> speechless >> n.h. >

5.

>> Delilah.

As the weeks went on, the more I found myself relying on @surrounded_ to keep me sane. He kept me grounded and got me through each and every day with a slight excitement to see into tomorrow. I hadn't found anyone like that in a while, even if it was over the internet.

Work had been a drag recently. I loved every part of my job, I really did, but there was only so many family portraits I could take or fashion covers I could edit. I wanted to create my own style- not be working with others forever.

Being an intern meant being apart of the team, yet living in the shadows. It meant whilst the elder, more experienced photographers got to shoot football matches, concerts and red carpet events, I was stuck in the office. Collecting coffee, doing lunch runs and submitting/developing prints for clients.

I hadn't told anyone this, but since my time at University I had created a blog to capture and present my own photography. It was amateur, but I used it to upload what I thought was cool. It included ordinary things, using the city around me as my everyday muse. People, transport, abstract objects and any movement I was able to encapsulate.

I had bit my lip after confiding in this little secret to my online best friend.

@surrounded_: so its like a blog, but for your photography ?

Me: Pretty much. Don't find me lame pls

@surrounded_: definitely not lame. send us a link

I smiled down at his support. Do I send it to him?

Me: Nope. You need to earn that sort of trust

@surrounded_: we've been talking for nearly three weeks ! you don't trust me yet ?

Me: What's with the space between your punctuation? and nope, you need to earn it

@surrounded_: how do I do that ? and leave me alone mrs punctuation police

Me: Tell me your name, I give you the link.

He read the message straight away, sending the sound of sure panic through the screen. I watched intently as the minutes ticked by and there was no movement in the Twitter DM. He had asked for my number a few days prior, to which I kindly teased him with rejection. Twitter was my comfort space; one I confided in staying within.

@surrounded_: its Harrison. now link please ?

I tugged my lips together in my best attempt, trying to hide the smile growing as I stared down at the notification below. It amazed me how much of a pushover he was in our conversations. He handed over whatever information he needed to for his own personal gain, giving me the power right at my fingertips.

"Delilah?"

I dropped my phone, staring up at my boss in front of me. A lopsided grin hugged his lower face. He cleared his throat, readjusting the sweater that hung low on his thin shoulder blades. He wasn't like a regular boss- a small, skinny man with dark hair and a pale complexion. He dressed as if every day was dress down and was never seen without his small, Fuji F1902 around his neck.

"Oh, h-hey Mark" I stuttered, looking at the unfinished work on my computer screen.

Jesus Delilah, did you always have to be such a freak?

It seemed I couldn't even get through a single greeting without spluttering my words. I wish it was as easy to talk to people in real life as it was online.

"How's the processing for the Gratify project coming along?" He asked.

I peered down at my screen once more, seeing the incomplete work scattered across many tabs.

"Great!" I squeaked awkwardly. He nodded understandingly, realising that was as much of an answer as he was going to receive.

"Awesome. Well once you've finished up, come and find me in my studio. I have a very exciting project to share with you!" Mark said, turning around and leaving me to my empty, lonely office corner. I peered around, sinking into my chair and huffing at the desolate space.

Me: Cute name. Oh and here's the link, it should keep you occupied for a while. I feel like I have a VERY busy day ahead of me. [attached link]

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