Dabbling In Sweetness

Chapter 28

The moment we had anticipated had finally arrived. When I reach the basement, Gina is the first to grab onto my hand, the most eager to see her photos. The basement was a decent size, especially since there weren't that many people in the club. Abacus and I had spent time after school helping them set everything up. No one had unveiled any of the photos yet, so people kept trying to lift the covers. There were a total of 8 people in the photography class but our promotion of it had many people waiting outside. Gina had squeezed through people just for us to make it to Matt's side. He had a few pictures up and ready to be displayed.

I caught Abacus' eyes as he stood in the center, and waved at him. He gives me a wink before clapping his hands. "Thank you all for coming," he starts his speech, "I know everyone here is grateful that you took the time to come and see the amazing photos they have been getting for months. They selected only a few but they all have small albums next to the bigger photographs with them, if you would like to see them." I turned to look at Matt's album, it was a simple silver one, but I know it held so much. "Everyone- you can unveil them."

Gina and I stand front and center as Matt reveals the photos, one by one, all in black and white. The first one is a picture of Gina with Link in a headlock as he flails his arms. The other one is a group photo where we all smiled, the day we first helped Gina with her film. It was one of the first times I met them, and I was sitting in the car. The rest were each of them in different places. Gina in her cheer outfit at a pep rally. Link in art class, holding up a paint brush. There was Matt shooting a basketball. There was Grayson standing in front of his motorcycle with his leather jacket, smoking. Lastly, this one was more recent and I didn't know how he was able to print it out so quickly, it was me standing in front of the bathtub with cold water and the gown.

"Matt, these look so great," Gina says, "I look amazing." Matt gives her a smile as he hands me the album.

I look at him in acknowledgment and start flipping through them. The photo that catches my attention is one I didn't even know existed. There was one of the first boxing match I had witnessed Grayson in. The moment he hid me from the world was captured forever in time. His face filled with fear and concern. I couldn't help comparing it to the one that followed. A chill ran down my spine as I looked at it in horror and wonder. It was the night at the carnival. Grayson was carrying an unresponsive me in his hands. His face was sweating at the effort he must have done by breaking the door. They had told me he was worried but seeing it, it felt different. He seemed to care a lot more than he gave. I touch my lips, if we had kissed, would it be different now? The hope that he liked me was strong.

I look for Grayson and see him and Link in the far side corner. Link was eating the food that was set up for everyone and Grayson was talking to Sienna. I wanted to run to him and give him a kiss because in the photo he looked like he cared so much. However, I didn't, because they looked so good together that it made my heart ache at the sight. I was getting angrier at him by the second. I felt that he was playing with me, but I had no right to be mad. It was frustrating at the moment, not knowing where he stood, not knowing where I stood. Grayson meets my eyes and gives me a simple nod. I didn't know when my feelings had shifted, but I knew they had. I was starting to see Grayson in a different light longer than I thought. I push the thought away and turn around to look at Abacus, the right guy. His smile was warm as he greeted everyone.

I turned back to the album and flipped the page. The same night, but now it captured more surroundings. I could see my ex-friend Lynett stand in horror, watching from the sidelines at the scene. But the most chilling part was the faint outline of the clown. I look at Matt and show him the photo. He looks as lost as if he didn't notice it. It was possible, I only noticed because I was looking for it.

All of a sudden, the light began to flicker. I looked around and noticed there was no one around me that I recognized. "Amelia," Gina yells but I can't find her as the lights go out completely.