One-on-One

Chapter 15: Cracks In The Surface

The next few days flew by in a blur of preparations for Amira's photography project. The weight of her argument with Zyair lingered, but the prospect of working with Jordan filled her with renewed excitement. She found herself daydreaming about their upcoming session, her heart racing at the thought of capturing his essence through her lens.

Amira met Jordan at the photography studio, the room buzzing with energy—cameras clicking, laughter ringing out, and the faint smell of paint and developing fluid lingering in the air. Sunlight streamed through the large windows, casting soft shadows that danced across the polished wooden floor, making the space feel alive as she set up her camera, glancing at Jordan, who was leaning casually against a wall, a playful smile on his lips.

"Ready to be my muse?" Amira teased, trying to lighten the mood.

Jordan chuckled, his eyes sparkling. "Only if you promise to make me look good."

"Please, you wouldn't need me to do that," Amira replied, feeling a blush creeping up her cheeks. She adjusted the camera settings, focusing intently on her task, but her mind kept drifting back to the connection they shared.

"Seriously, though," Jordan said, his tone shifting to something more sincere. "What do you wanna capture about me?"

Amira paused, her heart fluttering. "I want to show the real you—the guy who's thoughtful and funny, not just the artist and photographer everyone sees. There's more to you, and I want to find it."

Jordan nodded, his expression softening. "I like that. Let's do it."

They started the shoot, Amira directing Jordan to pose in different ways. As she clicked the shutter, she found herself drawn to the way he moved, the natural confidence he exuded. With each shot, she felt a deeper connection forming, as if they were peeling back layers of each other.

"Okay, let's try something different," Amira suggested, lowering her voice to create a more intimate atmosphere. "How about you tell me about something you're passionate about?"

Jordan hesitated for a moment, the light in his eyes dimming slightly. "I mean, aside from photography? I really love music. It's always been a big part of my life."

"Really? What kind of music do you listen to?" Amira asked, genuinely curious.

"Everything, honestly. But I've been getting into producing my own stuff lately," he confessed, a hint of pride in his voice.

"Producing? That's amazing! Why didn't you tell me before?" Amira exclaimed, her excitement bubbling over.

Jordan shrugged, looking a little bashful. "I didn't think it was that big of a deal. I'm just experimenting, you know? Trying to find my sound."

Amira could see the passion igniting in him, the way his body shifted as he spoke. "Can I hear some of it?"

"Maybe one day," Jordan replied, a shy smile on his lips, but there was a flicker of uncertainty in his eyes, as if he were guarding something he wasn't ready to share. Amira felt a twinge of curiosity—what was he holding back?—but pushed it aside, captivated by the warmth of their moment.

As the shoot continued, Amira felt herself getting lost in the process, the noise of the studio fading into the background. It was just her and Jordan, and every click of the camera felt like a heartbeat shared between them. She could sense the chemistry building, the air thick with unspoken tension.

After they wrapped up, Amira lingered for a moment, reviewing the shots on her camera. Each image captured not just Jordan's playful side but also a glimmer of something deeper. Was this really happening? She took a deep breath, her heart still racing as she glanced at Jordan, feeling as if time had paused just for them.

"I can't wait to edit these. You were incredible!" she said, her excitement palpable.

Jordan grinned, leaning closer. "You really think so?"

"Definitely. You brought so much life to it," she replied, her voice softening. "I can't believe I almost settled for Zyair. This is what I needed. I mean— this project needed."

He smirked. "Yeah, it's good to find someone who gets you," Jordan said, his gaze lingering on her. Amira's heart raced at the intensity of his stare.

Just then, Amira's phone buzzed with a message from Jada. "Girl, you still good for lunch later? Need to spill some tea!"

"Speaking of getting someone, I've got to meet up with Jada," Amira said reluctantly, glancing at her phone. "But this was amazing, Jordan. Thank you for being a part of it."

Jordan nodded, his expression a mix of warmth and something deeper. "Anytime. Just let me know when you want to shoot again."

As she left the studio, Amira couldn't shake the feeling of anticipation that hung in the air. There was something electric about her connection with Jordan, something she hadn't experienced before. The thought of him lingered in her mind, overshadowing her previous feelings for Zyair.

Later, over lunch with Jada, Amira found herself recounting the day's events with excitement. "So, I switched my project to Jordan, and it was amazing. We really connected, and I captured some great shots."

Jada raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on her lips. "Sounds like sparks are flyin'! What's the deal with you and Jordan?"

"We just friends, but It feels different with him, like he really sees me," Amira admitted, feeling a thrill at the thought.

"Yeah, well, if Zyair's still in the picture, maybe it's time to kick him to the curb," Jada suggested, her tone light, though Amira caught a fleeting shadow in her eyes that left her wondering. "You deserve someone who lifts you up, not someone who treats you like a trophy."

Amira paused, surprised by Jada's sudden shift in opinion. "B-but I thought you liked Zyair. You were all for me being with him before."

"People change, Amira. And honestly? I just think you two are on different wavelengths," Jada replied, her voice a touch too sharp. "Let's not focus on him. You have something exciting happening with Jordan!"

The sudden shift felt strange, and Amira hesitated, noting the way Jada's fingers tightened around her drink as if she were holding onto something unsaid. Just then, Jada's phone buzzed, and she glanced at it with a flicker of something—was it anxiety?—before quickly tucking it away. "J-just my mom being dramatic again," she laughed, but Amira sensed the tension lurking beneath her words.

Amira felt a mix of gratitude and confusion. "You really think so?"

"Absolutely. You need to focus on what makes you happy, not what looks good on paper. You're not just a project for him; you're so much more," Jada encouraged, her sincerity shining through.

"Okay, I hear you," Amira said, her mind racing with possibilities. "It's just hard to let go sometimes."

"I get that. But trust me, you'll thank yourself later," Jada replied, a knowing smile on her lips. "And if you're feeling this way about Jordan, why hold back?"

"Yeah, you're right," Amira agreed, feeling lighter with each word. "Maybe I need to embrace what's real."

As they continued their conversation, Amira realized she was stepping into a new chapter, one where she could explore her feelings without the weight of expectations. With newfound determination, she felt ready to delve deeper into her connection with Jordan, knowing that whatever happened next would be hers to shape.

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Word count: 1208

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