Challenge Accepted

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Zion perspective

Photography Quote: "Taking pictures is savoring life intensely, every hundredth of a second."

― Marc Riboud

I let her be quiet. I let her just enjoy this moment in the hot tub. I want her to feel good tonight. I want her and I to have the romance we both carve. So, I'll wait till tomorrow to ask the questions she wants, and I'll do the same. We did the good before we did the serious and I know she came here for the opposite but we both couldn't help but give in. Could you blame us? We have been through so much; don't we deserve this moment?

***

We go to my bedroom once again after we take a shower. She's in another shirt of mine and I have black shorts on, not commando this time. I love seeing her in my shirts, I love when she's in my arms and I get to smell her sweet lemon scent mixed with my lavender shampoo. I lay a kiss on top of her head when she cuddles close to my chest. "I work tomorrow, so I'll be home a little late. But we can talk about whatever you want when I get home. I know you're not a morning person so don't worry, just make yourself at home ok" I travel my hand up and down her back.

"Ok" she says growling. She's tried and I can't help but laugh for making her feel this exhausted. I close my eyes when I see she has fully fallen asleep. I hope she doesn't have another nightmare. I want this to be the day where things start looking up for the both of us. I want this to be the right time and the right choice.

***

It's eight in the morning and my alarm on my phone rings. I quickly rolled over to stop it, making sure that the clock or I didn't wake Stella up. I successfully do both and Stella is still curled up in a ball under the covers. Her hair is a messy nest, and I can't help but sneak a picture of this moment. She's going to love her presents. I can feel the excitement in me as I get dressed to go downstairs and hop into my car. I pause then shoot a text to Stella. I left a note on the kitchen counter, but I want her to know I'm gone when she wakes up, that I'm still coming back. I'm teaching high school. There is much more fun than college kids and less experience and chill to teach. There's a couple who actually know and want to be photographers when they grow up. They are pretty good at it too, just need to be pushed here and out of their comfort zones. And learn more about the different types of settings. "You seem in a really good mood today" one of my seniors asks as he walks in class.

"Really?" I question his straight forwardness. I get along with some of these students on a personal level and his one of them. Highschool has their dramas and some students come to me to vent or just let loose around. I gave them permission the first day of school, so it doesn't bother me. It actually makes me smile; I really do care for these students. Some I feel worried about than the others because of some stuff they had confused me about. Others I'm happy for and excited to see them succeed in the future. Junior here is a kid that usually hangs around at lunch and is also wanting to be a Photojournalist when he grows up. I told him some stories of mine and I told him that I actually prefer teaching it. But it was still a nice experience, so I told him the truth. But I didn't tell him about my brother and the job I accepted. I leave that out because I'm still on the school campus and I don't tell anyone about that. Maybe Stella if she asks. Class was smooth and right after putting grades in. I head out and go to the bar. It's already open so that means Kevin is already here. My bar is an only night bar from 5pm-6am. Kevin is full time besides the couple days he takes off. He's always working, sometimes when he's not supposed to but he's fine, I'm grateful for him keeping this place alive. Floyd also works here but not as much as Kevin and me. Which is fine because he's mostly there when Kevin or I can't work for the night. Mostly me because I also work at a school. I walk in and I see both Kevin and Floyd. I smile at the busy bar, and they stare at me with curiosity. "Did the old man rat me out already?" They both nod with a smirk as they look at each other.