11. The chapter in that Christian joins the group

Rose

" As we discussed in the previous lesson, the upper Paleolithic period was a staple period, everything that is known about that culture was reconstructed from objects found in various parts of the world, and it was no different with the first artistic manifestations. The hunter man used to paint on the cave walls much of what he saw in nature. Here, for example, we can see the kind of painting they did, these hands in negative were found in a cave in France " Karen Martinez, our art history teacher was showing each of the slides she had separated for the class, while I tried not to fall asleep " At that time, they used colored powder, which they made from crushed stones and blew with bamboo around their own hands.”

I took a deep breath, tilting my head back, watching the ceiling as my classmates took notes on every detail of that class. I was wearing a tank top, the irritation in the tattooed area and the lack of loose enough clothing had made me choose to wear it that morning.

I took a deep breath, trying to pay attention and not show how much the subject bored me. History was never one of my favorite subjects, but I knew that in the line that I intended to become a professional, it was a necessary topic.

When we finally took our lunch break I felt mentally exhausted.

" Okay, you have two hours rest and then we will start on ancient Egypt," Martinez said bluntly before leaving the room.

I walked past a group of girls, where Susan Ramirez was bragging about the hellish week she was having at the sorority, as if this was a source of great pride.

I rolled my eyes, going to my locker to put away the book and notebook I had used in class, opting to leave my purse as well, putting only my cell phone and credit card in the pocket of the jeans I was wearing.

The dining hall was considerably empty when I arrived, the table we always occupied in the center of the salon was vacant and there was no sign of any other person from my group of friends. A few tables away I could see Jax O'Donnel and a group of athletes gathered and laughing, seeming to tease someone, and on the other side, Christian sitting alone, completely ignoring the teasing from the other table, looking very entertained with something on his cell phone.

" I'm telling you, the guy is a total maniac, he spent some time in reform school, that's why he is always alone. I don't know how he got accepted here," I heard Jax report as I passed the table after getting some chicken tacos and salad for my lunch.

Without any ceremony, I placed my tray in front of Christian, sitting down naturally.

" Do you need anything? " he asked without even looking at me.

" No, I'm fine, thanks for your concern," I returned in an ironic tone, mixing the dressing on my salad.

" My only concern is to find out when you're going to leave me alone," he returned, putting his cell phone on the table to face me.

" That's easy. I'm not going to leave you alone," I replied with a satisfied smile, taking pleasure in seeing him contain a small smile himself.

He went back to eating his breaded chicken wings while I ate one of the tacos, and we were silent for a few minutes until he spoke again.

" You look awful.”

" Wow, you really know how to flatter me!”

" Only the best for you," he winked, making me laugh.

" I've spent the last few hours listening to the art of the Upper Paleolithic and Neolithic periods, so you can't judge me by my appearance," I pointed out.

We went back to eating in silence, and this time it was my turn to make conversation.

" I don't see you here much at lunchtime.”

" I usually eat in the third dining hall, or outside. Today I had to come to the library, so I decided to stay here," he explained.

But before I could make any comment on the subject, Theo sat down beside me looking agitated.

" Rose, I finally found you, I need your help," he stared at me, before giving a brief nod of recognition to Christian who frowned at this addition to his lunch." What's up, man?”

“What happened?”

" He's desperate for a model project that he needs to finish and he doesn't have the artistic skills to do it," Liam explained, sitting down next to Christian, "so he's calling on the best, my little Mary Cassat.”

" What's going on here? " Christian complained.

" I'm not calling on the best, I'm calling on everyone, Davis, tell me you can handle glue and paintbrushes.” He turned to Christian.

Christian shifted his gaze between my friends and me, not seeming to understand what was going on around him.

" Why are you here? " he complained.

" The rules say that you are part of the group now. And by the way, we always sit at that table." Liam explained, taking one of Christian's breaded chicken drumsticks.

I was torn between killing each of them for their indiscretion, or reveling in Davis's astonished expression.

" What? What rules?”

" From the moment you manage to take off the blouse of one of the two, you are part of the group," Theo clarified, "and as part of the group you are obliged to help me with this project.”

Christian gave me a confused look, but I just shrugged, even though I considered this explanation the most ridiculous thing in the universe.

" Rules are rules, by the way, look how it turned out," I turned sideways, leaving the tattoo visible through the baggy sleeve of my blouse, since I wasn't wearing a bra underneath.

" What the hell kind of rule is this? " Christian insisted.

" The rule Theo made up when he found out he had to hand in this project tomorrow and hasn't done anything yet," Sky explained, sitting down in the last vacant chair.

" When did you get this project? " Christian frowned.

" On the first day of school," Sky answered for his friend.

" You literally left it to the last minute, that's so stupid," I teased him.

" I didn't remember the project and now I need help," he explained.

" Why would I accept this? " Christian was direct.

" Because we're not giving you any choice," Sky shrugged, stirring his nachos.