Amour Doux (Nathan Prescott)

2

"And this is the boys dorms." Nathan pointed to the tall building, taking a puff off a cigarette.

"It's so nice." I smiled, leaning away from the smoke.
After showing me the dorms, he snuck me into the main school, where he showed me all the classes, leaving the photography class for last. The class rooms were all so big and nice, the school definitely had money.

Nathan sat down on top of a desk and fiddled with a camera while I walked around, examining the room. On the whiteboard was a drawing of a dissected camera, showing all the little pieces that fit inside. Whoever drew it clearly spent a lot of time on it.
I glanced over at the teachers desk to see a newspaper. I skimmed over it and learned that a family named the Prescott's had donated some money to the arts (STEM) of the school.
"Who are the Prescotts?" I asked. Before Nathan could reply, I gave another word. "Don't they think it's a bit dumb to donate that amount of money to just the arts? What about science, math, or the others?"

"Uhm... yeah. I dunno." He replied, looking down at his camera. He then pointed the lense up and snapped a quick picture of me, the flash leaving a black spot in my sight everywhere I looked. I swiftly ran to him to see the picture.
"You caught me off guard, but I look so..."

"You look like a model."
We both looked up at each other, our eyes meeting only for a moment. I could feel my blood rushing quickly through my veins, finding their way to my cheeks. I covered my cheeks with both hands as I backed away awkwardly.
"Photography is my favorite." He smirked. "People think that's 'gay' for a guy to be into art and photography—but it really isn't. And it pisses me off that people think that."

"I think photography is beautiful. I'm always on my computer or phone looking at images taken of places like Antarctica, or in the mountains somewhere. I often even look at photos of France. Photographers can really capture a quick moment in that tiny camera. I think it's... poetic, in a way."

Nathan chuckled. "Me and you got different views on photography, but, I see what you mean."

I looked out the large set of windows facing the courtyard, to the setting sun. "I should probably be on my way."

"Here, I can drive you home. I'm coming down anyways." He hopped off the desk.

'Coming down?' I questioned in my head. "Wait, you have a car? Aren't you, like, fifteen? And plus, we took a bus here...?"

"Yeah, no need pointing out the obvious. I just like keeping my truck here when I... go out. Don't ask why, alright?"

"O-okay...?"

We walked outside to the parking lot and hopped into his red truck. I gave him my address and he dropped me off.

"Who was that?" My mum asked, peeking through the window as I walked in.

"Just a friend. I met him at a diner."

"'Him'? Who is he?"

"All I know is his name is Nathan, and he goes to Blackwell. He's also into photography."

"Well..." my mum folds her arms. "Is he cute?"

"Mother!" We both laugh. As I walk to my room, I stop and turn around. "For the record... yeah, he's cute." I blush and quickly rush into my room, closing the door behind me.

The next week

And finally, comes school. It's 6 in the morning, and I feel like I could collapse from a heart attack at any time. I place my hand on my chest and breathe, trying to calm myself down. I can feel my heart beating heavily against my chest through my hand.
"It's only school. You'll meet new people, and join tons of after school activities. It'll be fine."