Chapter Eighteen
The Art Gallery
The day of the field trip, a
week after Dance Fangdango was the day I committed my second major social crime.
Our combined art and film class were all
there, which is why Ethan was along for the ride, literally.
The gallery was kind of
amazing, set in the grounds of some Beverly Hills director’s lush home. There
was a park adjacent to the museum complete with water fountains and lakes. Instead
of having individual lunches, I’d convinced Ms Dash to get some catering going
and we could all have a food happening (i.e. picnic) like in the old days and
take photos. It would be a good excuse for everyone to talk and discuss what
they saw in the gallery, I argued. Ms Dash took some convincing. She’s not a
natural socializer.
Of course, most students would
be more interested in discussing their social lives than the lives of ancient
movie stars immortalized forever on film and in art archives, but Ms Dash didn’t
need to know that.
It would also be a good chance
for Hilary and Rafe to talk and possibly sort things out, although I was
wondering if that was a good idea. I’d noticed neither of them even looked at
each other as we got on the school bus. They sat separately too, and although Hilary
remained loyal to me, I had to ask myself why. The dance hadn’t been anything
like I’d expected it to be although most of the students and teachers labeled
it a resounding success.
But I’d moved on.
Ms Dash and Mr Henry were
chatting on the bus. My ‘teacher love match’ project was coming to fruition.
At midday, after we’d finished
the morning tour, (complete with interactive film on the history of rom-coms
and spaghetti westerns), the entire group went outside.
At lunch, Rafe and Ethan were
sitting opposite us, discussing an article they’d read about a new computer
game. I thought, in the interests of socialization, Hilly and I would try to
join in. Hilly smiled sweetly and so did Rafe but I noticed they didn’t talk as
they munched on the delicious sandwiches and fruit salad I’d organized.
Students were lolling about on the manicured ground and the whole midday scene
resembled one from the cafeteria – just transported to a different place.
Yes, you guessed it, peeps were
becoming a bit cliquey.
I noticed Ms Dash glance
lovingly over at Mr Henry. He was silent but gave her a slight smile. Mr Henry then
got up and wandered off to nowhere. Even though I encouraged Ms Dash to change
her glasses over to contacts, wear shorter skirts and paint her nails, I noticed
she really hadn’t taken my advice. Her man was in danger of straying…
I was lolling on the steps
after finishing my orange, when the conversation around me was obviously
lagging in general. Princesses looked bored and Ms Dash suggested we pack up to
go back to school early.
Hester groaned and so did Flynn
– they both liked any excuse to stay out of ‘structured environments’ which is
why I would have thought Ms Dash’s art class would have been perfect for them.
So, to avoid imminent transportation, Flynn was all like, “Ms Dash, you should
wait until we’ve finished our game of truth or dare – c’mon Ms Dash , we’d love
it if you played too, we need an extra person.”
Jessica got to ask the first questions.
“Truth,” Flynn said, like his
words were of national importance.
“Let’s see… what’s the stupidest
thing you’ve ever done?” Jessica giggled.
“Mmm… Let’s see; Oh not dancing
with Hilary and Honey at Dance Fangdango – I still regret it.”
Hilary looked like she
believed him. It was so obvious he wasn’t sincere. Hilary looked at the picnic
blanket and I blushed. It was Flynn’s turn.
“I was thinking about asking
Honey something but she’s not really talking to me so… Ms Dash, please name the
silliest thing you’ve ever done… there must be something…”
Ms Dash colored up as well. She wasn’t used to
being included in student games.
Flynn looked at me and I turned the
conversation back to Ms Dash.
I suppose all adults have regrets – some more
than others in the case of Ms Dash who has clearly been let down by love if the
ripped hem of her skirt and lopsided reading glasses were anything to go by –
but I really should have learned to keep my mouth shut after the previous
weekend.
Instead, I opened it to deflect
comment and said, “Oh, but Ms Dash will be limited as to the amount since the game requires only one
stupid thing…”
I looked around expecting
laughter to greet me but no one was smiling, except Flynn.
In retrospect, Flynn’s smile
was more like a smirk, even he knew I’d made a huge social gaffe that went
beyond being marked low on my next assignment. Plus, I knew, even though the
downcast and humiliated look on Ms Dash’s face told me I’d been mean, that Ms
Dash would never let her personal feelings interfere with her work.
The look on my teacher’s face spelt utter
humiliation.
Ms Dash looked so upset. As
she stood up she announced, “yes, Honey, I suppose you are right. All these
years I’ve spent helping other people’s children when I could have been raising
a family of my own, I really must seem like quite a… foolish woman.”
Ms Dash stumbled over the last
words and I realized of all the lame-o things I’d done recently, from my stupid
matchmaking blog to the re-education of Ethan Knightly, this was clearly the stupidest.
But not only was it stupid, my comment was mean. I was suddenly the meanest
girl in the school. One of the groups had
even filmed what I said.
Ethan took the lead and stood up. He looked
really cute in the mid-afternoon sun.
“Ms Dash,” he said, changing
the subject, “I’m completely over this childish game. I’d much rather talk to
you about that lesson you gave on Picasso before he went weird – could I walk
with you back to the bus? Your comments are so insightful.”
Ms Dash smiled gratefully as
Ethan moved over to her side of the circle and walked back to the bus with her.
Everyone else in the party was
silent until Rafe Martin said, “Well, I’m going to go back now too. This game
sucks. I’m over it.”
Even Hilly got up, looked at me
regretfully and said, ‘Um… I think I’ll go too.’
Flynn was left smirking by my
side when he returned to gather his notes.
“Wow, good one Honey. You
sounded like a real nasty piece of work. Good to see you becoming the woman you
were meant to be.”
“Thanks very much,” I said, “you
can talk.”
“Too true, Honey, but I think
you’ll find society by and large far more tolerant of the inadequacies of males
than females. I don’t know why; it’s just the way the world is.”
Honestly, he was acting so
superior. Flynn was way more interested in seeing me brought down a peg than
giving me good advice.
I got up, just as Ethan was
stomping back up the hill.
“I forgot my cell. C’mon, Honey,
everyone is leaving.”
At first I thought he had
forgiven me but the scowl on his face said he hadn’t.
As we walked back to the bus he
started talking and wouldn’t stop. “I’m really ashamed to be your friend right
now, Honey. That teacher has been your mentor since you were in grade school.
She’s always talking to my cousin about how she loves teaching us and how much
it means to her. You are so… so privileged and full of yourself you should set
a good example, not a bad one.”
Ethan turned away from me and I
never felt more alone in my life. Honestly, it was like I was Eponine on stage
before she sings On my Own; I was that alone.
