CROSSED PATHS

at least, she was learning how to survive it. Jenna had become her anc

lly confused Sophie. One moment he was casually teasing her, the next he was g

hursday, she wasn't thinking about Ryan. She was more focus

, and jars of brushes sat neatly on each table. Sophie had taken art as

w project. You'll be working in pairs to create something that represents connection. It could be a painting, a scul

y. She didn't know anyone in t

've already assigned the

f. At least she wouldn't have to awk

ing out names, and So

ler and...

convinced she'd misheard. But no, Ms.

oked up to see Ryan making his way toward her.

re partner

think of anything to say. She glanced at Jenna,

ded, setting his no

er throat. "You'

I'm not just a soccer guy,

was joking or serious, bu

-

red with Ryan wore off, Sop

against the table. "What should we d

omething with nature? Like how everyt

something about people. Like relatio

but working on something about rela

suggested. "Like, people and natu

"I like that.

e Sophie's initial nervousness, working with Ryan turned out to be easier than she expec

a large canvas divided into two halves, one representing nature and the other representing

a be awesome," Ryan s

ker of excitement. "Yeah. It

on, New York. Give y

-

phie found herself looking forward to their time together. He had a way of making her feel at

at Meadow Creek High st

e students glanced at her when she passed, their eyes full of curio

tray. "Apparently, you and Ryan C

owned. "W

much time together. People are starting t

's nothing going on. We're jus

word. "But you know how people are. A

mber even care? She and Rya

" Jenna said. "You should watch your back

ng with her," So

yebrow but didn't

-

rk on the project. Ryan had soccer practice, so she decided to

nal scratch of her paintbrush. Sophie found the process soothing. She was

at's rea

ned to see Amber standing in the doorway, her arm

" Sophie sai

s scanning the canvas. "You'r

unsure where

. "So, you're working w

as partners," Sophie said, t

ying to do, but Ryan's not the kind of guy you can just... w

d by Amber's bluntness

aid, cutting her off. "Jus

ed and walked out of the room, leaving

rt pounding. She hadn't done anything

-

ion in her mind as she worked on her homewo

g her from her thoughts.

ing coming along

tated befor

the background. You can w

ater, another t

getting started.

and confusion. She liked working with Ryan-maybe too much. But

She needed to focus on herself and no

said th