RaStro FicS

Into the lens (2)

They were both quiet on the ride back to Glaiza's house. She was kicking herself for rushing things with Rhian. When she pulled in her driveway, she immediately opened the car door and turned to thank her for another fun night.

"Thanks for the great wine, Rhian."

"No prob," she said, nodding.

That was all she said which made her worried. She was too quiet. Maybe, she'd come to her senses. Maybe it was just the wine and the night air and the shared stories that made her lose her head for a few moments. Maybe she didn't want her like that after all. Maybe she'd missed her one chance at romance with Rhian.

The short hair sighed and started swiveling to get out of her seat when she caught her arm "Glaiza? Wait." Her voice was small, soft, and shaking a little. She was nervous...or excited...or both.

She gently pulled her back into the car. She didn't let go of her arm and her hand felt hot on her bare skin. She kept pulling her backwards towards her. As the short hair turned to face the girl, the girl who'd monopolized her dreams and fantasies, she closed her eyes and cocked her head a little for the kiss she knew was finally coming.

Rhian slipped to the side and gently pressed her lips to the short hair's cheek instead. "Thanks, Glaiza. For the talking and the...sharing. It was nice." Then, oh then, she brushed her perfect little nose against her cheek softly, back and forth, in a way that sent shivers down her spine. Somehow, that brush of her nose made it more intimate than a real kiss. Rhian sighed and pulled away. "Now go inside and get to bed, young lady."

She was dizzy with a mix of confusion and excitement. She hadn't gotten the actual kiss she wanted but she'd loved the touch of her nose on her cheek. "May I remind you, I am two years older than you are."

They both chuckled nervously.

*****

It had been a month and a half, but it felt like a year. Glaiza sat at the desk in the studio, her phone screen glowing ghostly white against her skin. She unconsciously tucked a mesh of hair behind her ear and checked on new messages. Nothing. She sighed and sipped her coffee, unfolding herself from her chair, arching back and feeling the tension ease in her spine.

They'd been working on the campaign for two weeks now, and they'd just submitted the final material just on time. But if she were honest, she didn't care. She didn't seem to care for much these days, except for those text conversations and those precious few late night phone calls made in whispers. She lived for the sound of Rhian's husky voice on the end of the line made soft with longing and all the things left unsaid.

She hadn't seen Rhian in a week, since that night. She'd been so busy with work, and well Rhian, she'd been busy with her boyfriend.

She checked her phone again and her heart leapt when she saw she had a message and as quickly sank when she saw it wasn't from her. She opened it anyway. It was from Chynna Hortaleza, the curator of The Buk Seoul Museum of Art in South Korea. She had done some work with her a few years back, a series of portraits she'd shot on culture and equality as part of a larger exhibition for emerging female photographers. Her work had been well received and she and Chynna had remained on friendly terms.

Sitting down she began to read. It seemed her help is needed with a project for the 'The Photos Can Speak' international festival happening next month. A photographer had pulled out last minute and left the curator in the lurch.