Through the Lens of Love

Chapter two

The professor announced the pairs during class, and Fletcher felt his heart skip a beat when he heard Mia's name paired with his. Mia turned to him with a small smile, expression unreadable, but there was a hint of something in those eyes-was it curiosity? Maybe even excitement?

"Looks like we'll be working together," Mia said as they gathered their things after class.

"Yeah, looks like it," Fletcher replied, trying to keep his voice steady. He wasn't sure what to say next, but the project was the perfect excuse to spend more time with Mia, and he wasn't going to waste the opportunity.

They decided to meet up the next day to brainstorm ideas. Mia suggested a local park that had been a frequent spot since childhood, a place full of memories and, according to Mia, full with life aswell. Fletcher agreed, seeing the potential for a story in the location, but also eager to learn more about the place that was clearly so important to Mia.

The next Wednesday, they met at the park. It was a warm day, the sun casting shadows through the leaves, the air thick with the scent of blooming flowers. Mia seemed to relax as soon as they arrived, usual guarded demeanor softening when talking about the park, pointing out favorite spots and the places where some of the first photographs had been taken.

Fletcher listened, fascinated not just by the park, but by the way Mia spoke about it. He could see how much the place meant to Mia, and it deepened his admiration even more. They spent the afternoon exploring the park, snapping photos of everything from the children playing on the swings to the elderly couple feeding the ducks at the pond.

As they worked, Fletcher found himself opening up more than he had anticipated. Mia had a way of drawing him out, making him feel comfortable, and before he knew it, he was telling Mia about his own journey with photography, how it had started as a hobby but had quickly become his passion.

Mia listened intently, eyes never leaving his as he spoke. Mia could hear the passion in his voice, the way he spoke about it. It was then that Mia realized just how much they had in common, how alike they were in the sense thag they sought capture the world around them.

The more time they spent together, the harder it became for both of them to ignore their growing feelings. They worked on their project almost every day, meeting at the park to take photos and then heading to the library or a café to review their work and plan their next steps. Their conversations grew longer, their silences more comfortable, and Fletcher found himself looking forward to their meetings with an anticipation that he hadn't felt before.

Weeks passed, and their project took shape, becoming something they were both proud of. But as the deadline for the project approached, Fletcher found himself facing a different kind of deadline-the one he had set for himself. He had promised himself that he would ask Mia out before the project was over, that he wouldn't let this chance slip away. But every time he thought about it, his nerves got the better of him. What if Mia didn't feel the same? What if it ruined everything?

Mia, on the other hand, was completely oblivious to Fletcher's inner turmoil. A change had been noticed in Fletcher over the past few weeks, a certain hesitancy that wasn't there before, but Mia had attributed it to the pressure of the project. Mia hadn't allowed much thought to personal feelings, not wanting to complicate things between them.

But all that changed one evening as they were reviewing their final set of photos. They were sitting in the library, the table between them covered with prints and notes. Mia was leaning over a photo, explaining why it captured the essence of the park.
Mia looked up, frowning in confusion at Fletcher. Waving a hand in front of his face Mia called out

"Fletcher?" He was staring at Mia, expression unreadable.

"Are you alright?" Mia asked, head tilted to the side.

Fletcher blinked, realizing that he had been caught staring. He felt his heart race, the words he had been rehearsing in his mind suddenly vanishing. But he knew this was his chance, that if he didn't say something now, he might never have the courage to do it again.

"Huh, yes I'm okay" he said snapping out of the daze. "There's actually something I've been wanting to tell you" he said clearing his throat.

Mia's brow furrowed slightly, concern flickering in those eyes. "What is it?"

Fletcher took a deep breath, forcing himself to meet that steady gaze.

"I..." he began. "I like you, Mia. I have for a while now. I didn't want to say anything before because I didn't want to make things awkward, but...I can't keep it to myself anymore."

Mia's eyes widened in surprise, heart skipping a beat as his words sank in. This wasn't expected, hadn't even allowed hope for it, but now that it was happening, a rush of emotions was felt, too jumbled to sort through.

"You...like me?" Mia repeated, voice almost a whisper.

Fletcher nodded, his nerves getting the better of him now.

"I understand if you don't feel the same way, and I'm sorry if this makes things weird between us, but I just couldn't keep pretending that I didn't have feelings for you."

Mia was silent for a moment, mind racing. Heart pounding, mind oddly blank. But as Mia stared, in no less than disbelief, at Fletcher, Mia realized the lies and deceit that had taken hold of their mind. Mia had tried to ignore the feelings, to push them aside, but they had been there all along, growing stronger with each passing day.

"I like you too, Fletcher,"