Fifteen

Chapter 28: Thnks fr th Mmrs

Avery sat aware of how important the next few hours were going to be for Aria and Sophia Kate. Daisy had filled them in on the current status of the girls as they made their way around campus. Preston and Tyler would meet up with them once they finished putting in applications around campus.

Faye and JT began another photography-centered argument that led to them stopping at the Photography building to compare points. It was still a fairly large group remaining and they all seemed to settle into a shared pace as they took in all that Texas U had to offer.

Avery wished he could've been at the studio to watch tryouts. He liked dancing, but it was really the competitiveness of tryouts that he missed. He understood the change in the air. It was like the moments before and during his swim meets. He couldn't deny that he missed it and secretly wondered what it would be like to be a part of Texas U's team.

Maybe I should speak with the coach tomorrow? He thought. He wanted to ask her, but she was too busy laughing at something Jaden said. What does it matter that they know each other? Of course they would know each other. They're from a different world. He thought angrily looking away. Everyone seemed to have coupled up or grouped up.

It was obvious Preston, Tyler, Gracia and Caleb were a unit. Caleb, Aria, and Stefan had a love-triangle that spelled disaster. Olivia and Tyler had some subtle flirting, while JT and Faye's tension could hide behind camera differences though there was more. Elsa, Brooke and Daisy were becoming fast friends, while Sophia Kate seemed to fit in with everyone. Then there was Brooke and Jaden. He hated that he still managed to care about her after all this time. Avery never expected to see Brooke again, but there she was standing less than a few feet away.

When he first laid eyes on her he was sure he was seeing things. Long, thick blond tresses replaced her once short brown hair and he couldn't believe that she managed to get prettier. It was her smile that confirmed what he already knew though they never reached her eyes. She was as beautiful as she was in Colorado.

She was acting as a Brunson representative since her family were stakeholders in the event. He had seen news clippings and reports of Brooke Brunson, but nothing prepared him for when he met her in person. Her eyes seem to dig past all of the hurt and pain of his family and right to his core. She had been a fish out of water and Avery was all too happy then to show her the ropes.

Now, so much had happened that he felt like they were strangers. It wouldn't have been this way if you didn't leave. He admonished himself, but he knew he had to go. He hated the way he left things, but people like him didn't end up with a happily ever after. The bad luck that followed his family was in his blood and he would do anything to make sure Brooke never endured it.

Faye could hardly breathe. She received another update in the group text all the girls were in from Sophia Kate about how amazing they did during a group performance. They were preparing for their solos and Aria was strung out on nerves.

Fish Fest was proving to be far more eventful than she had planned. She was thankful for the newfound friendships that seemed to blossom, but as she looked over at JT she was intrigued by the feeling that seem to engulf her. He's infuriating! She thought back to their numerous arguments.

Unlike her, JT had his portfolio with him and it was beautiful. His take on subjects were abstract and unique. His pictures took on qualities that made them seem unworldly. She had no idea what had gotten into her, but when she woke up before sunrise it was as if her mojo was back. Faye spent over half an hour snapping shots of sleeping subjects, greenery, etc. She just prayed that whatever had lit her fire was here to stay.

"What are you daydreaming about?" JT asked as they made their way out of the Photography building. "Nothing," she sighed. "Just hoping Aria and Sophia Kate make the company." That was partially true. Faye couldn't tell him how much he infuriated her one moment and the next she was captivated by his inky black hair and dazzling eyes. Dazzling, really? She shook off the thought. "You bringing your camera out tonight?" JT asked snapping her back to reality. "To the Undie Run?" She wrinkled her nose. "Don't you think that's a bit invasive?"

JT let out a hearty laugh as he made out their group of friends passing the Engineering building. "Yes, which means we'll get amazing shots of people with little to no inhibitions. It'll be great additions to my reality section." Faye liked the way JT's portfolio was set up. Each section had some sort of theme that grouped the photos together, even if it was a minute detail. It made her want to revamp her portfolio and get it more organized.

"Come on, Faye. Bring your camera out so we can settle this." He smiled at her mischievously. "Settle what?" She asked honestly. "Oh, come on! Don't act like you don't know." He said stopping her in her tracks as he stood in front of her. As each second passed, he seemed to get closer. "You can't deny the tension between us," he smiled boyishly and Faye couldn't help but bite back the sigh against her lips. "Tension?"

She could play dumb for as long as she needed. "Yeah, the tension. We can finally prove tonight who the better photographer is." And like that the spell was broken. There was tension, in her opinion, that pertained to the more physical side of things, but apparently JT did not feel the same.

"I'm sorry to inform you that it will hardly be a competition." She began walking towards the group who had stopped at the campus bakery and ice cream shop called We Knead Dough. "I'm going to win, because I am the better photographer."

If you would have asked her that a week ago, she wouldn't be able to muster the confidence she presently had, but after the shots from this morning Faye was feeling herself. "I guess we'll just have to see." JT chuckled. "What's my prize when I win?" Faye smiled reaching out to open the door to the store. "You can have whatever you like," JT whispered in her ear before heading in and like that the spell was back in full effect.