ACK! Paint on my jeans!!! (open)

[katniss]

Jane sat at her desk quietly, working on her art assignment. She wondered why she had signed up for this class in the first place, because the Art teacher was hardly letting her have free rein of her creativity. The art room, the one place she could be herself back in San Francisco, was pretty much no more. She pulled out a pencil and a tattered copy of Peter Pan, preferring instead to draw in the margins of her abused ("loved!") book. She moved ever so slightly too quickly and accidentally tore a corner off of the cover.
"Ack!" she leaned down to pick it up, and when she had straightened back up, the art teacher was lording over her. Crap.
"Ms. Garner," the teacher asked, making the 'tsk, tsk' sound Jane had only her in movies, "is there any reason you consider yourself above the rest of us?"
"No, Mrs. Jensen," replied Jane in a voice that was so small it was nonexistent. However, the teacher seemed to pick it up quite clearly.
"Then why, pray tell, are you not working on the assignment?" She paused for a second, as if trying to remember what she was doing, then rapped her paintbrush very hard on Jane's desk. Jane was about to respond to the fact that the teacher had just splattered paint on her face and all of her clothes, when the teacher started yelling. "Is it because you think you're better than the rest of us?"
"No," she replied.
"Is it because the assignment isn't good enough for you?"
Yes, Jane said in her head, but publicly, replied negative.
"Then why?"
"I don't know..."
"WRONG ANSWER!!!!"

[blahblahbertha]

Jeanette wandered down the halls. She had recently transferred into art class. Since she had no friends to ask, she was oblivious to anything more than what the office told her about it, and didn't know any of her peers opinions of it. Here it was! A small smile lit her face as she saw paint flecks on the door. Just as she opened it, however, the sight that awaited her wiped it off her face.

As Jeanie walked in, her heart plummeted in fear. A woman she could only assume was the teacher- Mrs. Jensen, if she remembered rightly- was leaning over an art student who had been scribbling furiously in a weather-beaten edition of Peter Pan. Mrs. Jensen did not look happy. She began to reprimand, then scream at the girl. During her fit, Mrs. Jensen splatted paint all over the girl.

Suddenly, Jeanette felt an emotional fire of righteous anger, offset by a buzz of fear, light inside her. Just because she was a teacher, that woman thought she could get away with bullying that girl! Apparently, she had so far, judging by the look on that girl's face. Jeanette took a deep breath to steel herself, then marched up to Mrs. Jensen.

"Um..." Jeanie faltered, then resolutely marched on, "You can't just yell at her like that. Did it ever occur to you that she might be more creative than your assignment? Just because you're a teacher, a 'grown-up' doesn't mean you can just go around screaming at your students. Art class is supposed to be about creative thinking! NOT about doing whatever the art teacher says. You'll never get respect and good behavior from students that way." With that, her little speech ended. Jeanie put her hands on her hips, her heart beating fast from the brave thing she just did. She looked directly at Mrs. Jensen as she waited for the classroom's reaction.

[katniss]

Jane was just a bit stunned. Why was this girl sticking up for her? She had no idea whatsoever. She stared blankly at her, while Mrs. Jensen seemed. Just. A. Bit. Furious. Jane was about to warn her when her exclamation of horror got caught in her throat and she instead made a small, choked sound. Right. Some rescue. Instead of paying attention to Jane, the teacher whirled around on Jeanette and pointed her paintbrush at her.

"You think you can just reprimand me in my own classroom?" She seemed surprised by her own words. "Did you really think that?" Jeanette barely had any time to respond before Mrs. Jensen seized her by the ear and hauled her down the hall towards the principal's office.

"Wow..." escaped one kid's lips, and there was a collective intake of breath before everyone gave a small whoop.

"She's not gone forever, though," Jane reminded them, staying more down to earth than the others. "She'll be back soon."

"Maybe, maybe not," one boy said. "After all, she may kill Jeanie and then have to flee the country." Everyone laughed except Jane, who was slightly offended by the suggestion. After all, Jeanie had just stood up for her against the strictest, nastiest, cruelest teacher in the school, and Jane was in her debt for that. In fact, she'd probably be the one in the principal's office now if Jeanie hadn't been brave enough to give her a hand.

She could hear yelling in the office, which was just down the hall. "That's not good," she whispered.

[blahblahbertha]

"You think you can just reprimand me in my own classroom?""Did you really think that?"

Jeanette started to reply before the teacher began to whisk her down to the principal's office, by the... ear. Were teachers even allowed to do that? She didn't have much time to think about it, though. Soon they were in the Principal's office. Mrs. Jensen began screaming again when the secretary told her the principal was out. Suddenly, Jeanette realized she wasn't five, didn't like the teacher pulling her ear, and was physically capable of doing something about it. Prying Mrs. Jensen's fingers from her ear, Jeanette stood straighter, gulped silently, and glared at her as she was finally able to give her response.

"No, I don't think I can reprimand you in your own classroom. I KNOW I can." Jeanette said the rest of her thoughts in one breath, afraid the disgusting art teacher would drown her out again. "You have no right to be screaming at people. Treating people like dirt won't get you ahead. It will just destroy your reputation, your job, and your personal life, little by little. EVERYONE deserves some respect, even you." She held her head up high.

Through the screaming torrent that she knew awaited her, Jeanette said, "Perhaps other people will let you treat them this way, but I will NOT." As the last of her titanic will drained out of her, Jeanette said, "I entered your class to be taught art. Not to hear you bully other students, and certainly not to be bullied." With that, she walked out of the principals office, and back to the art room. As she opened the door, Jeanette heard whispers, sort of sounding like, 'Was she murdered?'

After it was revealed to be her, however, a cheer erupted. A faint trace of a smile touched Jeanette's lips, and she slowly sat down at a desk with her head in her hands. What had she just done? She didn't think she'd ever done anything so gutsy in her life. Who knew she had it in her? Guess she did now.

[katniss]

Jane saw Jeanette put her head in her hands on her desk, and silently thought that maybe the girl could use a little-pick-me-up. Along with some prozac, because Jane was pretty much sure that Jeanie was crraaaaazzyy for standing up to a teacher than way. One just can't do that and not get in serious trouble with even the nicest of teachers, let alone one of the meanest of all. It was definitely a big problem for the rest of your career in high school if you got on one teacher's bad side. After all, they were perfectly capable of making your life a living hell, and there was usually nothing you could do about it.

When the bell finally rang, most of the kids scrambled out of the room as quickly as they could, but both Jane and Jeanie stayed, who knows why, because it just made them more open to punishment from Mrs. Jensen. Jane went into her backpack and grabbed a piece of paper. She quickly scribbled: "What kind of man would marry a bi witch like that?"

She passed it onto Jeanie and waited for her reply. While Jeanie scribbled her rather long message, Jane pulled out her sketchbook and started drawing Jeanie. She just couldn't get the nose right. Jeanie's nose was a lot cuter than her own, and she was used to drawing self portraits so it was a little hard. Man, was she pretty...

Jane shook her head. She couldn't fall in love with someone else in this school. Especially not someone who wasn't gay. After all, most girls would be pretty repelled by her affection, most people knew she was a lesbian. That wasn't exactly a good thing in high school, particularly because it meant that people of your own sex assumed that you weren't exclusive and would try to get into their pants at any opportunity. Jane was anything but that immoral. In fact, until she figured out she was gay she had adhered to a strict "no sex before marriage" vow. Now, it didn't even look like she'd ever get married, because in most places, gay couples couldn't.

She tore out the page and crumpled it up, but not before Jeanie stopped her and asked: "Wow, is that me?"

[blahblahbertha]

Jeanette loved the picture Jane had made of her... it portrayed her as she'd never really seen herself in the mirror in the harsh light of the bathroom or her closet. The shading was soft, blurring into itself in different gradients of darkness. Her face was slightly turned away in the picture; she supposed it had been in when her head was in her hands. But then she was crumpling it up, destroying the soft curves and magnificent shading- closing the hole into her mind's eye.

She scribbled out the long message she had been writing, and printed in smooth letters 'Your drawing was really amazing. I can't believe Mrs. Jansen wouldn't like your artwork. As to what man would want to marry her, perhaps she is a widow who is angry about the loss of her husband. What is your name? Mine is Jeanette.' Her round, flowing penmanship was quiet and unobtrusive, just like she usually was. What had gotten into her since she had come to New York?

Perhaps it was the bigness of the city, the crowds of people. Perhaps it was homesickness. Yet Jeanette had a feeling that it was more than that, that it was her branching out and growing up. Coming to live New York was the right decision after all.

[katniss]

Jane stared at the note. She didn't think that Jeanie would want to reply to her note, after all, she was a lesbian. Everyone's favorite person to either tease or completely ignore. She was new and didn't have many friends, so why not tease her to make yourself feel bigger? At least, that was the way Jane saw it. She looked at Jeanie's reply. Your drawing was really amazing. I can't believe Mrs. Jansen wouldn't like your artwork. As to what man would want to marry her, perhaps she is a widow who is angry about the loss of her husband. What is your name? Mine is Jeanette.

Wow. She really seemed like she might want to be Jane's friend. Jane was completely stunned. She liked her artwork! And she was playing along with her joke! And best of all, she had asked for her name. With a smooth motion, she picked up her own backpack, gestured to Jeanie's and pointed towards the door. Then, not waiting for her to follow, she walked out.

Jeanette followed her out, which surprised her even more. Even if she wanted to be friends with Jane. It was one thing to be friends with a lesbian, it was another thing to be seen with them. She knew plenty of people who had had problems with people thinking THEY were lesbians after hanging out with her.

She turned around and looked at her new acquaintance. "Actually, I knew your name was Jeanie. Mine's Jane. I hope you know what you're getting yourself into by letting yourself by seen with me."

[blahblahbertha]

Jeanette grabbed her backpack as the two of them left the art room. The other girl kinda seemed entirely shocked that Jeanie stuck up for her. Actually, all of them did. Y'know, she should call her parents and make sure they didn't hate her if she got kicked out for that.

They exited the room, first her, then Jeanie. A few steps later, the other girl turned to face Jeanette.

"Actually, I knew your name was Jeanie. Mine's Jane."

She did? Since when had ANYBODY at this school known her name- except the teachers, of course- or even CARED enough to know it? Jane sounded sort of like Jeanie. It especially would if Jane's nickname was Janie. Her random, silly observation made Jeanette's mouth quirk up in a half-smile.

"I hope you know what you're getting yourself into by letting yourself by seen with me."

Jeanette was confused. What would she be getting into? Only one way to find out. "No, I don't. What AM I getting into being seen with you?" She frowned slightly. Was there something she didn't know about?

[katniss]

What am I getting myself into, being seen with you?

Ah, so she didn't know. Jane would be happy to tell her. Coming out of the closet had been such a mistake but now she relished being able to tell people and see the looks on their faces. Shocked, disgusted. Sometimes happy, because they themselves were queer and had wanted a friend. Jane grinned. "Well, you do know that I'm gay, right?"

The surprised look on Jeanie's face told Jane that she didn't even know that simple fact about her. "You're really going to have to be able to fend off accusations of being gay yourself if you want to be my friend. All's fair in love and war, and I have quite a few enemies."

Jane smiled at Jeanie slightly mischievously and said, "So, you know, it's your decision. Do you really want a rap like that? Don't make your decision based on not wanting to hurt me, I've been hurt enough in my life already that I don't really feel pain regarding betrayals." She shrugged her shoulders. "You don't have to decide now. You can wait and tell me later."

[blahblahbertha]

"Well, you do know that I'm gay, right?"

A mild look of surprise crossed Jeanette's face. She hadn't known that about her. Jane looked incredibly happy to be telling Jeanie this about her. What was so amusing? Everyone should be allowed their own personal sexual preference. "Oh," Jeanette shrugged. "Everyone deserves her personal sexuality." Wait, did that come out right? Well, she didn't have time to worry about it anyway- Jane was talking again.

"You're really going to have to be able to fend off accusations of being gay yourself if you want to be my friend. All's fair in love and war, and I have quite a few enemies."

Smiling slightly, and a bit nervous, Jeanette mumbled, "Well, technically, I've been going by bisexual myself. I mean, the idea of dating a woman doesn't totally revolt me or anything..." Trailing off, she hoped that didn't sound overly awkward.


"So, you know, it's your decision. Do you really want a rap like that? Don't make your decision based on not wanting to hurt me, I've been hurt enough in my life already that I don't really feel pain regarding betrayals.""You don't have to decide now. You can wait and tell me later."

Jeanette stared, shocked. That... that was just... hideous! That people could hurt another person so much that they completely froze their emotions in that regard. That was even worse than the cruel art teacher's hurtful words. Shaking her head, Jeanette glared- not at Jane, at all the people who had ever hurt her- as she spoke again. "Firstly, people shouldn't judge people based on anything but their character. Period. I don't care if you're a person who hangs out with homosexuals, if you have an accent, if the color of your skin is different. The fact remains that you are a person, and books shouldn't be judged by their covers. Even if people don't like you, they should still give you respect. Secondly, like I said, I am technically bisexual, so... if people are going to judge me cruelly, they can do that WITHOUT your help." Pausing for a breath, Jeanette smiled softly at Jane. "So of course I'll be your friend. And where were you going to take me again? Or is a surprise?" Now Jeanie was the one smiling mischievously.

[katniss]

"Firstly, people shouldn't judge people based on anything but their character. Period. I don't care if you're a person who hangs out with homosexuals, if you have an accent, if the color of your skin is different. The fact remains that you are a person, and books shouldn't be judged by their covers. Even if people don't like you, they should still give you respect. Secondly, like I said, I am technically bisexual, so... if people are going to judge me cruelly, they can do that WITHOUT your help."

Oh really? Being mildly distrustful of any and all friends, Jane regarded Jeanie. After all, she had saved her in the art room, but it had happened before; someone helping her and then betraying her. Often spreading stupid rumors about her afterwards. "OMIGOD! You know that Jane girl? She's a lesbian! And guess what? I guess she just can't control herself or something, cuz she tried to FEEL ME UP!" Yeah, right. Like anyone, even a boy, would try something like THAT in public.

Besides, now that she looked at her eyes, there was something not quite right about Jeanie. Her eyes seemed narrower than usual. Was she...glaring at Jane? That did it. Jane stopped at her locker, and propped her planner up on her knee so she could write down her art assignment. When she heard Jeanie clear her throat, she snapped her head up and gave Jeanie the hairy eyeball.

"If you're just going to ridicule me like that will you just--"

"So of course I'll be your friend. And where were you going to take me again? Or is a surprise?"

Oh. "The courtyard."