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CHAPTER TWO: LEMONADE

IT SEEMED NOTHING WOULD go right for Jesse the next morning. Of course, it would be the one day he had to be prepared, starting his first day today. That's the way life seemed to work for him.

So when he dressed, throwing on his best flannel and grabbing his coat from behind the door, Jesse downed a cup of coffee. Silence was a waste of time for the man, quickly eating a slice of toast before making his way towards the door.

This time, he didn't even bother locking it, the dump of the house wasn't worth burgling. Jesse sucked in a deep breath, shivering as his coat did nothing to block out the harsh winter winds.

Pulling out his keys, Jesse hopped into the truck, shoving the keys into the ignition. One turn, two turns, three turns, nothing.

"No, no, no, no, no, " Jesse repeated with irritation as the engine choked its final breaths.

"Start, God damn it! You useless piece of trash!!" he yelled, slamming his hand on the wheel, getting out of the truck and banging the door behind him.

"Stupid load of crap," he mumbled under his breath, rubbing his hands together before opening up the hood.

Inside the entire engine was fried, emitting smoke into the cold air. In a fit of anger, Jesse slammed down the hood and kicked the side of the truck.

Nothing would ever go his way. Pulling up his collar, Jesse began his walk to the high school, cold and in bad temper. He huffed and grumbled throughout the half-hour walk, stepping into a puddle only heightening his annoyance.

Eventually, Jesse made it to Forks Highschool, home of the Spartans. How inspiring. Walking through the building, Jesse eventually found the reception office.

"Hi, there! How can I help you?" the lady behind the desk asked, her eyes unmoving from her computer screen.

"I'm Jesse Blake, the new art teacher," he replied, looking over his shoulder.

Typing away, the lady, who he now knew to be Noelle after noticing the plaque on the desk, spoke again, "Mr Blake... Ah, here we are. You're in the class just down the hall and when you're finished there will be a locker for you in the teacher's lounge."

Taking the small pack of papers she handed to him, Jesse thanked her before heading down the corridor and stopping outside the door.

"Come on Jesse, you can do this, just the same as every other year." he thought to himself.

With his self pep talk over, Jesse reached for the handle and braced himself as he opened the door. What met him was chaos.

Students were chatting and shouting away, ignoring Jesse as he tried to get their attention, "Hello? Helloo? Can y'all please quiet down?"

The conversation continued. Taking matters into his own hands, Jesse stuck his fingers in his mouth and produced an ear-piercing whistle.

Now, this got their attention.

"Shut up and sit your asses down!" Jesse exclaimed.

The students looked at him in shock, eyes sticking out of their beads as they quickly sat down at their desks.

"Thank you. Take out your work so far."

The majority did what they were told, except for one boy, who immediately turned around to the girl behind him and started to whisper.

"Something funny Goldylocks?"

The boy whipped around, surprise not hidden from his face, "No sir."

"Since you've interrupted the class Mr?"

"Hale sir," he added.

"Mr Hale, tell me what you've covered so far," Jesse questioned him, looking around at all the blank emotionless walls.

"We've only really done still life and posters."

Rubbing his hand against his forehead, Jesse sighed, signalling for Mr Hale to sit down, he headed back up to the front of the room, " Right, y'all are gonna draw me a portrait piece of the person beside you but if they were from your favourite time era, you have the rest of the class period to finish it then I want it up on my desk."

They wasted no time, pulling out their sketchbooks and sketching out the basic features of the people in front of them.

Jesse took this opportunity to evaluate the class average skills in the drawing department. For the most part, they were doing very well. Except for the group at the back.

"Shirley Temple, What era have you?"

"It's Ms Mallory actually and isn't it obvious? The 21st century" she replied with an obnoxious, unmistakable tone.

Sighting, Jesse turned back and walked up to the front of the class, " How many of you are doing the present day?"

Sure enough, more people raised their hands. Scanning the crowd, Jesse noticed one girl who didn't raise her hand.

"Pixie cut! what era are you doing?" he called out.

Looking up from her sketch, the girl easily replied, " The 1940's"

"And why have you picked the 40's

"Because I find it eye-opening the way people went about their daily lives without the need for technology, a simpler life."

With a smile on his face, Jesse turned back to the class, " Now that's the answer I'm looking for from all of you."

Yet before he could ask anyone the final bell rang and students began to pack away their items.

"Leave all your portraits on my desk before you leave."

Jesse turned back to his desk, writing down in his teacher's diary his next lesson plan, unaware of the student in front of his desk.

"Excuse me, sir."

Looking up in alarm, Jesse's expression faded back to one of neutrality, " Yes Ms?"

"Cullen sir. I've already finished my portrait."

"Ah, so this must be the girl Esme talked about," he thought to himself.

"Really? You didn't have much time." Taking it up, Jesse was in awe.

There in front of him was an almost photograph quality portrait of Mr Hale, dressed in a 40's inspired suit, sat in what looked like a very well kept yard.

"This is amazing, I'm blown away." he praised her, gazing at every delicate brushstroke.

"Thank you, " Ms Cullen replied, blushing at the compliments, " I'll see you tomorrow."

Jesse gave her a curt nod, looking back at the portrait. Taking a large gulp from his lemonade can, he thought to himself.

Could he make a living here?

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1065 words

Author's note: Hello! I'm back with chapter two, just to set the mood and image for the rest of the story. On a random note, my class just decorated our room for Christmas and it's so cool!!

*The_lost_flower*