i'm still alive 'open

[Colin O'Sullivan]

He never enjoyed sports. Watching the jocks play around on the field outside, Colin made an immature face and looked away. His classroom was now empty seeing as it was lunchtime, and Colin knew he should probably be down there too. He wasn’t that hungry, and he had more fun drawing all sorts of food than eating it really. He glanced back at the Seniors playing American football, mentally scolded himself, and sat down at his small desk. He was never good at sports… Well, he was alright at soccer and badminton was a favourite sport of his, but he didn’t play it daily. He was the artsy person of course, always drawing or painting, perhaps even taking a rare picture. Why else would he be the art teacher? If he wasn’t one, then he’d just be an artist. Perhaps even one of those people that drew on pavements for money. Smiling to himself, he dabbed his paintbrush in the cup of water and began to paint some of the icy sky on the paper in front of him. He always enjoyed water colours.

He stared at what he had so far. Pat of the corner was an icy blue, while the rest would be near whites and more blues. He always loved a good snow day, it made everything seem peaceful. If kids are playing about in it, then he could just enjoy that they were taking in how youthful they were and ruining his lovely scenery. Thankfully in paintings, no one could ruin it… Unless they poured water over it, or ripped it up. Deciding not to think about the negative facts, he continued to paint, hearing people running about outside the classroom and outside the building itself. It made him smile, and he began to paint a little quicker with more energy.

Then his stomach rumbled. Colin stood up a bit too quickly and spilled the water, not only over his painting, but himself. Cursing quietly, the teacher quickly put the cup the right way up for the little good it did, seeing as most of the water had gone all over him. Ignoring the dripping water for now, he walked over to the sink and began to wring out his pale blue shirt. Colin had already rolled the sleeves up to his elbows before the class even started. Glancing to see if any got on his faded jeans(god knows who would say what if it looked like he pissed himself). Eventually laughing at himself, Colin sauntered over to the table with a few bits if tissue paper, aiming to wipe it all away.

[Dakota Gairden]

Dakota always skipped lunch, he would usually hang out at his locker and grab a few things and just type on the book he was currently working on. Seeing that it was almost time he went ahead and packed up his things but realized that he left something in the art room. And it wasn't anything he wouldn't care about. It was his journal. Shit. He thought as he quickly shoved everything back in his locker and kept his laptop. It was still about ten to fifteen minutes before the bell rang and he wasn't that far from the art class.

He walked quickly there, easily dodging the students running in the hall. He turned the corner of the class and stopped when he saw the teacher wiping himself where seems like water split. He didn't assume that he pissed himself. No, it would smell. But not only that he noticed the cup. Dakota took it in and knew what had probably happened. A simple water spill. He wore his pitch black outfit today. His black jeans, black swede shoes, and his jacket that covered his torso. Even a scarf even though it was cleary nice outside and not chilly for a scarf.

But it was the way he dressed. He didn't bother to say anything, going to his desk and searching for his journal and finding it on the floor. He let out a sigh of relief. He wrote in it everyday and would just kill whoever got their hands on it. He held it close then placed it in his bag.

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[Colin O'Sullivan]

He heard the door open and looked round, smiling when he spotted a student. Obviously he’d smile no matter who it was, but that wasn’t the point. He always thought a smile helped someone, which was usually why he smiled whenever commenting about a student or friend. A lot of people always thought he lacked in tact, he just thought they lacked in a good sense of humour. Putting down the tissues for a moment, he watched as he looked about for something.
“Alright, Dakota? Lost something?” he asked, continuing to wipe away he water again. It was clear his painting was ruined, so after he had dried the table the best he could, he crumpled up the paper and put it with the rest of the wet tissue paper and put it in the handy bin that was beside the desk. Watching him pick up the journal, he shrugged a bit.
“Sorry, I didn’t spot it before. Woulda found you if I did.” he explained.

Colin enjoyed having Dakota in his class. It was clear one of his cliques were ‘Candy Cane’, an artist. He was a very good artist, and Colin was proud to have him in his class. Candy Cane… Good lord, who thought up these silly cliques? Sure, it added a tiny bit of spice into your life, but they were all rather confusing to remember. Did everyone in Hershey have one, even if they didn’t go to the school? What if the recently moved to Hershey, would they still get a clique? It was all rather confusing for Colin, so he thought no more of it.
“What’s up? Keep all your little secrets in there?” here we go. Dakota was always a quiet boy, and Colin didn’t really know why. He felt he didn’t need to know, people shouldn’t take things so seriously, especially if it was Colin talking.

“Names of all your soft toys, maybe?”

[Dakota Gairden]

It was just like Dakota to ignore people when they decided to speak to him. But he never said a word back. He found himself looking at the teacher with a brow raise but it soon turned into a slight glare. He didn't like people made fun of him carrying around a journal. He walked towards the door a bit steaming. He was close to fumming about the words used. Of course Dakota hated to speak, he usually took it and walked the other way. But something made him stop and turn to face the older man.

He had never spoke in his class, never to ask a question, never to ask for assistant. He was always getting excellent grades because of his focus. His eyes continued to glare at the older man. First off..you wouldn't have known it's mine because I do not write my name in it. Second of all, as a matter of fact I do hold many secrets in here. and Third, you don't ever want to know what's hidden in the pages. You'll be just like the rest, calling me crazy. It was all true though. Dakota was diagnosed with severe case of bi-polar and it was in his school record.

He coudln't believe he just bad mouthed a teacher. He was in a state of shock but didn't let it affect his body language or the way he continued to look at the professor. But it was true. When he first moved here, he was called crazy. He hated it but he delt with it because he never liked to lash out. Why now? Why did he choose now to lash out? He wasn't sure. Mayb eit was because he was tired of it.

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[Colin O'Sullivan]

Colin rolled his eyes, not even attempting to be subtle. So he was one of those quiet guys. ‘oh no, something happened when I was a kid, you should be afraid!’, ‘I write some emo stuff in here, you’ll think I’m weird!’. Colin was really sick of those types after seeing them around for a few years. He did have a point about the no name thing though. Shrugging, the art teacher smiled kindly to the student as if he hadn’t warned him about anything.
“Cool it, kiddo. You can’t tell me what I want and don’t wan’ t’know.” he explained. His name was Dakota… He was the one with the bi-polar disorder. Sure, perhaps he would be sick and twisted, but Colin didn’t mind. He had a strong stomach.

Walking towards the junior, hands in his pockets, he sat on the desk. The smile was still there. It’s not like kids didn’t badmouth him every day, and what Dakota said wasn’t terrible. He just did a warning was all. Usually it was the other way around, but sometimes Colin would be threatened by some druggies… As far as he knew, Dakota was no druggy. Just a small foreigner with good art skills.
“Now, Dakota. he said in a very joking-patronising voice. He knew he would probably never connect with the boy after this, but a few jokes weren’t that bad. Everyone needed to relax.
“Who’s on your death list first, eh?”

[Dakota Gairden]

Dakota's brow raised a first, watching his actions. He stood up straight just taking in his body language. Releived a bit when he seemed unaffected. After all they were in Hershey so Dakota began to actually focus and cancel out why he'd be freaked in the first place. His arms had moved to across his chest when he watched the older male take a seat on the desk. But what he said next made a face on confusion flicker on his expression. The question could be taken seriously or not. He didn't answer at first, just looked at him and calmed his thoughts.

It was a normal routine for Dakota to stay silent when thinking about a serious, or rather joking question like Colin had given. But it wasn't...really that bad. He found himself smiling after a bit and shrugged. Don't have one...I have a shit list..but not death...My journal is mostly full of story notes..random things that come to me that I want to use... His voice was calm when he spoke, collective as he seemed to have thought about his answer. He leaned back on the nearest table and continued to keep his eyes on him. This teacher had always never really bothered him, and he didn't hit him as an ass either. Hell, Dakota could possible find talking to him better than talking to the counselor he actually pays.

[Colin O'Sullivan]

He was silent. It wasn’t really the first time Colin said something wrong, and a small part of him was being unreasonable and expecting him to turn into the hulk and attack him. But it was a very tiny bit, seeing as Colin was a reasonably intelligent man. He could tell Dakota was lost in thought for a moment, but he wasn’t surprised. A boy like that… Well, the teacher didn’t really know how to finish that sentence. Staring at him, he spotted a small smile in his lips. Colin was mildly surprised.

Shit list? Ha! Colin smirked, scratchier his chin to stop himself from laughing out loud. A shit list was just as bad as a death list in Colin’s eyes. But, of course, the guy managed to get away with it because he was freaking bipolar. Crossing his arms across his chest again, Colin looked about his classroom, glancing at where Dakota usually sat, and then he looked back at Dakota. The junior was incredible at art.
“Story notes? You write as well?” he stated the obvious, but didn’t care, “Seems your creative streak just never ends.” he drawled sarcastically. Usually an artist was good at writing, which was what made the statement amusing in his eyes. It didn’t really need to be funny though for Dakota. So long as Colin amused himself.

he raised an eyebrow.
"How big is the shit list?"

[Dakota Gairden]

Dakota watched his eyes but didn't bother to follow them. He knew where he was looking. When he seemed rather annoyed to a point when Colin stated the obvious. He had always finished the art project with plenty of time to spare with the class and would get lost in his journal. It was the normal routine with him. He seemed to just listen and really pay no attention to the way his tone was. The last thing he needed was to get mad for no reason. He felt his phone vibrating in his jean pocket when Colin asked his question on how big his shit list was. He took out his phone and looked at who was calling. he placed it on ignore and shoved it back in. Not big enough He grumbled out.

His shit list only contained one person. His counselor. The man always got on his nerves, calling every time he was out of class. Jared had given him Dakota's schedule and it just made the teen even more upset. His life was a constant watch. His phone started again as he growled and looked at it. Again the same person. He looked at Colin. ..One sec. He answered the phone and spoke quickly with a rough voice. Stop calling damnit. I'll call you when I'm ready to talk. He hung up without waiting for an answer. It wasn't the first time he hung up on him. He sighed and shoved it back in his pocket.