Chapter 2

My next few classes went by pretty uneventfully. My run-in with the new Alpha was in fact the latest hot topic of conversation, but everyone opted to discuss it amongst themselves rather than confront me about it. Christian stayed by my side, helping make sure that I was as comfortable as I could be with all the looks and whispers. However, my next class was art—meaning that I was gonna be completely on my own until lunch. If I'm being honest, I was a little scared for a few reasons:

1. Christian wasn't around to make sure that no one bothered me.

2. Alpha Jackson had been transferred into the class with me.

3. Christian wasn't there to make sure that Alpha Jackson wouldn't bother me.

"Are you sure you can't stay with me this one time?" I asked him once I was sure that no one would see me.

"I'm sorry, Leana, I have a really big test today. Mr. Brown said that everything we learned last semester is fair game. You know how he's always trying to find ways to fail as many students as possible. He's a cruel man," he replied.

Looking down in defeat, I bid him farewell, and we headed to our respective classrooms. Making my way to the back corner by the window, I started setting up the different supplies I would be using today. We were working on painting different landscapes, focusing on light sources and depth perception. I tried to help out as much as I could by setting up and putting away the different paints so that Mrs. Jade would have more time to help as many students as she could. As I was setting up the second-to-last station, Mrs. Jade walked in with none other than Alpha Jackson.

"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 might have until he gets caught up," she said when she spotted me.

My mind was going a thousand miles an hour as I looked at the two people in front of me. Mrs. Jade was looking at me with hopeful eyes, whereas Alpha Jackson was looking at me with an unreadable expression. After weighing my two options, I reluctantly nodded. What was the worst that could happen? He'd sit next to me for a few days and then move seats and we wouldn't need to interact ever again. No harm, no foul.

"Thank you, Leana, you're a big help," Mrs. Jade said happily before walking to her desk, leaving me and the Alpha to ourselves.

"So where are we sitting?" the Alpha asked, turning towards me.

Slowly I pointed to the corner where I always sat.

"By the window?" he asked.

I simply nodded in response before making my way to my easel and putting on my apron. The Alpha followed slowly behind me, moving his easel closer to mine before sitting down.

"We're painting landscapes, correct?" he asked as the other students began to file in and take their seats. Once again I nodded before pointing out the window to the sun and then back at his canvas. He looked at me in confusion before asking another question. "Sunlight? I need to include a light source?"

Again I nodded as I watched him look for a reference photo. It didn't take him long to find one he liked. While he printed it out, I started mixing my paints. As he made his way back, all the girls tried to stop him, but surprisingly, he ignored them. All of a sudden, he picked up a tube of paint and squeezed it on his pallet. My eyes widened, and I started vigorously shaking my head.

"What's wrong?" he asked, confused by my reaction.

Quickly I grabbed an unused apron and handed it to him, indicating that he should wear it.

"You want me to wear an apron?"

I nodded.

"Why?"

I pointed to the paints, then to his shirt, and then made an 'x' with my fingers. Getting paint on your clothes was awful 'cause it didn't come out. Once the paint touched your clothes, it was there forever.

"No paint on clothes?" he asked, still very confused. I gave him a thumbs up as he put the apron on.

Looking at him, I knew that he was having a hard time understanding me. Writing down everything he needed to know would take too long and only drag him farther behind. Biting the inside of my cheek, I raised my hand for Mrs. Jade to come over. She finished helping the student she was with as fast as she could before making her way over to me.

"Everything okay, Leana?" she asked.

Turning slightly away from Jackson, I 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."

I could feel his eyes watching me, but I ignored it as Mrs. Jade started to reply, "I understand your concern; however, you are the best student in this class. You're like a second teacher, so even with the communication barrier, I know you will find a way to get him caught up."

The sound of someone clearing their throat caught our attention. "Is something wrong, ma'am?" Jackson asked.

"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 not a problem," he replied.

"Good, it's settled then." She gave me a reassuring smile before walking away to help the next student.

"So," Jackson started, "what do I do next?"

I walked over and grabbed the primer and a large brush. Then I handed them to him and pointed to the canvas once more. He took them out of my hands and nodded before starting to prime his canvas.