Chapter 7 7

My stomach fell to the floor. Did he just embarrass me in front of Hilda Norton?

Oh no he didn't.

"No need, Professor Hilda. I behave in the lessons that I actually enjoy." I retorted, trying to hide my grin.

My professors exchanged looks.

"Well, I'll pack up then." Said Professor Hilda, making her way to her desk, choosing to not comment on the conversation. When I thought that the coast was clear and I could continue with my work in peace, Dr Woodley approached me. He didn't say anything, just stood over my shoulder, looking at my drawings.

"What's that supposed to be, a tree?" He spat. I covered my papers with my elbows, trying not to look at him. The scent of his cologne surrounded me. I could tell he was pretty close now.

"What do you know about Art, Professor Woodley? You teach Art History. One thing is to teach about what other artists have done, another is to actually do it yourself."

I thought I heard a small, high-pitched squeal coming from Professor Hilda from the other side of the room, but I chose to ignore it. I probably imagined it.

He clicked his tongue like he did when he knew he was losing the argument at the end of the first Art History class.

"You should probably stick to drawing desks, Miss Lotus." He said moving away.

"Who says I haven't already?" I asked, defiant. Professor Woodley then turned to Hilda Norton, ignoring my comment. He said his goodbyes and see-you-tomorrow's, not giving our conversation any attention.

"What did you say again?" He asked once the art teacher left the studio.

I hesitated. Why were we having this conversation anyway? He was just putting me on edge. I just wanted a quiet, uneventful afternoon so I could focus on my work.

When I realized he wasn't letting the conversation go, I reluctantly replied.

"I said, who says I haven't already?"

He furrowed his eyebrows, the veins of his neck popping slightly. "You actually did it?"

I licked my lips and cleared my throat. "Yeah. Why are you so surprised, Professor? It was good practice."

He was silent for a few moments, deep in thought. My stomach turned into knots as silence fell between us. What the hell was happening to me?

"I want to see it," he said at last, breaking the silence. I looked away from his intense gaze, my eyes settling in his thick, veiny hands. It was then that I knew that once I got home, I'd spend the whole night trying to draw them from memory.

"Why?" I asked, embarrassment growing in my cheeks.

"I want to see your style, your technique." He said, coughing at the end and taking a step back from my desk. "I am always interested in my student's work, especially if the assignment was given by me."

I nodded, giving him a closed lipped smile. "I left it at home, but I can go get it in a flash. Besides, I should take a walk, stretch my legs."

"You live close by?" He asked, nonchalantly. I realized this was the first time we were speaking to each other in a normal way, not attacking each other or being sarcastic.

It made me extremely nervous.

"Yeah, just a 20-minute walk." I answered vaguely. I didn't want my professor to know where I lived.

He checked the time on his watch.

"Well Miss Lotus, if you aren't in fact messing with me and you have indeed made this painting, I'll be grading papers in my office until a quarter to eight."

I nodded, not saying anything. A weird feeling came over me, a feeling in the pit of my stomach that said that I shouldn't go, that I should just make an excuse and go home.

With that exchange, Dr Woodley left the studio, leaving me all alone with my thoughts.

I decided to stay a little longer and focus on my work. I had to calm down and get Dr Woodley off my mind before I even thought of getting the painting and showing it to him.

I explored the materials available to us students. We could use them freely, but consciously, of course. I wouldn't dream of using Princeton's art supplies for my own personal art.

The storage rooms and lockers contained every type of paint, infinite brushes, palettes, painting and drawing surfaces (special types of paper and canvases), charcoal, crayons, tempera... It was quite overwhelming to say the least, but incredibly exciting. They also had massive cardboard cutouts, metals, plaster, styrofoam, wood, clay, glass, and stone. I was literally in art heaven.

I jotted down some ideas before packing up. I still wanted to have a quick meal before coming back and showing my painting to Professor Woodley.