Evanescent

Twenty

I decided to wait about a week between each letter so I don't get information too fast that it rushes back and damages my head again. I read that last letter in photography class because it is study hall so we can do whatever we want.

It wasn't that upsetting, it was kind weird seeing myself begin to fall apart. Especially because that event wasn't as bad as the first two. I guess it was like a tiny crack that connected with all the other tiny cracks and formed one big crater that pierced my heart with every word.

"Hey Nessa," Ash says as my minds drifts back to the present.

"Oh," I clear my throat,"uh, hi Ash. What's up?"

"Well-" I never find out what he wants because Mr. Olden starts to talk.

"Class, with your table group you're going to do a project on the saying,'a picture is worth a thousand words,' and create a symbolic photograph with multiple meanings."

I look at my table group. There's Lena, she's warm like a peaceful sunny day. She's quiet, but she's been there for me when I forget supplies or need some help. Her hair is the color of caramel and she's got a slim build. Then there's Damien. He focused and anxious like strong coffee. His thick hair is dark, just like his eyes that, despite their color, only see the good in people. And Ash. Friendly, charismatic Ash.

We are friends in photography, despite our separate friend groups. Lena is a dancer, so her and Annie are friends. Damien loves to draw and, although he doesn't tell many people, he can play the guitar like nobody's business. And Ash, well, he's about as jockey as a jock can get. But we all love capturing priceless moments and beautiful sights.

Mr. Olden scratches his head and tells us to get to work. "I have the perfect idea," Ash and Damien say simultaneously.

"You first," Damien says.

"Okay, so, we could do something with the glass in Lena's dad's workshop. Maybe stain them and overlap them."

"Sounds good! I'll ask my dad. Damien what were you thinking?"

"I was think we could do something that represents deception. So we could put a yellow sheet of glass then put blue glass doors in front, so the doors look green."

"That's awesome! Let's do this!" Lena says. Positive as usual. "We'll have Nessa opening a door in the picture."

"Why me?" I laugh,"Not my idea."

"I know but you're pretty so," Lena smiles back.

"Shut up!" I laugh because it's been a long since I have felt remotely pretty in any way,"We all know you're the pretty one," I raise an eyebrow.

"No way tha-" she protests again before the guys get annoyed.

"Okay you're both pretty, but that's not really the topic right now so, can we get back to the ideas?" Damien laughs.

"Alright," I laugh,"that didn't seem like it was going to end soon anyway."

•••••

"Where are we going today?"

"A very cute, and tasty, café," he replies jingling his keys.

"Aw, I liked the field," I whine.

"They have shakes"

"Let's go," I say immediately. We laugh and he plugs in his phone and turns on our Spotify playlist.

We pull into a retro restaurant called, "Bake and Shake." It looks cute and it has shakes so it must be great. Above the door reads,"Shakes are a gift from heaven to prove God loves us."

"What do you want?" He asks me. "The 'Caramel Cutie?'"

I elbow him playfully, "what about you?" I laugh,"how about the 'Stop Trying to be Cute Strawberry?'"

"Okay that was pitiful, and it's not even on the menu," he holds in a laugh. "But seriously what do you want?" He waits for my response and reads the menu.

"I'll have-"

"Oh wait! Nevermind I'll order," he grins.

"Tanner? Please don't do something stupid," I roll my eyes while my grin slowly mirrors his.

We talk for a little while after he orders about whatever comes up. The conversation started on the science test coming up but now it's on where are dream destination are.

"Definitely Alaska," Tanner says.

"Why? It's so cold?"

"But the lights and the views, you can't beat." I nod in agreement. "Speaking of cold, here comes the surprise."

I turn around to see a giant, chocolate shake with two straws. It has to be at least a foot tall. The waitress sets it down and looks at the two of us. Back and forth over and over, until she looks at Tanner and says,"Are y'all sure you can finish this? You two are some small ones." She draws her words out the way the people do in those old southern movies.

"Yes ma'am, we can!" Tanner smiles. "We want to go on that board over there!" I look and the board is labeled,"Current Mondo Shake Champion."

"Oh yeah? That there board has had my face on it for far too long," she shakes her head. "I love me some shakes." She says and walks off.

"Shall we?" He grabs his straw.

"Why do you even ask?" I say and shove the straw into my mouth and sip away.