Chapter 35: A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

Serenah restlessly sat in her fifth period class worrying about what her twin might do. Despite her resolve not to let the lunch incident affect her, she couldn't shake the feeling that something bad was going to happen.

She could feel Alastar's worried gaze. She wanted to reassure him, but she couldn't do it convincingly and chose to say nothing. Her brooding was interrupted by the art teacher, Ms. Dale, clapping her hands after finishing her speech about class expectations.

"Now, that the boring stuff is over. Let's discuss the fun stuff."

There was a ripple of surprise from the students. Serenah focused on the petite teacher at the front of the room.

"In this class, we will study classic art as well as unconventional art. We will delve into how the creation of art has changed throughout history. This includes how technology has influenced it as well. And," she paused dramatically before continuing, "we will do group assignments, self-portraits, paired portraits, and much more."

Ms. Dale smiled, excitement brimming from her. Serenah was impressed by this teacher and was looking forward to this class.

"Now, class, I will allow you some freedom. Today, I am going to let you create groups with a minimum number of four people. The groups can't be larger than five people. I will hand you a group form once you have created your groups."

Serenah glanced around the room. All of Romeo's friends were in this class with them. She shyly cast her gaze in Romeo's direction and saw him frown. Had she done something wrong?

Romeo and his friends got up and walked over to her and Alastar. Romeo snagged an empty chair and sat next to her desk.

"Sera, do you trust me to pair you and Al up in the correct groups?"

She nodded and saw Alastar do the same.

Romeo grinned. "That settles it."

Sera was surprised when Romeo's friends groaned.

"What?" she asked, confused by their response to his words.

"You've done it now," grumbled Liz.

"What did I do?" Serenah felt panic building in her chest. Had she already messed up on her first day at school? If she brought dishonor to the family name, her father would show her no mercy.

"You put him in charge, that's what," laughed Penelope.

"Oh," Sera replied quietly, her fear subsiding at Penelope's words.

"Alright. Al, Sera, Liz, Penelope, and I are one group. The rest of you get to hang together," Romeo told them with a grin, ignoring their groans of dissent.

"What the hell?" complained Drake.

"Fine, whatever," George replied with a shrug.

Danny, Griff, and Karl didn't say anything. Ms. Dale walked over to them and handed them two sheets. Romeo quickly filled them out and took them to her desk.

"Thank you for swiftly choosing your groups. I have randomly created your first pairing for today's assignment. When I call your names, one person from the pair needs to come up and get this paper. Here we go." She held her tablet in her hand and started reading off names.

Serenah was startled when she heard her name and then Romeo's. She turned to him, and he gave her a thumbs-up before going to get their paper. She watched as Alastar was paired with Penelope. He didn't seem to be upset by it, and she was glad.

"Please gather your things and let's go outside."

Once they were outside, Ms. Dale pointed to the area surrounding the school. "Pick a spot and use your phones to take pictures. Keep them school-appropriate," she added when one of the boys from the class made a crude comment.

Serenah nervously fidgeted next to Romeo. She didn't say anything. She was afraid of doing the wrong thing.

"Sera, let's go to that tree over there."

"Okay." Obediently, she followed. The tree looked old, and she touched it with her fingers. She felt a tug on her healing powers. She bit her lip, letting the power flow from her into the tree. If it needed her help, who was she to begrudge it?

"First, before pictures, let's exchange numbers."

"That's fine." She knew how to do that much, at least with her phone. She silently thanked Lael and Alastar for teaching her about this world's technological trends.

She took out her phone and quickly entered the number he rattled off. She sent a text, and Romeo showed his screen. He saved her number, a huge smile on his face.

Serenah wasn't sure why he seemed so happy to have her number. Didn't people exchange numbers all the time in this world? She would ask Alastar what it meant for a person to be excited over a phone number.

"Sera?"

"Oh, sorry!" She blushed. "I was lost in thought."

"It's okay. I do that sometimes." He pointed to the tree. "How about leaning against it and looking off into the distance? I think that will make an awesome picture."

She took her place, leaning her back against the tree. She turned that so she was in profile and tilted her head to gaze off into the distance. Beneath her skin, her power hummed as did the tree's gratitude for saving its life with her healing energy.

You're welcome, she thought to it, happy to have helped a life.

"Sera?"

She turned and smiled at Romeo. "Yes?"

"Um, nothing," he replied and cleared his throat. "Oh, we need to go. The bell's about to ring for the next class."

"Alright." She patted the tree one last time before following Romeo back inside with the rest of their classmates.