The White Lie

Chapter 5

I unlocked Indie's car, unzipping my bag and grabbing out my camera. I slung it around my neck and headed off behind the cafe. Once I rounded the cafe, I stood taking in my surrounds. Behind the building stood hundreds and hundreds of tall trees, forming a small forested area. Perfect. I'll show Indie what a few photos at a small roadside cafe can do. I took the lens cap off my camera and studied the area for a moment, trying to pinpoint some of the best spots to begin photographing. Finally, I posed several metres away from the trees, crouched down and began snapping away. I wandered around the small clearing between the cafe and the trees, crouching in different positions, getting the forest from all different angles, lost in my work. I sighed dreamily to myself as I captured vibrant green leaves and deep brown trunks, unusual markings evident on each tree and large, dark shadows traced on the ground. I was only jerked out of my photographer's trance when I heard the snapping of bark behind me. I spun around with my hand clutched to my chest.

"Whoa, easy there!" Alexander chuckled, holding up his hands in front of his body.

"You scared me! What are you doing lurking around?" I accused, trying to calm myself.

Alexander smirked, studying my face with his amused eyes. "Lurking? I was just strolling around, stretching my legs before getting back in the car and I came back here to find you prancing around."

"Prancing!?" I scoffed, narrowing my eyes.

Alexander raised his eyebrows at me, as if daring me to explain.

"Not that I need to explain, but I thought it was pretty obvious I was taking photos." I said haughtily.

I was surprised when Alexander laughed again, apparently amused by my attitude. "Relax, I was kidding." He said, flashing me a charming smile. "Can I see some of your photos?"

My anger began to fade and I stepped towards him tentatively, glancing up at his face. "Do you really want to see my photos or are you just looking for another reason to make fun of my 'prancing'?"

"Reece, I really want to see." He said gently, putting a hand on my shoulder. "Although I will have to try pretty hard to keep the prancing jokes to myself."

I relaxed under his touch deciding to ignore his last comment and angled my screen towards Alexander. I placed the camera in his hands and showed him how to flick through the photos. I studied his face as he flicked through, watching as he gazed intently at my camera screen, brows furrowed. He suddenly looked up, his eyes finding mine and he handed back the camera. His face was unreadable and I was suddenly self-conscious. Reece, snap out of it. You're a great photographer, that won't change because of a boy.

"Reece," he said softly, "these are amazing! You have real talent. You turned a few trees behind a cafe in the middle of nowhere into somewhere beautiful, a forest with a hint of magic in the air."

I stood next to him, his tall frame towering over me. I was speechless, which didn't happen often. I'd never recieved that kind of praise. "You really think so?" I asked shyly, giving him a small smile, my whole mood lifting.

"I really do. You could make a living off this Reece." he exclaimed, gesturing to my camera, sincerity etched across his face.

I laughed, pushing on his shoulder. "Now you're just being ridiculous."
"Hey! It's true." He insisted. "You should really consider it."

"Oh come on, anyone can take a good photo. Mine aren't that amazing, I'll show you."

I took the strap off from around my neck and stood on my tiptoes to place the strap over Alexander's neck. I placed the camera back in his hands and stood by his side as I showed him the basics; what button to press, the best angle to hold the camera and how to make the camera focus. Once I was confident he had the basics, I stood back, gesturing to the trees. Alexander stood forward, holding the camera to his face and standing there for several minutes, fiddling with the camera before finally snapping a photo. I laughed, clapping, as he wandered back over to me. He passed the camera to me, but kept the strap around his neck, meaning I had to stand close to use the camera. I couldn't help but inhale his scent as I got a look at his handy work. He smelled deliciously of aftershave and a mild soap, I closed my eyes for a second, breathing him in before realising how creepy I was being. I quickly opened my eyes, blushing slightly as I looked at his photo.
"Hey, not bad for a first timer." I said truthfully, honestly impressed with his work.