It’s ten minutes into the lesson already when I walk in, late note crumpled in my palm. I toss it and the teacher nods at me to sit. My usual spot is near Niki. He’s a part of the popular boys group, but he’s not as obnoxious as them, usually lingering around them with a smile and his AirPods in. Sitting next to him for years, i realized he has a habit of one- having his AirPods permanently in his ears, and two, he draws on himself like he’s breathing. Stars sometimes, comets sometimes. Cats, swans, flowers, dragons. Whatever it is, he does it with a level of care and patience reserved for worship. Today, he sits with his arms blank other than the black smudges of yesterday’s art, looking sour.