Only My Eyes Can See Red

Summary

In art class, the teacher told us to draw the sun.

I picked up a red crayon and dragged it across the heavy construction paper. Just one stroke.

Suddenly, the entire class turned to look at me. It happened in perfect, terrifying unison.

The warm smile on Mrs. Gallagher’s face died.

"Valerie," she asked, her voice tight. "Why are you drawing the sun red?"

I froze, the waxy stick hovering over the paper.

"Isn't the sun always red?"

The moment the words left my mouth, the classroom plunged into a suffocating silence.