will be able to choose your own for the portrait. As usual this will count for the majority of your grade, so make sure you do not try to throw something together last minute." With that she glances back at our table, so we put on our most innocent expressions. 

Besides Jade, the rest of us are prone to procrastination. I have a tendency to be unsure about my work, which in turn makes me keep overnanalyzing it and get stuck. Then I have to make a last ditch effort right before it's due, but no matter what I'm never satisfied. This project will be no different surely, and the idea that it's supposed to say something about me or "express" myself is slightly terrifying. I have nothing to say or express, and now am wishing we were still working on those damn landscapes from last semester. 

"I have papers to be passed out that have all the requirements for the assignment! You can look over them and then we can discuss it all together in case there are any questions!" Mrs. Baker claps her hands and grabs a stack of papers off her desk, and in the process narrowly avoids knocking over Bob, the often abused drawing figure who has felt the cold school tile too many times. It's a wonder he has any limbs remaining, Poor Bob.

"Olivia! Would you like to hand out the papers?" She asks kindly as she tries to organize the haphazardly stacked mess in her hands.
"Surprising we have a new kid. Isn't it weird to transfer your senior year?" Emma  tries to whisper to us, but her only volumes are loud and louder.
"People move for all kinds of reasons," Lucas says with a shrug, texting on his phone and not paying much attention.
"She's in my history class, but didn't talk to anyone. I love her boots though!" Jade says leaning in. I decide to not contribute to this conversation, and focus my attention on the girl slowly making her way from table to table. I am also wondering why she has moved here, it must suck to have to start at a new school when you are almost graduating. I would be so pissed. 

Olivia finally makes it back to our table and I pretend my fingernails are the most interesting thing I have seen all day. Of course, what should be a quick exchange results in Jade opening her big mouth.
"Hi! You were in Mr. Jacobs' class! It's nice to meet you, I'm Jade! This is Lucas, Emma and Beck," She gestures to us during her introductions. "I hope you aren't finding this place too awful."
At that Olivia shrugs and offers a small smile. "It's okay so far, nice to meet all off you." She nods at the three of them, but doesn't look at me. For some reason I feel like I'm being shunned. Ugh, way too paranoid Beck. Chill.

"Oh, don't be fooled. It's a terrible place, but at least we are almost done." Emma adds in. "It's your first day, just wait."
"Well that's definitely reassuring. I have already met some interesting people for sure," Olivia says. Her tone makes it sound like by interesting she means the opposite. I glance up at her, but she doesn't look at me. She passes out the papers, handing everyone's to them until she gets to mine, which she just places on the table. Um, okay then.

"Well it was nice talking to you. See you in history." She nods at Jade, and does a small wave at Emma and Lucas before heading back to her seat. She didn't look at me once. What the hell?