"So, anything fun this Saturday?" Amy asked between spoonfuls of cereal.
"Well, actually, yes. I have this photography workshop at the university I enrolled in, right after my morning shift." Faye sipped her coffee and glanced at the time. "And then I'm meeting Kurt. He's leaving tomorrow for LA."
"Now that's nice. Are you gonna be able to catch the recording sessions?"
"I hope so," she replied, leaning down to give Amy a quick kiss on the cheek before grabbing her bag. "Safe trip to Olympia. Love you!"
As Faye headed out the door, the day stretched ahead of her. Her shift was routine but quick, her excitement for the workshop fueling her. Photography had always fascinated her, but she never really took the time to pursue it seriously. The family camera growing up, and later the one she'd gotten for Christmas at 15, were mostly used for casual snapshots of friends or random moments. She had an eye for things, sure—but it was more intuition than understanding the technical side of things. Lenses, film types, ISO, aperture, focus—it all used to feel like an entirely different language. She admired the world of photography from afar, always a little too intimidated to dive in deeper.
When the session started, she was surprised at how quickly things began to click. The instructor broke down the basics—how to control light using the aperture, the importance of shutter speed in capturing movement, and how ISO settings affect image quality. Faye learned how to balance exposure, adjusting these three factors like the legs of a tripod. She'd been playing with these elements for years but had never realized the science behind them. Understanding focal lengths and how different lenses could change the perspective of an image felt like unlocking a door she hadn't realized was closed. Armed with her newfound knowledge, she couldn't wait to start experimenting with her own camera.
It was nearing dusk when she stepped outside the campus building, scanning the area for Kurt. He appeared by the entrance, hands tucked into the pockets of his worn jacket, waiting for her.
"So now what, you're a photographer?" he teased, watching her fiddle with the camera in her hands.
She wasted no time pointing the lens at him, quickly adjusting the focus and snapping a photo.
"Hey!" Kurt protested, shielding his face with a laugh.
"Oh, c'mon, I couldn't resist it!" she chuckled, snapping a few more shots.
She stepped closer, lowering the camera and leaning in to kiss him softly on the lips. "Besides, who knows how much these are gonna be worth one day?"
Kurt raised an eyebrow, smirking. "Oh, so now you're banking on me becoming famous, huh?"
"Not banking on it," she traced her finger along his jawline, "just... preparing for it."
He shook his head, wrapping an arm around her waist as they began to walk. "Well, let's just hope your photos don't become the reason people make fun of me in a few years."
Faye giggled, leaning her head against his shoulder as they wandered down the sidewalk, the quiet campus now emptying as the evening settled in. She felt light—more present than she had in weeks, enjoying the simple moments of playfulness between them.
"How was the workshop?" Kurt asked. "Good, I suppose."
"Honestly? It was really cool," Faye said, excitement lacing her voice. "I finally get why people geek out over lenses and film. It's like... I've been doing this stuff without understanding why it worked, and now it just makes so much more sense."
"That's awesome, Faye. Photography is such a beautiful art." Kurt smiled softly, his fingers absentmindedly brushing against hers.
They continued walking, the city blending into the background as they talked about her workshop, his upcoming trip to LA, and the wind of change hovering around them both. The conversation was easy, no shadows hanging between them, no arguments simmering beneath the surface. Just this moment—simple, light, and filled with the warmth of being together.
YOU ARE READING
Perfumed Secrets | Kurt Cobain
FanfictionFaye Carter embarks on a journey to university. Her pursuit of self-discovery converges with Seattle's underground music scene, a fortuitous encounter that brings her face-to-face with Kurt Cobain, a captivating and unpredictable musician. Their mag...