Lisa
I drive the nail into the wood with one last hard hit with the hammer. Stepping back, I admire my work before dropping the hammer on the ground and grabbing my water bottle. I take some large swigs, gasping for air after. Today is a scorcher, with sweat profusely dripping down on me, but the doors on the stables needed to be replaced badly.
At least I have the shade inside of the barn instead of being outside, with the sun beating down on my back. I have been working in the barn all morning, replacing all the stable doors that were needed to be worked on for some time now. Taking a seat on a nearby stool, I scan my eyes across the barn, debating on what to work on next.
I hear the crunching of gravel in the driveway and Love jumps up, barking, going to see who's pulling into the driveway. I glance at the clock on the wall and decide that it's a bit early for mama and pop to be back from selling at the market today already so I get up, peeking out the barn door to see a black Range Rover parking.
Nini jumps out of the car, while slamming the door behind her. She strides towards the barn with purpose, her face hard, and serious. Love happily trots beside her, happy to see her and oblivious to her mood, but she's compassionate enough to give his head a quick pat before storming over to me, with her heels clicking on the floor of the barn.
"You're not going to photograph my wedding!?" she says, going straight to the point. She stops directly in front of me, while crossing her arms over her chest, with a challenge in her eyes.
I physically stumble back, surprised and completely caught off guard by her presence.
"Why, Lisa!?" she presses, with anger evident in her tone.
Wait, she's mad?
I open my mouth and close it, then open it again, but no words come out.
"Is it because of our history?" she asks, with her tone accusing. "Because if so, that's so immature and really unfair."
I shake my head, feeling like I just suffered from whiplash. "What?"
She groans in frustration. "You had Bambam tell Barbara that you just so happen to be busy that day. Come on, Lisa, do you really think I'm that stupid?"
"I already have plans that day, Nini." I lie.
"Bullshit!" she calls me out on my bluff. "Tell me then, what exactly are your big plans for that day?"
"That's none of your business!" I reply lamely, becoming defensive. I turn my back to her, going over to the work bench, pretending to be doing something.
"Because you have no plans for that day! You just don't want to shoot my wedding. Why!?" she demands, coming to stand behind me.
"Because I can't!" I grumble.
"But why!?"
"Why do you even want me to!!" I explode, whipping around so fast to face her, but she doesn't even flinch.
"Because!" she rebuttals. "You're so good at what you do, Lisa. So good. You're the best photographer in town and I'm not going to let our silly little past get in the way of this. If you're worried that it's going to be awkward, it's not. We're both grown adults that can handle this."
Silly little past. So, that's what she sees me as, her silly little past...
My temper flares.
"There are hundreds of photographers out there, Nini!! You can take your pick!"
"Yes, but they're not you!" she says, with her tone firm, but there's a hint of desperation behind it.
"Exactly! I don't even know why you want me to do this shit!!" I say, while brushing past her but she grips my arm.
