Picture This.

[1]

Click. Snap. Everyone's cameras are going off at the same time, using the same boring angle. If I want my picture to stand out among the class, I'll need a new approach. A different angle with a good filter and light editing would really make the stupid flower stand out. 

This is an advanced photography course - they couldn't have given us a more challenging subject? 

Apparently another student is wondering the same thing because now Charlotte, our teacher, is going on and on. "A flower, though seemingly simple, is actually extremely complex in its own way..." Yeah, yeah, yeah, blah, blah. I take the opportunity to try out new angles. 

When Charlotte is done speaking, I step back from the flower with my Nikon in hand to let my other classmates have a turn taking pictures. 

"Done so soon, Addison?" Charlotte asks, standing beside me. 

"I took while you spoke." 

"Suddenly you're too good for my lessons?"

"You have taught me well, Charlotte." 

She laughs, a light feathery laugh that I like to hear. "You're right.  Lets just hope that you deliver." 

That shouldn't be a problem. 

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

I know that I'm good at taking pictures. Whether it's people or animals or food or flowers. I can do it. I'm editing my photos from class today, and they may be some of the best I've ever taken. But, then again, I am a little bias. 

"Hey-o," my roommate Chrisanthi sticker her head in the door. "We're going to a party at one of the Frat houses, you in?" 

I glance at my computer, biting my lip. "Nah. I'm going through pictures. Think I'll stay in tonight." 

Chrisanthi sighs, coming all the way into the room. "You love parties." 

"You can't guilt me into it. I've made my decision." 

She sighs again. "Fine. But you'll miss the beer and the guys." 

I smile.e "Thanks for the invite, though. It's appreciated. Really." 

"That sounded a tiny bit sarcastic," Chrisanthi frowns. When I grin even wider, she rolls her eyes. Of course it was sarcastic. You're you." 

"Be careful. Don't talk to anyone creepy and always have a buddy!" 

"Okay, mom. I'm disappointed, Smith. You're losing your edge." 

I gasp, feigning offence. "I just pour it all into the photos." 

"That was deep, Rocket. So deep I can't even see you anymore." 

The nickname Rocket was given to me a few weeks into my attendance at RISD. I was still rebellious and looking to prove myself to everyone. With a couple other people we went and set off bottle rockets -- idea courtesy of me. Hence Rocket as a nickname. Very few people call me Rocket. 

"While I'm gone try to find some good music. Like music from this decade." Chrisanthi says. 

"My taste is popular." 

"Yeah, for people my parents age." 

"Not sure if Bieber is one to be proud of. Get out, I'm trying to work." 

"We'll miss you out here, Rocket." Chrisanthi sighs, backing out of the room with her eyes still trained on me. She wants me to change my mind. 

"I'm not coming." I roll my eyes. 

When she finally leaves, I turn my attention to my pictures on my laptop. I get about five minutes of work done before a Skype call comes in on my laptop. I groan, seeing it's my sister, Emma. I click accept. 

Em shows up on the screen sitting at the dinner table, over a bowl of Mac and Cheese. "Hi." I sing. "What do you want?" 

"I'm here alone." Emma shrugs. 

"Where's mom and dad?" 

Emma blinks. "Where do you think they are?" 

"Lets see... Dad's in a surgery and mom's either working her shift or working another shift just because." 

"Correct. She's picking up lots of extra ER shifts lately." 

"I'm sorry, Em. I wish I could be there. But, hey, soon right?" 

Emma sighs. "Me too. I miss him." 

I smile sadly. "I do too, Munchkin." 

"Munchkin?" Emma's face lights up. "Haven't heard that nickname in months." Then her expression falls again. 

"Sorry. It just came out." 

"It's okay. D ad doesn't call me Munchkin anymore and you-know-who isn't here." 

"Why don't you say his name, Em?" 

"Mom never says it." 

"J is gone," I say lowly. "Johnny is gone. He's not coming back." 

"I'm glad you've accepted that, Addie. Listen, I have to go. Homework and stuff." 

"Okay. Take care of yourself, yeah?" 

"You too, Monster." Emma smirks. 

Monster and Munchkin, two nicknames pinned on us by our brother Johnny. Emma hangs up the call. I go back to my pictures, but then get bored of it and ed up switching to check on my Tumblr. 

I run a photography blog on the site -- the username ExternalxFlames has been taken by me. I manage to post daily, despite Charlotte's photography class, and all my other classes, being pretty time consuming. Alongside photography, I'm taking classes in History, Philosophy and The Social Sciences (AKA the acronym HPSS), as well as Literary Arts. As for extracurricular activities, I tutor some younger students in the classes. Here at RISD we don't have any of the good sports. We don't have a football team. Instead there's things like ping pong and fencing. Every Friday night that isn't spent at a Frat/Sorority party, is spent down on the soccer field that doesn't get much use otherwise. We go down and play stupid games of soccer with made up rules until it gets too dark to see our feet. Then we trek back to our dorms and pray that we don't get caught. Not like it's that big of a deal -- they're not very strict on curfews. 

The college experience is amazing so far. It's this whole new level of freedom that I've never experienced before. Growing up we lived what I've heard to be called a privileged life. Our father a surgeon, our mother a doctor as well meant that they both made good money. We grew up in a gorgeous house. To outsiders we had everything, but no, that wasn't the case at all. 

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

here's the first official chapter of Picture This! Let me know what you think of it! 

not much is told about Addison, and that's how it's supposed to be. Slowly bits and pieces of her will be revealed. She's supposed to be 100% emotionally strong. Her past is what contributed to her being that way. All will be revealed.