Camila's hands flicking back and forth, conducting the mental image manifesting in her mind, accelerating with a slowly expanding smile.

I haven't felt this way in so long, not noticing Silas was watching her consume in her creation. He was about to apologize for using her name, but got lost in the fascination of the joy on her face.

So she's got her passion, grinning so hard he almost forgot to put his hand up with the attendance call. Lucky, hearing the teacher call her name.

"She's here, you know, new student, getting used to it."

"Ms. Rose, please remember to use your voice next time."

"Huh," snapping out of her trance.

Just say yes, he whispered.

"Um, yes Ms," about to thank him when she noticed he was staring at her drawing, retracting her sketchbook away.

"It's okay. Go wild. Just make sure you listen when she's speaking."

Afterwards, he showed her around each floor.

"So every floor is like a boring Mario Kart oval track. Small numbers start here, largest at the other side at the end. Science rooms, social studies, and art rooms are usually here."

"Can we see the art one?"

They checked their schedules, annoyed that neither one had it.

"Fourth floor is nothing special: just English and math classes."

He showed her the stairwell. "These are the stairwells where you go if you're into smoking, drinks, playing with a knife you snuck in somehow, or sharing drugs if you're into that."

"I thought mom said this school was good."

"It is. That's why it rarely happens, cameras make it the only blind spot. Still, if you want a quick cute moment before you get rudely interrupted, that's where you go," guiding her through his shortcuts.

"Third floor is like every class but usually for the lower grades like us."

"Second floor is weird. Sometimes it's for that one other class, like art for some reason."

"And first," jumping back down to the main hall. "Tech room, the other art room, and the office for stuff we can do outside of school. Feel caught up?"

He snickered as she got distracted by the mural painting of the mascots that were made last year.

"Well that's one way to hook someone in. Wanna meet up with the art teacher later?"

Wait, that's what I need, using her hands to clap his hands together. Please, let me talk to her!"

"S-sure," a little flustered. "Hey, have you been in a slump or something?"

"Ack," shivering and cringing. "You knew?"

"Just a guess. Wait, I was right?"

Disappointment guided her nods.

"Hey, it's fine, my life has always been a slump. We just gotta fight to reach those rising peaks. But inspiration can come from anywhere, right? People always shine brightest when they're passionate or trying their best. The trick is to not let that light flicker."

"How do you stop that from happening?"

"Well it's not easy, but we just have to find those quick moments to just take our dreams out of mind and put them into the world! Well," scratching his head, "without hurting anyone."

"Wait, you don't mind if I draw you?"

"Nah," fanning his wrist back and forth. "Just don't make me look like some weird racist thing," having to show a disgusting meme from Reddit leaving her distraught.

"People actually do that?"

"Art is a form of expression. And like the kids in the school, some people don't know how to express anything other than some form of venom."

"Well," scratching her cheek. "I know that the hard way."

"Sorry. But hey, good and rotten apples exist inside every batch. I'll help you find some good friends," earning a state of confusion. "I have a fair amount of friends ya know."

"I wasn't assuming." I was so assuming. "But I haven't seen you talk to anyone else that you know, like."

"Well since we have a new princess, we have to ammodate her to her new castle. Problem is, no one helped out the last new person for longer than five seconds and I felt bad," bowing. "I hope your tour is accustomed to your liking."

She couldn't help but smile a bit. "Your tour is oddly welcoming," curtseying.

"Well appreciated. But to answer your question, I'm interested in a fairy tale?"

"Sure."

"Once upon a time, a prince was born in poverty. He was cursed to be abandoned by half the people he loved. His skillset was constantly fitted against his peers against his will, turning them away. He learned the hard way that life typecasted people as villains: for others to unite against. And he promised to never give into that temptation or let anyone else fall into that trap."

"Oh, that's so sad." Is he talking about himself?

"If you think I'm talking about myself," letting her linger on his face, but changing tunes. "Anyway, this year, I'm switching roles from victim to villain. But this time, it'd be nice to not feel like I'm in a one person play."

She winced. "Sounds hard to find friends, huh?"

"Don't worry. I have a nasty habit of trying to join a friend group who doesn't want me or being the last person to join a clique who I accidentally ignored. You'll find your people."

"What if I never do?"

"Then I'll have your back while I'm here. I'm so loyal, Chris Brown wishes he finds a ho like me."

She started laughing. "You're a ho?"

"A ho is someone who sleeps around and takes off their clothes. We both go to bed and take showers right?"

"Huh, when you put like that, I guess we're both hoes? Speaking of showers, do the ones here work?"

"Hahahaha," dropping his enthusiasm immediately. "Nope. By the way, can I see your drawing?"

"Well it's not done," taking it out, "but sure."

She showed him his draft. Rough sketches of a chibi version of herself riding on top of an astral projection of his giant head that his real body was projecting.

His mouth dropped.

He hates it?

"Oh, you turned my energy into a superpower guiding you through school. That's so creative!"

He likes it?

"That's what you were going for, right?"

Yeah, that was too spot on.

"You've got so much talent. Go right ahead if you want to make me into a muse!"

"You sure?"

"Absolutely," taking her hand. "We'll dream up the coolest art you could ever make!"