Backstreet X-Change
"Today, class, I've got an activity that's a lot more fun but also challenging and profound. Ha, I bet that's got your attention now hasn't it?"
Alyssa's head snapped up at the word challenging and noticed that her teacher Miss. Sands was directing the last part towards her. Alyssa managed a half smile and tried her best to keep interested.. and focused.
"I want you to paint a portrait of your ideal male or female. Obviously you'll put together your ideal image of your perfect partner. You'll include all your favourite physical traits of course, but I also want you to interperate qualities and traits that your ideal male/female would have. It'll be a little tricky but every one of you in here is more than capable of the task. That's all for today. Portraits due next class."
All the students started to pack up their things and leave but Alyssa lingered around hoping to get a chance to talk to Miss. Sands about the portraits. It was a cold night and most people left quickly. It was only a matter of minutes before Alyssa was the last one in the room.
Before Alyssa could even begin talking, Miss Sands plunged right on it. It was just like. She didn't waste any time.
"Worried about the assignment are you? You shouldn't be. You're one of the most talented students in this class. You have a creative flair in you."
"No Miss, it's not that. You see, my father's in town for the week and I haven't seen him in such a long time. I don't think I'll be able to get it completed in time."
"It's no problem, I understand. When do you think you can have it done?"
"The end of the month I guess.."
"Your father.. he's not a prominant figure in your life, is he?" Miss Sands eyes bore intently into Alyssa's and she squirmed under the intensity..
"He tries to be."
"But?"
"But he's been gone for so long, I just.."
"I understand. You'd better go, I hear a storm is on the horizon. Good luck with things. I'm anxious to see your work when you complete it."
"Thanks Miss.." Alyssa pulled on her winter jacket and strode out of the classroom thankful that all the questions had stopped. She didn't like talking about her dad. Unpleasant memories.
Shs pushed opened the swinging doors and stepped into the cold winter air, relishing in the fact that for once. Her mood matched the weather. The walk from the Unversity where she took her special art class once a week was a short one. Only 5 or 10 minutes but Alyssa took a back route and wandered around before going home.
She kept walking as slowly as possible and took as long as humanly possible but still before long Alyssa turned up onto St.Saviours road and panicked as she looked up the street and saw her house with all the lights ablaze.
"I need another delay! I can't go home!" She thought in her panicked state.
As if reading her mind her next door neighbour, Brian stepped out of his house as she walked by. Brian was cute and young looking. With tousled dirty blond hair and sweet accented voice. He was the sweetest man she'd ever met.. He'd been the first to welcome Alyssa and her family when they had moved here. He lived alone but people constantly came and went.
"Hey Lyss!" he called.
"Hey Bri," she returned as she started to walk up to him.
"You look cold! How long have you been outside?"
"Long enough!"
"I'd invite you in for a nice warm fire and some hot chocolate but I'm on my way over to a friend's house. Sorry!"
"Don't be, besides Dad's home this weekend anyway."
Brian started to flush and looked at the ground, not quite sure how to reply to that. He'd only had the pleasure to meet Mr. Bennett once. He'd been a drunk and verbally abusive towards Alyssa, her twin brother Conner and her younger brother Brook and her older sister Kyra. Alyssa never talked about him or their past but he got the impression that Mr. Bennett had bought the house for the 4 kids to live on their own so that he could go off on his own.
"Well I guess you need to get going now. I'll see you later." Alyssa mumbled.
Brian reached over and pulled her into a tight hug.
"You will indeed my dearest," he said with a goofy grin. "Besides, I want you to meet a friend of mine tomorrow if that's okay?"
Alyssa looked at him in surprise. Brian rarely talked about his friends. "I'd love to Brian. I really would."
"Perfect! Keep your daybook clear! I'll call you tomorrow." Brian pulled away and jumped into the car. He honked twice as he pulled out of the driveway and waved.
Alyssa stared at his disappearing car for a few moments, the warmth of his hug redenning her cheeks and making her tingle inside. She smiled and walked over into her own yard and up to the front step.
She pushed open the door and composed her features ready to face her father.
As the door pushed away Alyssa came faced with her worst enemy.
A very muscular man, measuring about 6'3" with bloodshot eyes and alchohol on his breath. No question about it, he was drunk and he was mad.
"Just where have you been young lady?" he demanded, focusing his blood shot eyes onto her clear green ones that were fighting back tears.
"Relax Dad! Lyss had art class tonight! She told you that over breakfast remember?" Never before had Alyssa been so happy to hear her big sister's voice. Kyra came up behind their father and gently took his arm.
"She here now, that's all that matters. Come back and finish dinner with us. Conner and I slaved over that all afternoon!"
Mr. Bennett nodded and walked briskly into the other room. Once he was gone Alyssa's entire body sagged and she took a deep breath of intense relief. Kyra nodded at her with sympathetic and weary eyes before following Mr Bennett out of the rooom.
Alyssa kicked off her shoes and jogged up the main hallway and up the stairs and into her bedroom.. Once inside she locked the door and leaned against it.
She'd have to go downstairs sooner or later, but might as well make it later. She tossed her winter clothes onto the floor and surveyed her reflection in the floor length mirror.
Her thick strawberry blond hair fell down to about the centre of her back. Her jeans felt tight around her rounded hips, one of the perils of having an hour glass figure was that you tended to look fat as aposed to thin. She sighed and turned away flopping down onto her bed.
Miss Sands words rang through her head.. 'Your ideal male/female..' and on impulse Cassidy grabbed her sketch pad and started to do just that.
She worked quickly and finished in about 15 minutes. She leaned back and admired her work. It was only a rough sketch but that was her dream man.
Blond hair, not short but not long either. Blue eyes, tall.. Distinctly masculin but with a sweet near-feminin type open face and hidden mischievousness apparent in his composure. He'd have pale skin and a sweet voice.
"If only such a guy existed," she thought before she turned over and drifted asleep fully dressed.
