When Stars Align

Chapter 19

I consider myself a realistic person. If something is going on in my life, if I'm trying to accomplish something, or even if I'm just wanting of something, I do believe that I'm realistic about my chances or the odds of a good outcome. I don't let myself dwell on the what ifs or get myself overly excited too early.

That being said, this photography competition is completely different.

I'm currently pacing back and forth in my bedroom waiting for the phone call to tell me if I've won or not and all I can think about is how to react when they tell me that I've lost.

Don't get me wrong, I know that my photos are good. I just don't think that they're good enough to win. I've found myself spending many evenings in the past few days agonizing over little faults in my pictures and I've now fully convinced myself that I don't have even a slight chance of winning.

Having the idea that I'm not going to win, I've fully prepared myself for this outcome. In my mind, I've already lost, so at least I won't be surprised. I also made sure that no one knows that today is the day that the results are announced, so I can process the phone call alone and tell people when I'm ready.

It's been hard keeping this to myself. Everyone knows I've entered the competition, but I've been very hush hush about the timeline of it all. It's too much pressure having people constantly ask questions and ask for updates, so I figured this way was best.

Luckily, I've had quite a lot distraction from the competition this past week. It's been hard to focus on picking apart every detail of my photos when I'm busy meeting up with my girlfriend practically every night.

Jamie certainly makes sure that the only thing on my mind when we are together is her, and I wouldn't want it any other way.

Just last night as we were sitting on her couch watching a movie I picked out, Jamie paused the movie half way through and dropped to her knees in front of me and whispered into the dimly lit room, "I just can't wait to taste you any longer" and there was not a single other thought in my brain other than her for the rest of the night.

Once I arrived back at my house this morning after an impromptu sleepover at Jamie's, I've been a nervous wreck about this phone call.

I continue pacing until I hear my phone buzzing with an incoming call.

Oh Yoba, okay I can do this. Everything will be fine, I got this.

Using my shaking hand, I grab my phone and clear my throat.

"Hello?" I answer, trying to sound calm.

"Hello, may I speak to miss... um ," a male says while presumably trying to find my name, "ah right, miss Haley." He corrects.

"Yes, I'm Haley" I answer quickly.

Okay, that can't be a good sign. He didn't even know my name. Not only is it annoying, but also quite unprofessional to not know the persons name you are contacting.

"I'm calling regarding the photography competition that you have participated in. We have the results if you have a few minutes to chat?" The male speaks in a calm and cool manner making it impossible to tell if this will be a good or bad chat.

"Yes I'm free to talk. Please go ahead" I say as I sit on the edge of my bed, bracing myself for what comes next.

"Excellent," he starts. "Everyone was very impressed with how you experimented with lighting and the way that you really used these pictures to tell the story of your town. You painted it in a light that not everyone would see and we thought that was quite moving. You certainly have an eye for beauty and you can clearly find the beauty in most things, and that is a special ability to have, miss Haley." His voice trails off as I hear him rustling through pages.