Snapshot » l.t.

Chapter 37

Chapter 37


Renee's POV


"Do you know how to whistle?" I asked Louis.

We were sitting in the park with nothing to do. Nobody knew of our relationship. Not the boys, not Elise, not Lacy. Just us. And quite frankly, I was starting to understand why Louis wanted to keep us a secret. It was pure bliss being an undercover couple.

Louis gave me a look like I was crazy. "Duh," he said. He licked his lips and whistled the ABCs.

"Good," I said, nodding. "But can you whistle Mozart?"

He whistled "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star".

"How about Beethoven?"

He whistled "Ode to Joy".

"Hmm... Kanye West?"

"Don't even go there," he warned me and I laughed. "Why does it matter if I can whistle?"

"It doesn't," I said. "I just wanted to learn something new about you."

Louis rolled his eyes, but didn't say anything for a moment. "Can you whistle?" he asked me.

I snorted. "Is chocolate delicious?"

"Okay then," he said, and swung his feet back and forth like a little kid.

After a few minutes of silence, I stated randomly, "We're different."

Louis glanced at me. "How so?" he asked. "I mean, other than the fact that I'm famous and you're color-blind."

I rolled my eyes. "I meant us as a couple," I corrected him. "We're not normal."

"You're just noticing that now?"

"Louis, be serious," I said, and shoved his shoulder. "Just think for once."

"I'd rather not. It interferes with being crazy."

I scowled at him. He held up his hands in surrender. "Alright, alright, I'm serious," he said. "Would you like to explain?"

"We're not so much a couple as we are friends," I said. "We don't act like we're together."

"I like you," Louis said with a frown. "Isn't that enough? Why do we have to act like a couple?"

"We don't have to," I said, but my heart sank. He just said "like". Nothing else. "But don't you see how people hold hands all the time and make out in public?"

"Yuck," Louis said, wrinkling his nose. "I hate it when people do that. It's disgusting."

I frowned. "Wait...." I hesitated. "Does that mean you don't want to make out?"

"Wait, right now?! Do YOU?!"

"Hell no!" I exclaimed. "I was just saying, if we ever got to that stage...."

"Well, if you ask me," Louis said, looking a little mortified. "If we ever got to that stage, I don't see why we wouldn't. Now why are we talking about this?"

But I wasn't done yet. The point of the conversation was... I didn't think Louis and I were meant to be. For real. I mean, I thought I loved him. But did I? Or was it just friendship love? Were we trying hard enough?

"Uh oh," Louis said, tearing me from my thoughts. "She's going in for the kill."

I wondered what the heck that meant, but then I realized I was about to bite my lip. Even though I knew what would happen next, I did it anyway. It was a sign of comfort.

Two seconds later, Louis turned my head towards him and kissed me. He always did that when I bit my lip. He wasn't lying before.

But I didn't kiss back. Louis stopped and frowned at me. "Okay, what's up?" he asked. "First you bring up making out, then you space out on me, and now you won't kiss me. What are you thinking, Renee?"

I hesitated.

"Just say what's on your mind."

Well, this was the shortest relationship ever, I thought.

"I just don't think that we're... I'm trying hard enough," I blurted out. "I mean, I think I like you more than we are as friends. But do I? You never say it, and truthfully neither do I. We don't act like a normal couple. It... concerns me."

Louis stared at me thoughtfully. It was tough to read his expression, but he didn't seem mad.

"Renee, you worry too much," he finally said. "What we have is unique. People wish they could be us. I mean, if they knew about us. I didn't know you felt so strongly about this."

My heart sank again. He still avoided that stupid three-words topic. When was he going to acknowledge it?

"If it helps, I'll try to be more... boyfriend-y or whatever it is you want me to be," he continued.

I swallowed down a sigh. That wasn't exactly what I was looking for, but I pretended it was. I winced inwardly. I was already lying to him. What kind of couple were we?

"Fine," I said, and leaned into him. "You can do that."

He kissed the top of my head. "Whatever makes you happy," he murmured into my hair.

Great, I thought. Tell me you love me.

But I didn't say that out loud.


*~*~*~*


I polished off the rest of my delicious smoothie. Who knew Internet cooking sites could actually be useful?

I brushed my teeth and gave my hair a couple more yanks with my brush. I looked presentable enough. I practiced smiling.

I made a kissy face. Ugh, did I really look that ugly when I puckered my lips? That's something to work on.

There was a knock on my door, and I grinned. I literally pranced over. I peeked through the peephole and swung the door open.

"Hola," I greeted him.

"Hello," he replied with a wide grin, but didn't come in.

I cocked an eyebrow. "Um, you gonna come in or what?" I asked. I noticed he was holding his hands behind his back. "What are you hiding from me?"

"Just this," he smirked, and showed me a box. "Thought I should get my girlfriend a present. Like any loving boyfriend would do."

I rolled my eyes. "You don't have to act all sappy and remind me that we're together," I said. "But good effort."

Louis finally came in, and I shut the door behind him. I half-heartedly acknowledged that Louis had called himself a "loving boyfriend", but that's not exactly what I was looking for. How hard was it to say three little words?

We sat on the couch, and Louis put the box on my lap. I smiled. "Aw, you shouldn't have," I cooed.

"I think I should've, and I did. Now open it. I guarantee that you'll love it."

He looked so excited, like this gift was for him, and not me. So, to appease him, I opened it carefully. I ripped off the tape and pulled back the cardboard tabs. The object itself was wrapped in newspaper.

"Tear it off," Louis instructed me. "Like you're three years old on Christmas morning."

I rolled my eyes again, amused, but did what I was told. I tore the newspaper off. My eyes widened when I saw what it was. My hands reached towards it, but I hesitated. I was speechless.

"Huh? What do you think?" Louis asked eagerly.

I picked up the shiny black camera, turning it over in my hands. I was swamped in bittersweet memories.

"Really, you shouldn't have," I said flatly.

Louis' face fell, and I nearly felt guilty. "Why? What's wrong with it?" he asked.

"You got me a camera?" I raged quietly. "Louis, you know I can't be a photographer! I just... cameras aren't...."

I couldn't complete my sentence. I carefully set it down and looked away from it.

"Well, I've been thinking," Louis said, and his arm wrapped around my shoulder, giving it a tight squeeze.

Uh oh, I thought. I shouldn't have gotten him thinking. Now he won't stop.

"About what?" I asked stiffly, avoiding his gaze.

"Well," he repeated. "I don't think that everything has to revolve around color." He picked up the camera. "I mean," he elaborated. "I assume you've seen black-and-white pictures, and they're still beautiful. I don't see why you've given up on your dream."

My heart pounded in my chest. Louis was right, I realized. People DID take pictures in black-and-white. How come that never occurred to me before?

I felt my cheeks heat up from embarrassment. Wow, I was so smart.

"Why don't you start over?" Louis continued. I felt him press the camera into my hands. I still wouldn't look at it or him. "Let me help you. I think we can get you that job at Teen Tiger again."

That made my head shoot up. I turned around to stare at him. "What makes you think that?" I exclaimed. "That could never work! Leeann would never take me back."

Louis looked back at me evenly. "That's what you think," he said, but didn't pursue the subject. "Come with me."

He stood and offered me his hand. I didn't hesitate in taking it. He nearly dragged me out of my flat, without a jacket and without my shoes. I was barefoot.

He ignored the elevator and clambered down the stairs. I stumbled once or twice, but he caught me. He never let my hand go, and that made me feel warm all over, like back at the haunted house.

We headed out of the lobby, and we stood outside my flat. The breeze was chilly, and I shivered. My toes flexed, clutching grass blades and letting them go.

"Do you see anything spectacular?" Louis asked me. "I mean, other than me, of course."

I punched his shoulder, but his comment gave me an idea.

"Actually, you are spectacular," I said, my mind racing.

Louis raised his eyebrows. "I was just joking--"

"No, no, this is good," I interrupted, nodding. "I want my job back at Teen Tiger. And I know just how to get it."

I made Louis stand outside the flat mid-step, looking like he was about to enter the lobby. I made him put his hoodie on and bow his head, but not too much so that you couldn't see his face.

I got down on my knees, grinning widely. My old adrenaline was back. I could feel my excitement and energy coursing through my veins. This was it. This is what I was meant to do. Photography.

The camera in my hands was similar to my old, favorite one, but it wasn't the same. But still, the old familiar weight in my hands, my fingers resting on the buttons.... It felt like I was coming home from a long vacation. A vacation I didn't need and didn't enjoy.

I snapped the picture, and it was like falling in love all over again. I took many pictures, all from different angles, but the subject remained the same. I made Louis switch positions frequently, so it didn't look like the same picture over and over again.

When I was done, we reviewed the photos. "They're perfect," I breathed in relief.

Louis hugged me from behind, his arms around my waist. "I knew you could do it," he murmured in my ear. "See, color isn't everything."

I smiled and turned slightly to give him a kiss on the cheek. "Come on," I said. "Let's go show Leeann who's really boss."


*~*~*~*


I was trembling as we stood outside the studio. I felt like the cold smoothie had finally caught up to me and was sending icicles through my veins.

Louis had come with me. That probably wasn't my best idea, but I didn't want to do this alone. I made him promise to wait outside Leeann's office when I talked to her.

"Hey, you okay?" Louis asked me, and squeezed both my shoulders with his hands. That helped warm me up a bit, but not much.

"Yeah," I said unconvincingly. "Just nervous."

"Don't be," he said, giving me a soft smile. "You can do this. You were born for this."

I smiled in amusement. "I suppose so," I agreed. "And to do this whenever I liked." I stood on my tippy-toes and kissed him on the lips. "Now let's go."

We entered the studio together. I ignored the front desk lady. I knew where Leeann's office was. I figured I wasn't allowed to go in without a scheduled appointment, but I didn't care. Leeann had to see these pictures.

As we headed down the hall, I knew I was worth it. I didn't doubt myself. I was a valuable photographer. I knew my stuff. Leeann shouldn't have fired me. She needed me.

We stood outside her door. I hugged the camera around my neck to my chest. My nerves were returning, but I pushed them down. I could do this.

"Wait here," I told Louis. He nodded. He bent down and kissed me swiftly. "Go get 'em," he said proudly.

I smiled, nodded, and knocked on the door.

"Who is it?" Leeann called.

I faltered for a moment. What should I say? I blinked. Déjà vu.

"One of your photographers," I forced out. Oh yeah. Burned!

"Oh, okay. Come on in."

I did. Louis fell back and stayed behind.

Leeann looked up from her computer. A series of emotions crossed her face: surprise, anger, frustration, sadness, and maybe even despair? I closed the door behind me.

"Renee," Leeann said coolly. "What are you doing here?"

I swallowed. I hated her tone. I didn't hate her; at least, not for the most part. She did what she thought she had to do. I just wished the bond we had would return.

"I've come to show you that I can still work for you," I replied evenly. "I believe with all my heart, mind, and soul that I can still be a photographer."

I approached her. Leeann stood. I gave her my camera. Of course her being the expert on cameras, she knew how to go back and look through my pictures.

She frowned. "Who... is that?"

I struggled not to smile or smirk. I wanted to do both. "That's a celebrity I found skulking around my flat. Don't ask me why he was there. Celebrities are weird. But anyway, that's Louis Tomlinson from One Direction."

I felt slightly guilty. I was kind of lying to my ex-boss. But it was for a good cause. Wasn't it?

"Mmhmm," Leeann hummed, but that was it. She looked some more. "Are you sure? This person could be anybody."

I swallowed down my frustration. "Look again," I told her confidently. "Specifically the face. I believe you'll find that I'm right."

Leeann narrowed her eyes, staring at a picture in particular. Her eyes widened slightly.

At that moment, I snatched my camera back. Leeann looked up.

"If I still worked here," I said wistfully. "I could probably make this into an article. Show the world the whereabouts of Louis Tomlinson. But I guess--"

"Wait!" Leeann called.

I had been edging towards the door as I talked. I paused, struggling not to smirk. "Yes?"

"How did you get these pictures?" she demanded. "Was this really you?"

I nodded, and let my desperation show just a bit. "Please, Ms. Leeann, take me back," I pleaded. "I miss working here. You saw it yourself: I can still be a valuable photographer. I'm good at what I do. Color doesn't matter. Please."

Leeann just stared at me for a moment. I tried not to shrink under her gaze.

"I'm not sure...." she finally said reluctantly. "It's true that we've been struggling and running out of photographers. And you are indeed good. But... your color-blindness...."

"Is not a problem," I finished. "I can still do this. Please, Ms. Leeann. I'll prove it to you, over and over. I'm not useless."

Leeann looked down and sighed. When she looked back up, there was an odd sparkle in her eyes. "Welcome aboard, Ms. Wilson," she said.

I grinned, euphoria filling me to the brim. "Oh, thank you, Ms. Leeann!" I cried. I rushed over to shake her hand. "I promise I won't let you down!"

Leeann smiled. "I expect you to start working tomorrow," she told me.

"Gladly," I replied, still smiling widely. "I'll be here. I'm ready."

She dismissed me, and I exited out of her office, buzzing all over. This was great! I was hired back as a photographer for Teen Tiger! Now to celebrate with Louis....

I looked around, but I couldn't find him anywhere. I frowned. Where could he have gone?

I glanced down the hall and stopped. A little ways away two figures were standing close together, looking like they were in a heated argument. My stomach fell to the floor. I recognized both of them. This wasn't good.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Author's Note:


So here's the dealio: I have a crush (duh. What girl doesn't? I mean, other than the ones that don't have crushes). I have my crush's phone number. My best friend dared me to call him, which I had never tried doing before. So I did. But then I chickened out and hung up.

But here's the real embarrassing part: the whole time me and my best friend were talking afterwards, my phone was on voicemail. When I finally found out, he had like seven minutes of voicemail of us talking about him and other girly things. I was mortified.

All I've got to say is... I hope he's learned how to twerk now.

Whoo. I'm glad to get THAT off my chest. :)

Don't tell anybody.


Stay Beautiful,
-Sammi <3