Guns For Hands: A Violent Haven

Chapter 6

Harry’s POV

I sighed, looking at the 40+ pictures on my camera that we took in one sitting. I was home now. Emerson’s mom had come home, and she saw me and her lovely daughter. Em’s mom looked like she’d seen a ghost of some sort. I guess she wasn’t used to seeing Emerson have friends over, or something. It could have also been the kiss, but I didn’t ask. After the polite hello, I immediately made my retreat through the front door like a normal person would.

After getting to my place, I went straight up to my room to print the pictures. That’s basically all that was left to do for the project. I could easily do it myself, there was no need for Emerson to come over here. I never gave her the option to do so.

I couldn’t choose from the 40 different pictures, so I decided to just print them all and turn it into some messy but in some way beautiful collage. I mean that in the most not cheesy way possible. My mind was set on finding one picture in particular as I connected my camera to the computer.

When all of the photos printed, I was able to find the picture I was looking for with ease. It stood out among the others in a peculiar manner, kind of like she did. I believe that if a picture is good enough, the person looking at is desperately wants to know the story behind it. That’s exactly how I felt staring at this picture of Emerson and I taken just before we kissed. Yes, we kissed, but it was strictly for the development of art. On the other hand, I’m grateful to have shared a moment like that with her, and I’m grateful that I know the story behind the picture.

*******************************************FLASHBACK**********************************************

Cardiac Arrest by Bad Suns was playing off of my phone. Music helped both her and I relax, and just, well, take pictures.

“Okay, how many more do we have to take?” She asked, looking at me from across the room. I was standing behind the camera getting ready for the next shot.

“Uh,” I had to think about my answer. “Two more should be good.” We had already taken more than enough photos, but there were still some elements that I wanted to capture. I wanted to get at least one of those moments that makes you lose your breath when you think about it.

She nodded in response, probably worried about her mom showing up. I don’t really see what the big deal is, but whatever. I set the timer again. and quickly made my way next to the window to where I positioned her. The timing had to be perfect for this next one.

“Okay, now look me in the eyes,  we’re going to kiss,” I spoke quickly, under the pressure of the timer.

I saw her about to say something against the idea. “Don’t think, just do it, I brush my teeth every single day,” I said, trying to make her laugh. The camera made a clicking noise, and I suspected that it caught her smiling with her face extremely close to mine. I set the camera timer to take four photos with 10 second breaks in between.

She looked confused, but I just kept leaning in. Then, she quickly caught on to the fact that there would be more pictures taken. I wanted this one to be serious, so I didn’t say a word. I got close enough to her lips so that mine were touching hers. Click. The picture was taken.

“Count to ten,” I said, inches away from her face.

She immediately began to count. “One...Two…Three...Four….Five….Six...Seven….Eight…”

I cut her off right there, and allowed my lips to touch hers. At first she was shocked, but then settled in the kiss in the most cliche way. Click.

I stayed there for a second, and then pulled away just to look at her face. She was looking back at me, but then her eyes averted to the doorway. When I turned to see what was there, I saw her mother just standing there. Click.

*********************************************END*****************************************************

As I arrange all the folders on a posterboard I bought on the way home, I am impressed. I placed the photos in the perfect way, and it actually doesn’t look tacky. The pictures with the most real emotion are in the center, including the last four photos I took. They all came out really good, especially the one that took when her mum came in. You can literally see the fear on both of our faces. I wasn’t scared or anything, it was just an in the moment thing. I’m glad to have captured it.

I took a picture of the project and sent it Emerson. I was able to get her phone number from her cell when she wasn’t looking.  

She really did sort of open up to me while we were at her house. I found out what her favorite tv show was. She was shocked to hear that I had never watched it. Emerson also mentioned that one of the actors in it, Evan Peters apparently, is very attractive. She said it like it would benefit me somehow.

Jesus, I needed to take a break from this, from her. I needed to clear my head because this obsession was becoming unhealthy. I need time away.

I looked at the time. It was only about 9pm. I turned off the lights in my room, grabbed my phone and opened the Netflix app and searched for “American Horror Story.” Season one was called Murder House...interesting.