Through his eyes

15

I was standing in front of the arts room Ashley told me to meet her. I was peeking inside the room but there was no one there, I walked inside and took in my surroundings. The last time I was in the arts room was ages ago.

I walked towards the corner of the room what seemed to resemble a professional photo shoot, a black background with multiple lights surrounding the place and a chair in the middle.

"Oh, hey"
I heard somebody say and quickly turned around coming to view with a smiling Ashley.
"Hey." I greeted her back
"So Uhh how are we going to do this?" I asked since I didn't really know what she wanted from me
"Yea so, it's just gonna be a little photo shoot. Main topic; insecurities. Doesn't matter if you can see them or not" she said clasping her hands together

I don't really like taking pictures, I don't like looking at myself. It's mostly because I have the structure of my face from my dad but I look more like my mom - my mom who left me, with him.

But what did I got to lose?

"But let's talk a little before we start, sooo what are you insecure about?" She asked
Damn so blunt
"Okay uhm. I have scars on my body... from... fights" actually beatings from my own dad but she didn't had to know that

"Oh wow okay" she breathed out
"If it makes you feel better I also have a hugeee scar on my inner thigh. I had a little accident when I was younger" she said chuckling humourlessly

Meanwhile Ashley was fidgeting with her fingers I started removing my blouse from my body and pulled my shirt over my head. I heard coughing as I did so
"W-what a-are you doing?!" Ashley asked with wide eyes and slightly tinted cheeks
"I'm showing you what I'm insecure about. Isn't that what you need for the pictures?" I asked only clad in my black bottoms

"I- uhm- y-yeah sure" she said eyeing my body

•••

I was sitting on the stool waiting for Ashley to tell me what to do.
"Okay- I-I just need you to relax. Act as if the Camera wasn't there" she said smiling shyly,
I nodded and turned a little away from the camera.
"Ashley there was no-" a girl with subtle Asian traits entered the room but stopped as soon she saw us.

"Oh you're busy. I can come ba-"
"No! No, stay it's okay. Right Theo?" Ashley asked turning towards me
"Sure" I said

•••

Ashley had taken a few shots now but said she would have to take a little more so her options to decide from would be more.

"I have baby oil, we could use it" The girl that identifies as Mei said
"Yes we could. Are you okay with baby oil on your body?" Ashley asked me,

Baby oil on my body? Hm?
"Okay" I said shrugging, the stool is getting uncomfortable from time to time.
The girls started giggling and snickering, both of them walked towards me adding a little of that baby oil on their hands

"You okay with that?" Mei asked referring to them putting the oil on my body
Actually no
"Yes" I said calmly

Now I had four little hands all over my upper body, I watched closely where their hands were going since Ashley's hands liked to go way further down than actually needed, her hands stopped just below my bellybutton as they went back to my chest
"How did you even get all these blemishes?" Mei asked
"Fights" I said nonchalant, and she nodded with her head.

•••

"Thank you Theo, I owe you" Ashley said packing all her gadgets into different bags
"It's okay" I said putting my shirt back on.

We finished the shooting and put everything back in place. It was quiet since Mei left early and was basically the only one talking.

"So uhm" Ashley started
"Do you have any other plans today?" She asked
"...no" I said thinking if I had stuff to do
"Cool. Do you... I dunno maybe grab a milkshake together?" She asked fidgeting with her fingers.
"Sure, why not"

•••

I helped Ashley out of my truck earning a quiet 'thank you' from her.

We went inside one of the few 'vintage' diners people from our school would use to take pictures in.
They probably don't even eat here - they just come to take selfie's or whatever and leave.

Ashley ordered a vanilla strawberry milkshake meanwhile I decided to go for a simple chocolate milkshake.

"Have you and Peter always been so close?" Ashley asked me
I shrugged "I guess so"
"Isn't it tiring to live in his shadow? I mean don't get me wrong but-"
"-No it's okay. I get what you mean" I said cutting her off
"I don't like being the center of attention so I don't mind it. He's like a brother to me" I said calmly.

"You think the jukebox still works?" Ashley asked pointing towards a rusty looking jukebox
"I dunno" I said.
I noticed that Ashley started warming up to me, she would stutter less and even laugh with me.

She got up and walked towards the jukebox pushing a few coins inside. A few seconds later 'jailhouse rock' by Elvis Presley started playing. I had to keep myself from laughing as Ashley started moving her hips to the melody,
the other people in the diner started cheering and also laughing.

Her gaze held mine as she slowly walked towards me
"Dance with me" she said smiling brightly at me
"I can't" I said chuckling
Actually I can but no
"Cmon just this one song" she said taking both my hands and dragging me up.

I gave in and danced with Ashley, spinning her around, snapping my fingers and so on. The customers and waitress cheered for us, clapping their hands to the beat.
I haven't had this much fun in a long time.

•••

"I had really fun today" Ashley said,
I drove her home since she didn't her own car yet and I didn't wanted her to walk alone especially if it's this late.
"Me too" I said smiling at her
"We should hang out more often"
"I agree"

Ashley went on her tip toes and placed a kiss on my cheek, leaving me startled
"See you at school, Theo" she said smiling and quickly went inside her house.

I placed my hand on my cheek just where her lips were.

Uh oh