Chapter 10
Jackson’s POV:
*Flashback*
As Mrs. Jade was giving me a tour of the classrooms and trying to explain exactly what the assignment the class was working on, our mostly one-sided conversation was cut short when we walked into the art room and a student caught Mrs. Jade’s attention.
“Ah Leana, just the person I was looking for. As you probably know Alpha Jackson is transferring into our class, I was wondering if you would be okay with him sitting next to you so you can help him with any questions or problems he has until he gets caught up with the rest of the class.” She said after getting the girl’s attention.
Looking at her I tried to think of where I had met her before, and as I watched her try to weigh all the pros and cons to the decision that was being placed in front of her, it clicked in my head. This was the girl that we bumped into this morning, the girl who apparently cannot speak. That in and of itself made questions of my own start swirling around in my mind. Was she born mute? Was she choosing not to speak? Or did something happen to her? So as I asked myself these questions I observed her.
She seemed to have come to a decision as she hesitantly nodded.
“Thank you Leana, you’re a big help” Mrs. Jade says happily before walking to her desk, allowing me to observe the girl whose name is Leana uninterrupted.
“So where are we sitting?” I asked turning towards her.
She slowly pointed towards the corner she was in when we walked in.
“By the window?” I asked just to make sure I understood.
She nodded in response before making her way to her easel and putting on an apron. I followed slowly behind, moving my easel closer to hers before sitting down.
“We’re doing landscapes correct?” I asked as the other students began to file in and take their seats. She once again nodded before pointing out the window to the sun then pointing to my canvas. I looked at her confused before asking another question “Sunlight? I need to show a light source?”
Another nod.
She watched as I looked for a reference photo. Shortly after finding one I liked, I left to go print it out. While it printed out I watched as Leana started mixing her paints. Holding them up to her photo to make sure that they were in fact the correct colors she needed and wanted. And as I made my way back to my easel, girls kept trying to get my attention but I was much more interested in Leana so I ignored them and continued on my way. When I got back I picked up a tube of paint and squeezed it onto me pallet causing her eyes to widen and start to vigorously shake her head.
“What’s wrong?” I asked shacked and confused by the sudden reaction.
Quickly she handed me an unused apron, indicating that I should wear it.
“You want me to wear an apron?”
She nodded.
“Why?”
She pointed to the paints then to my shirt and made a ‘x’ with her fingers. If I’m being totally honest the way she’s acting is extremely cute, and I couldn’t stop a small smile from making its way onto my face as I watched her once again hand me the apron.
“No paint on clothes?” I asked still very confused, but hiding my smile. She gave me a thumbs up as I put the apron on.
As I started working on mixing my paints I noticed that she looked at me with concern in her eyes. Almost like she was in the midst of massive inner turmoil and was having an inner battle about something. All of a sudden she raised her hand for Mrs. Jade to come over. She finished helping the last student as fast as she could before making her way over to us.
“Everything okay Leana?” She asked.
Turning slightly away from me Leana started signing. “I feel like Alpha Jackson should be paired with someone he can better communicate with. I’m afraid that with me helping him he will just fall further behind.”
Ah, so she’s worried about my education, due to being partnered with her. Should I explain that I know sign language? I think that if I did that now she would start to feel uncomfortable and embarrassed.
I decided to just watch the interaction as Mrs. Jade started to reply “I understand your concern, however you are the best student in the class. You’re like a second teacher so even with the communication barrier I know you will find a way to overcome it.”
I cleared my throat to gain their attention. “Is something wrong Ma’am?” I asked politely.
“Not at all. Leana is just worried about the communication barrier. I don’t think it’s a problem, but if you would feel more comfortable with someone else, I can have that arranged," she explained.
“I agree Mrs. Jade communication is no problem.” I replied.
“Good, it’s settled then.” she gave Leana a reassuring smile before walking to help the next student.
“So,” I started before giving her a reassuring smile “What do I do next?”
walked over and grabbed the primer and a large brush and handed them to me and pointed to the canvas once more. I gladly took them out of her hands and nodded before starting to prime my canvas, and wait for further instructions.
*End of Flashback*