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"You dida good job with the capturing the force of the model's pose," he said, his arms crossed solidly over his chest. "I remember you had trouble with that in your lastprojects."

Sammie nodded enthusiasticallywith stars in her eyes. She looked enchanted to have received a compliment from Parker Leipold. Kell privately rolled hiseyes.

"Thank you, Parker,"Professor Young said. "Anyone else? No? Alright. Next is... Parker. Let'ssee."

The class movedto Parker's triptych. Professor Young chuckled to himself as he examined the work, like he was in disbelief of what he was seeing. He turned to face the class. "Well. Not to say I'm surprised, given the quality of work Mr. Leipold has produced over the quarter. But I must say, I'm impressed. Very impressed. I can feel the energy behind every brush stroke, the vitality. I would say it has an almost Van Gogh quality to it, but that wouldn't give you enough credit for youroriginality."

"Thank you, Professor,"Parker said. He didn't smile, just nodded slightly. It seemed to Kell like Parker had been expecting the praise. Perfect, asusual.

"Anyone have a critique for Parker?"

"It's so beautiful,"Andrew said. Andrew was an omega, and it was obvious to Kell that he had the hots for Parker. How anyone could have the hots for someone so damnicywas beyond him. The guywasphysically attractive, he couldn't deny that. But beyond that... He was just a stuck-up jerk. Kell thought so, anyway. "Ilovewhat you did with their eyes," Andrew went on. "It feels like you can see their souls. Like they're alive. I think what you've done isamazing."

Parker noddedin acknowledgement but said nothing. Kell wished he could come up with a critique for Parker's project, but there was nothing he could say. Perfect, asusual.

Professor Young wentaround the room, continuing the critique session. For each project, Parker had something to say. Nothing too complimentary, but generally positive and constructive. Jessie's project got an all-around good response, and Kell exchanged a grin with her. "Good job," he whispered toher.

"Thanks,"she replied. "You'reup."

The class gatheredaround Kell's paintings, murmuring with approval at what they saw. Professor Young did his examination routine, taking it in at a distance and then up close. He nodded to himself and pointed towards the firstpainting.

"Lovely lighting here, Kelly,"he said. "Beautifully rendered. Very naturalistic. Excellent work, asalways."

"Thank you, sir,"Kell said,pleased.

"Comments on Kelly's work?"

There wasa murmur of general agreement that he'd produced some gorgeous work. Jessie complimented his technical prowess in the rendering of the figure's anatomy. Andrew said that he appreciated the subject matter. Then, Parker spokeup.

"It's not your best work,"he said, coolly, and Kell felt a knot rise in his throat. "Technically it's sound," Parker went on, "but the composition is uninspired. The way they're just holding their pregnant bellies, looking slightly away from the viewer. It feels distant. There's no courage. I get the sense you were afraid of something, like you were afraid to dive in all the way and engage themodels."

Professor Young stroked his chin,and looked back at the paintings, like he was verifying something he'd missed. "Response to that, Kelly?" heasked.

Kell crossedhis arms over his chest to hide the fact that he'd balled his hands into tight, white-knuckled fists. He felt his face going hot with embarrassment. He shouldn't have been embarrassed. It was a critique. He could take critiques—hehadto be able to take them, it was the only way to improve. But hearing it coming from Parker's mouth had his heart pumping with irritation. He knew everything that Parker had said was completely accurate. What he'd not so long ago thought was his best now crumbled before him, all the flaws now completelyevident.

He shook his head. "No,"hesaid.

No courage.Afraid.

Dammit,that'd cut deep. It was so accurate. How was it that Parker could see all that so clearly, just from looking at the painting? Because it was completely true, and Kell knewit.

The class turned awayfrom his painting, leaving him stewing in frustrated irritation. Parker walked away, without so much as another word of acknowledgement to Kell. It was like he'd come by just to destroy him. Maybe he shouldn't have been surprised. It wasn't the first time that Parker had done that to him. He always seemed to have a harsh word to say about Kell's work. He always seemed to be looking down on him. And yet, Kell had never said a word about it. He'd only ever just stewed about it, like he wasnow.

No courage.

That’d always beenhis problem. He wasn't the most assertiveperson.

"Jeez,"Jessie said quietly to Kell. "That was a littlerough."

"It was true,though, and I didn't even know it," Kell grumbled. "He totally saw right throughme."

"Good work completing your projects,"Professor Young said. "That's all the time we have for today. Next class we'll be discussing the marketing design project that we have coming up next. Please leave your work up so that the lower division classes can take a look at them, and I'll see youlater."

The class filledwith discussion and the sound of backpacks and portfolio cases being zipped up and closed. Some people hung around to check out the artwork, and of course Parker's display had a large crowd around it. People were even taking photos of them. Parker, however, wasn't sticking around. He hugged his portfolio case underneath his arm and slung his backpack over one shoulder and headed out of theroom.

"Wanna grab some lunch?"Jessie asked, yawning. "Critiques always make mehungry."

Kell watchedParker disappear out the door, his critique still burning in his mind. He hated that he always had nothing to say to Parker. He hated that he always just took it from him. Why the hell was he the only person in the class that Parker had something really critical to sayabout?

They left the room.Down at the end of the hallway, he saw Andrew run up to Parker and stop him, no doubt to continue gushing to him about his paintings. Kell stopped. Dammit, he was tired of this shit. He had to speak up thistime.

"I'll catch up with you,"he told Jessie, and strode down the hallway towardsParker.