The Edge Of Innocence

Crossing Paths

Sophie's POV

I can't stop thinking about him. Ryan Brooks. There's something about the way he carries himself—like the world owes him something but he doesn't expect to get it. It's dangerous, and I know I should stay away. But that's the thing about danger—it pulls you in when you least expect it.

After school, I head to the darkroom, my sanctuary. It's where I develop all my photos, where I can lose myself in the process of creation. The smell of chemicals is comforting, and the soft red glow of the lights makes the world feel far away. I hang up the photo of Ryan that I took earlier, watching as the image slowly comes to life in the developing tray.

He's even more intense on film. His eyes seem to stare right through the camera, right through me.

"Nice shot."

I jump, spinning around. Ryan is standing in the doorway, leaning against the frame with that same smirk from earlier.

"How did you—?" I stammer, heart racing.

"I saw you come in here," he says casually, stepping further into the room. "Didn't realize you were snapping photos of me, though."

"I wasn't—" I start to lie, but stop myself. He already knows. "I didn't mean to. It was just... a moment."

He raises an eyebrow. "A moment?"

"Yeah," I say quietly, feeling more nervous with every step he takes toward me. "You looked... lost. I thought it was worth capturing."

He stops just a few feet away from me, his eyes flicking to the photo hanging up behind me. "You don't know anything about me."

"I know enough," I whisper, though I'm not sure why I said that. I don't know him at all, really.

For a long moment, he just stares at me, his gaze heavy and unreadable. Then, finally, he steps back.

"Stay away from me," he says quietly, his voice low and rough. "You don't want to get involved in my life."

And just like that, he's gone.