𝐓𝐨𝐦 𝐇𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐦𝐮𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬

Photo

I'm dazed out. Lost in my thoughtless thoughts. Chalk pinched between my fingers and it's gliding across the white paper.

I'm using my own memory, trying to remember every detail on his face.

One of his eyebrow's is brushed up, smaller lips, that one curl, sharper jawline.

I press a little too hard and a chip breaks off the chalk, I carefully wipe it away and hug my hoodie closer to my skin when I feel the wind rushing down my spine.

I shiver but my hands already moving again.

Shading. Blending. Scrubbing. Rubbing.

The only thing that snaps me out my daze is the click of a camera. My hand freezes and I lift my eyes before my head.

He's standing there with his camera up to his eye, he drops it when he notices I see him. It falls to the ground but he's frozen to the stop.

I'm standing up and storming towards him. His face is filled with fear and his hands are shaking at his sides.

I come face to face with him and there's no colour in his cheeks. I reach down, pick up the camera, I look at the screen which is scratched and see a photo of me, sitting on the bench I was just sitting on.

I look so focused on my drawing and my hands are stained black with chalk which I didn't even release.

"You like to take pictures, Parker?" I lift my head and he's shaking his head no. My eyebrows pinch and I tilt my head to the side.

"I-I mean— yes," He nods, runs a hand threw his hair, one curl falls. "No, sometimes, it's- it's for.... The yearbook."

"Th yearbook?" I repeat. He nods. "What's me drawing during my free period got to do with the yearbook, Parker?"

"The— The... art.... Club?" He leans back slightly like he's expecting I'm gonna hit him.

"I'm not in the art club."

"Oh.." His face drops. Just like his camera as I smash the heel of my boot into it.

"Take a photo of me without my permission again, it'll be your dick next."

He nods.

*

What am I doing. This is so stupid. I don't want to do this. But I'm knocking on his door anyways.

The door swings open and it's a women, she's young, maybe around the same age as my mom or younger.

"Oh, hello." She beams but confusion is plastered over her face.

"Does Peter live here?" I ask, my hands shoved into my hoodie pockets.

"Peter?" She repeats. I nod. She smiles wide. "Peter!!" She yells back into the apartment.

Suddenly he comes sliding down the hallways in a pair of hello kitty trousers and a long white shirt. I'm desperately trying to hold back my laugh.

He looks terrified when he sees me. But the women pushes him to the door and scatters away to a different room.

He stands frozen just starring at me. I sigh and reach into my jean pocket, he flinches until he sees what's in my hand.

"That's $200," I push it into his chest, it takes him a minute to take it. "I don't know how much cameras cost, if that's not enough I can get more."

"No- no," He shakes his head. "It's fine, you didn't have to pay me back."

"If I didn't my mom would have my head." I tuck my hair behind my ear. "I gotta get home. Later, Parker."

"Later.... Scout." His lips curve up into a smile.

"Don't call me that."

"Okay...."

________

Y'all sensing what I'm sensing?