A Picture of Hope

Chapter 17

       Alice didn't get much sleep. Her thoughts spun with how Hoseok must be feeling. After tossing and turning, she had finally given up, and ended up doing a little late night work out. It's not like she needed it, but it was the only thing she could think of. With her ear buds in, she listened to some of BTS's songs. She had instantly loved them. Not just because she worked with them. But the lyrics had soul to them.

Looking to her phone, she sighed. It was five thirty in the morning. She had only gotten maybe three hours of sleep. She let out a groan thinking how long her day was going to be. Sitting on the floor, she rubbed the back of her head. Slowly rising from the floor she made her way to the shower.

Having a quick breakfast, she grabbed her keys and headed for the office. Of course she was greeted by smiles from her superiors, which she responded with smile. While she sat at her desk, she tapped her pen against the solid surface. Her computer had been taken to a repair shop, so she couldn't quite work to her full potential. She thought about asking to borrow one, but everyone else was busy with theirs.

Rolling her chair away from her ivory desk, she spun to face the door. With nothing else to do, she figured she would go and see what the guys were up to. However, as soon as she reached for the door her phone went off. It was Sandra telling her about the dark room. Her eyes widened as she read through her friends text. Apparently someone last night, walked in after Alice had left. Ruining her photos.

Her blood boiled as she thought about the idiot who walked through that door. Grabbing her light blue sweater and purse, she ran out the door.

The school was busy, as most students now had finals to cram for. So it wasn't hard to find Sandra. She never really studied, so she often spent her time out in the garden checking out the boys' soccer team. Alice walked over to her, and startled her by accident. Asking her about the dark room, Sandra quickly took her there.

"I know how anal you are about you're pictures." She said, "So I texted you as soon as I heard some other chicks talking about the dark room being opened."

"Thanks." Alice replied, "I really hope they developed before that prick opened the door."

"Didn't you check them?" Sandra asked.

"Yes." Alice said now looking at the open door with the sign she had placed on it last night.

"And?" Sandra asked with her hand on the outside knob.

"Most were fine." Alice said, "Some were in the final stages. And I really hope they're all right."

Taking a deep breath she walked in. Her heart sank. The ones that were finished were fine. However there were two who were half developed. Grabbing the photo, she cringed. It was a picture of Hosoek and Namjoon. Crumpling the photo she threw it to the ground.

"Shit." Alice said.

"Don't you have them on a file on your computer?" Sandra asked leaning into the room.

"Yes." Alice said, "But they're on my hard drive on my computer, which is being worked on."

"Shit." Sandra replied.

Looking at the time, she hadn't realized how late it was getting. She still had to go back and change her clothes, for when she met with Hoseok. Collecting the good photos, she placed them inside an envelope. Thanking Sandra once again for letting her know what happened she left.

She had taken an hour trying to find the right outfit. After deciding on a grey skirt that fell just below her thighs, a black deep V-neck sweater, and black heels, she finally felt ready. As she walked out her apartment, her body felt heavy. This was no time to get nervous. Although she had been feeling nervous all day. Pushing her nerves to the side, she walked down the narrow hall toward the elevator. As she stood listening to the soft violin, she checked her phone. She knew the address to the boys' dorm, but didn't know the right way. After quickly googling it, she sighed. It was a few blocks away, which gave her the option of walking or taking her car.