Free Malik (Carter Brother Series Book 1) by Lisa Helen Gray Page B

look at him as I grab my pencils and pad from my bag. I prefer using my own stationary when I’m drawing and by the looks of it, so does Malik when I notice him taking out his own pad and pencil case too.
    “Hey,’’ I whisper back once I realise I haven’t said anything it return.
    “You okay?’’ he asks softly making me look over to him. Does he mean am I okay about having a panic attack last night or just in general?
    “Yeah, you?’’
    “Good babe. So, Myles said you had some shit done to your locker, do you know who did it?’’ He asks with an odd edge to his voice.
    “Nope. I had ‘WHORE’ written on it last night so it could be anyone. Your pain in the ass brother Max didn’t help matters when he manhandled me in the hallway.’’
    “He’s just overly friendly,’’ he winces, but then chuckles. “I’ll tell him to back off, but once he hears what someone did to your locker he’s going to be pissed.’’
    “Why?’’ I wonder out loud, praying like hell it’s not because he likes me.
    “Because no one is going to mess with you from now on, that’s why. I told him last night not to give you anymore shit, but I’ll make sure he understands. I was in the hallway yesterday,’’ he tells me rolling his eyes and I feel my face heat again. Damn my red cheeks. “But you’re like family now, and no one messes with our family,’’ he shrugs like it’s no big deal, but for some reason I feel like it is. For Malik anyway. He doesn’t seem like the person to just let anyone in.
    “I...um...thanks I guess.’’
    “No problem.’’
    Just then the teacher grabs the class’s attention, so I turn and focus on her and not on the hot lad next to me. One that smells really fucking good. He’s wearing his spicy cologne, but the smell of him being freshly showered lingers in the air.
    “Okay, we have a new student with us for the rest of the school year, so I would like you all to meet Harlow Evans,’’ She says, everyone turning their attention my way. I give them a tentative wave before focusing my attention back to the teacher. “I have some good news for you all. An art gallery in town has given us a chance to work with them for a charity event that they are throwing in a few months. Take a look at the person next to you; get to know them, because for the next few weeks you’ll be working closely with them. The theme that the gallery has asked us to concentrate on is emotion. They want you to be able to create a piece of work that shows an emotion in great detail. How you express that emotion on paper is up to you. Each of you will get to choose an emotion of your own choice, and then will combine the two together working as a team. The gallery will be auctioning off all pieces of art for the charity event, but the winner of their choice will be given a chance at a summer internship for their gallery. Does anyone have any questions?’’  
    “What if we win, but don’t want the internship? That doesn’t seem fair to a person who wants it,’’ a voice from a chubby kid sitting in the front says.
    “Ahh yes, I did ask about this one myself. Some of you will be going off to college to take art, but I also know some of you don’t wish to take it further. They have said to make it fair that the winners, if they decline, can pick another student to take their place. Same goes if only one of you decline. This is the first year they’ve offered an internship at the gallery and it will look good on your college application forms to have as experience,’’ she says, smiling widely at us. “So, for today’s lesson, I want you to pick an emotion, make notes of certain things that remind you of that emotion. Once the emotion has been chosen you won’t be able to go back and change it, so make sure it’s one you want to stick with. I’ll expect your chosen emotion by Friday’s lesson. The storage room is open for anyone who wants any supplies, get started,’’ she says dismissing