Crop

CHAPTER ONE

The first time I lay my eyes on him was not actually with my eyes, but a camera lens. His bright blue irises and blond hair were all it took for me to fall absolutely, positively, madly in love. Looking through that lens, I was originally focused on the ginormous trunk of an oak tree, but as I was about to take the picture he walked out from behind the tree, right in the centre of my photograph, and I took the shot. Now I not only had nature in my photograph but a model. To describe it in greater detail: a forest with thinner trees in the background and a thick tree to the left of the foreground. A naturally-posed boy next to the tree, a burning sunset peaking out from behind him, and long horizontal strips of orange clouds in the sky. It was unquestionably, remarkably perfect. It would make a great addition to my photography portfolio.

As I stared at my camera screen admiring the image, I almost forgot there was an actual living boy in the forest with me. I looked up with wide eyes. He was staring back at me with wide eyes of his own and had hardly moved a muscle.

"Did you just...take a picture of me?" he asked slowly. He had worry written all over his face but I guess I would too if a random stranger just took a picture of me. Seeing his expression, I relaxed my face and gave him a small smile, hoping to ease his shock.

"It's a good picture. I promise.Want to see?" I asked and started walking towards him. He didn't back up or run away, so that was a good sign. At least he didn't think I was a serial killer or something weird like that. I held the camera up to him and he took it in his hands, examining it. I stood patiently with my hands linked in front of me. I wanted my atmosphere to be friendly and pleased.

"If there was a bit more contrast in the dark colours from the light colours, and you brought out the colours of the sunset, this picture would be...wow" he said and looked up at me for approval. I came around to stand beside him so that we could both look at the photograph.

"Oh, um...yeah!" I looked up at him, a full head taller, and beamed. He looked down at me and gave me a gentle smile. I had been waiting to see that smile and now here it was, more charming than I had imagined. He held my gaze and it made my heart melt. We stood staring at each other until he cleared his throat and handed my camera back to me.

"Eh-hem. I'm..." he ran his fingers through his thick hair. "I'm sorry."

"What? No, don't be. I mean...for what?"

"You were just trying to take pictures and I came along and made this whole thing awkward so I'm sorry."

"Come home with me." I blurt out. He almost choked on his own spit. Great, maybe now he does think I'm a serial killer. When he didn't reply, I wanted to die. He was frozen the exact same way as when that random freak took a picture of him. Oh wait...that was me. This poor boy.

"C-come home with you?" he stuttered. I laughed nervously.

"I was just kidding."

"Well...where do you live?"

"It's about a five minute walk from here." I felt a weight lift off of my shoulders. Was he actually considering it?

"It's almost dark already." he said.

"Yeah, it was a stupid idea. I shouldn't have brought it up." I looked at the ground, embarrassed. I felt a soft hand settle on my cheek. My light brown eyes peered up at him. I didn't know what to say. Didn't know what to do. My heart was beating fast, but in all honesty, I liked feeling this way.

"I guess I could check it out, but I'll only stay for ten minutes."

"Really?!" I almost shouted.

"Mm-hmm." he nodded.

"But you'll have to walk home in the dark."

"A little darkness never hurt anyone."