The White Lie

Chapter 9

My laughter pierced the crisp morning air as I tried to contain myself as Alexander strutted back and forth in front of me, posing for the camera. For an hour we had been out by the cliff face, taking photos of the beautiful view. With the sunlight streaming in through the incredibly tall pine trees and the woods that went on endlessly, the location was a photographers dream. Unfortunately though, it wasn't a model's dream. I had spent a good half an hour snapping photos of Alexander posing, laughing, teetering on the edge of the small, three metre high cliff face and had then turned my attention to capturing the scenery, the colours, the beauty of nature. While I snapped away, Alexander had entertained himself, preparing some model exercises and practicing his runway walk. Eventually I was distracted from scenery, unable to take my eyes of Alexander.

I found a place on the ground sitting down and watching the boy in front of me. In the 24 hours I'd known him, I'd come to see him as an attractive, long legged boy with a cheeky grin and playful attitude. I was struck by him. Indie was right, I hadn't felt like this about a boy in a very long time. Alexander stopped posing and joined me on the ground.
"What are you thinking about?" He queried, stretching his long legs out in front of him and leaning back on his elbows.
I paused for a moment, giving him a serious look before answering.
"I was just wondering if you'd ever done any modelling work. You're a natural." Alexander's booming laugh filled the clearing and I found myself laughing along with him.
"Can I see the photos?" He asked.
"Sure"
I grabbed the camera as Alexander scooted close to me. I tried not to think about how close we were as I got the first photo up on my camera screen. We sat there, flicking through the photos and pointing out our favourite ones. Eventually, we flicked all the way back to the photos I had taken before our trip. I went to turn off my camera, but Alexander stopped me, taking the camera from me.
"Whose that?" He asked, gesturing to the screen. I looked down at the screen, my smile dropping.
"Oh, uh no one. Just an old boyfriend." I said, giving a tight smile.
Alexander nodded, studying the photo. "It's an amazing photo."
My smile broadened. It was one of my favourite photos. I studied it, a photo of my ex-boyfriend Fred. He was splayed out in the grass on our old school oval, leaning back on his elbows and looking away into the distance. The afternoon sun streamed in from behind him, illuminating his outline. All of those things made the photo work, but none of them were what I loved most about it. My favourite thing about the photo was the look on Fred's face. His warm brown hair flopped onto his forehead and his brow was furrowed. On his face was a look of deep contemplation, you could almost see the cogs turning in his head. You could just tell that he was so deep in thought, you could wave a hand in front of his face and it looked as though he wouldn't have noticed.
Alexander noticed my smile and gave me a questioning look.
"It's one of my favourite photos. It's my ex-boyfriend Fred. He was a year older than me in a high school, so he graduated last year." I explained. "I took this photo in his final week of school. We were out on the oval one afternoon, goofing off with some of his friends and I caught him staring off into the distance, seemingly contemplating his future. It was just such a beautiful moment to catch."
Alexander's smile dropped and I quickly moved to explain myself.
"Oh, there's no feelings left there. We're over. We have been for a long time. I just love this photo because it's a prime example of how one photo can capture a tiny piece of someone's soul. That's why I do it, you know. Photography. Because with the click of a button you can capture something forever." I smiled, gazing dreamily off into the distance.
Alexander nodded slowly. "Wow. I've never really thought about it like that."
"Not many people do." And with that I clicked off my camera, placing it next to us on the ground. I leaned back on my own elbows, matching Alexander's pose.
"I keep that photo on my camera," I continued "because it's a reminder of what I can do. I've won two photography competitions using that photo. It's my best one."
I could tell Alexander was impressed as he gave me a look of appraisal.
Alexander was about to say something before I interrupted, noticing the time on my watch.
"Oh crap, we better get back and help pack up." I said, standing up and offering my hand to Alexander. He took it and chuckled as I used all of my strength to drag him into an upright position. I slung my camera around my neck and we began to walk in the direction of the campsite. After we'd walked a few metres, Alexander grabbed my hand, giving me a questioning look. I smiled at him and grasped his hand back. Hand holding? It's almost like we're back in grade five. I was surprised at Alexander's manner. All the boys I'd ever dated or been with went straight for the kiss but Alexander didn't even seem interested in anything other than a friendly hand hold. Maybe this was just normal to him? To hold a girl's hand while they wandered through the woods. I internally groaned, convinced that I was beginning to like a boy who saw me nothing more as a friend.
We walked in a comfortable silence and were almost back at the campsite before Alexander spoke.
"Reece?"
My heart pounded in my chest. "Yeah?"
He paused for a minute, the silence killing me. "Indie said you were doing teaching at university. Why aren't you doing photography?" Another internal groan. Apparently this was the question of the week.
I glanced away from him, picking up my pace. "It's a long story Alexander."
He tugged me back towards him so I slowed to walk beside him.
"Tell it to me?"
I sighed and shrugged my shoulders, stopping and look him straight in the eyes. "Maybe another time."
Alexander studied me, before nodding curtly, agreeing. "Okay. But I'm going to hold you to that." I sighed, tugging him forward.
"I'm sure you will" I muttered, dejected at the thought of thinking about, let alone discussing, my future.

I used the last few hundred metres to the campsite to do some thinking. Clearly, this morning has shown me that I did in fact have feelings for Alexander. This morning's hand holding had also confused me, leading me to the conclusion that I needed to make up with Indie to debrief. That thought didn't seem too bad. And on the matter of discussing university choices with Alexander, that was something I really didn't want to do. I felt comfortable with him, but I was lying to everyone else about university, I didn't want to lie to him too, but I wasn't quite ready to tell the truth.

We finally reached the camp site and I let go of Alexander's hand, but not before I gave it a quick squeeze. We didn't need to add fuel to the fire we'd lit after I'd slept in his tent last night. We split up, Alexander heading in the direction of his tent and me heading in the direction of mine. On the way I passed Alice, packing up the camp kitchen.
"Hey girl, get many photos?" She asked cheerfully.
I returned her smile. "Yeah, heaps, I'm really happy with them."
Alice gave me a knowing look as she packed some more cans into one of the bags by her feet.
"Did you have fun?"
I tried unsuccessfully to keep my blush at bay. Alice laughed.
"Like you can talk" I shot at her, flicking my eyes towards Kai's tent where he was currently wrestling with a pole as he tried to take it down.
Now it was her turn to blush, her tanned and lightly freckled face suddenly flooded with pink.
"Indie was right" she said, "Bringing boys was a good idea."
I nodded in agreement, while I was resistant at first, it clearly was a good idea.

I left Alice to her packing and continued to my tent where I found Indie had already packed most of our things, leaving our bags and sleeping bags outside as she began to take down our tent. I placed my camera into my bag and began to help Indie without a word. I really wanted to make up, I did, but I needed an apology.
As if she could read my mind, Indie spoke.
"Reece, I'm sorry." She said, looking up. "I can't believe I didn't think about where you were going to sleep. I should have spoken to you beforehand." I studied my best friend's face, a crease in the middle of her brow showing her sincerity. I leaned over and threw my arms around her shoulders and she leaned down to hug me.
"I forgive you." She smiled, letting go of me. "But this is our trip remember?" I continued. "I don't want to feel like I'm being ditched okay?"
Indie's smile dimmed but she nodded. "Okay, me and you from now on. I'll send Nate back to his own tent."
I paused for a moment, unable to stop myself from making a rash decision. "No, it's okay. He can stay, I'll just stay with Alexander." And with that I swear I could almost hear the moment Indie's jaw dropped to the floor in shock.