Stargazer

Ascendant.

Ascendant: The Rising Sign. The degree at which the Zodiac rests over the horizon of the birthplace at the time of birth. The Ascendant represents the persona and image to the world.

I rubbed my face and slapped my cheeks to keep me awake.

It was currently two in the morning. I had been working non-stop since lunch. My head ached and my neck was sore from not stretching it enough.

I stood up to stretch my legs, pulling out my phone. I saw that my stalker photographer posted a few minutes ago, making me click on the lengthy caption:

Goldencloset: Hello my dear fans. Many of you noticed I haven't posted a photo in a while. I have lost my inspiration. Every time I post a photo, I merely end up deleting it. None of them stack up to my old pictures. I think I need to take a break from photography. I should start to focus on straightening up aspects of my life, and maybe then I can find it in me to take quality photographs again. I am sorry if I am disappointing any of you. I am disappointed too. Until we meet again- Goldencloset.

"What the hell?" I mumbled, clicking on his profile and sending him a message.

Taeger:
Stalker person, what the hell was your post about?

I was shocked to receive a response right away.

Goldencloset:
Was it not obvious? I'm taking a break. Maybe I'll get a real job. Maybe it will make it so I no longer have time to live, much less take photographs.

Taeger:
Jungkook, I just... I don't understand why you're suddenly taking a break.

Goldencloset:
Fine. You want honesty?
The picture that made my account blow up, and made me feel like I could actually make it as a photographer has left me with the name 'Stalker.' I never wanted to be that type of photographer.
I wanted to capture moments of beauty, of honesty, not moments of a fake reality.

Taeger:
You...
You're quitting photography because of me, and what I said?

Goldencloset:
Read.

Taeger:
Jungkook?

Goldencloset:
Delivered.

••••

I sat underneath my favorite tree for the third day in a row. The red, black, and white polka-dotted gift bag sat next to me on the grass.

I checked my phone, seeing that it had been over two hours. The sun was finally beginning to set, the stars beginning to overcome the remaining light, providing faint sparkles across the softening sky.

I leaned against the trunk of the tree with a sigh, wondering how much more time I would waste on waiting.

As the sun fully set on this side of the Earth, I knew I should give up.

I stood up, wiping any remnants of dirt off my butt before grabbing the gift bag.

As I went to take a step, I heard faint music playing from behind me. It was soft-sounding, washing me over with a sense of relaxation and meditation.

I squinted, searching through some of the darkness of trees, looking for the source.

The light of a phone in a set of hands illuminated his face, his handsome face. It was just who I was waiting for.

I cleared my throat, taking in a deep breath before approaching the male, who was sitting on a bench in the middle of some trees. It was a quaint spot, definitely one often steered clear from due to the lack of lighting shining through the trees.

When he heard me approach, his doe eyes met mine, and his eyebrows furrowed.

"Hey, Jungkook," I said softly, not wanting to disturb the softness of the air.

"What are you doing here?" He turned the music off.

"May I sit?" I pointed to the bench, watching as he hesitantly nodded, scooting over to give me enough room to sit comfortably.

The silence in the trees engulfed the two of us, almost lifting us up on the bench we sat upon, whisking us off into its silent prison.

"I've been here waiting for you," I stated quietly out of the blue.

His head turned to look in my direction.

"I got you something." I handed him the gift bag.

His delicate fingers fiddled with the red tissue paper. It's his favorite color, according to his "Let's Get Acquainted" post from several months prior.

"Why did you get me a gift?"

"Open it," I said, a faint smile playing on my lips.

With a sigh, he carefully removed the tissue paper, reaching in and grabbing the box, squinting to see what it was with the little lighting available.

I took my phone of my pocket, turning on the flashlight so he could read the words correctly.

"A new camera?" He asked, eyes wide.

"My apology to you. I'm truly sorry, Jungkook."

He shook his head. "No no no. This camera is wicked expensive! I can't accept this." He tried passing it back to me, but I merely tsked.

"It's yours. I can't return it anyways. I got a bonus with my work promotion, and decided to use the money to do some good."

"You.... you used your work bonus to buy me a new camera?" His fingers grazed the box softly. "A regular apology with words would've sufficed."

I chuckled, putting my hand on top of his as it rested on the box. "Don't give up on photography. I-I thought you were being creepy at first, I'll be honest. But as time progressed, I saw how purely talented you are. Your photographs are absolutely breathtaking. I had no right to shame you into giving it up. I want you to use this gift to take even better pictures."

His eyes filled with tears as I spoke. He gently set the box on the ground and wrapped his arms around my neck in a hug. "Thank you so much."

My hands rubbed indistinguishable shapes through the fabric of his shirt.

"I'm so sorry I hurt you, Jungkook."

He pulled away, wiping the remnants of his tears. "Could I... nevermind."

"No, go ahead. Could you what?"

Jungkook sighed, glancing down at his feet. "Could I test out the camera by taking a photo of you?"

"Of me?"

He nodded. "You're just... I feel like you make my pictures better. I don't know how to explain it."

I gave him a small smile. "If it helps my favorite photographer find his groove, then use me as your model all you want. With my permission."

He giggled and started unboxing his new device, the largest smile I've ever seen across his face.

•••••

Hi okay I'm in love with this chapter.