Read the rest of the ‘Found Soul’ series here.
Celine is now in her third week at her new school, and she isn’t having the easiest of times accommodating. She feels like a fish out of water and is finding it difficult to socialize with and relate to the other kids. That is, except with Kyle, whose modest upbringing has kept him closer to the ground and “more approachable,” she thinks.
One group of kids in particular is giving Celine a hard time about her being adopted and “stumbling around like she’s from another planet.” Leading this “pack of inbreds” are Sydney and Adrien, the school’s most popular couple. They are feared by students and teachers alike because of each of their parents’ wealth and their influence in the community and over the school that they’ve generously donated to over the years. “Crossing them isn’t a good idea, you’re better off ignoring them,” is what Kyle tells her.
This time, however, they’re picking on her relentlessly, and Celine’s feeling overwhelmed. Kyle happens to walk by and sticks up for her. “What’s wrong, Sydney, your dad been doing the maid again so you’re lashing out?” Everyone’s frozen in place. No one ever talks that way to Sydney. “You’d better watch what you say, hick. Nice shirt, does it come in men’s,” Adrien steps up. “Oh, I think you come in men enough for all of us. Come on, Cel, let’s get outta here.” Adrien gets up to go after him, but Sydney grabs his arm. “Not here. Just wait.”
Celine’s grateful to have Kyle as her friend, or else school would be much less bearable. At least the teachers are alright, especially the English teacher, Miss Roberts, who’s noticed Celine’s passion for literature and seems like she’s taken a liking to her. She always asks her to stay until everyone’s left the classroom and asks her how she is and if she needs help with anything. Celine’s felt comfortable talking to her from the moment she met her. There’s a familiarity to Miss Roberts that she can’t quite put her finger on.
This is one of many short stories I’ve been writing for Teodora’s drawings ever since she said she was bad at writing descriptions for them. I thought I’d enjoy helping her and trying to write something different than I was used to. I’d never collaborated creatively with anyone on anything before Teodora and I love the purpose she’s added to my writing and how she challenges me with each drawing.
It’s been two months to the day since we published the first ‘Found Soul’ and now we’re back at it. Let’s see where it goes. 👀
For more wonderful drawings, follow Teodora on Instagram @teoctobart. You can also buy her a coffee on her Ko-fi page.
For more stories, she’s got her own tag here.
Discover more from Dunno
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.