FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE HEART.

PHOTOGENIC.

A thousand nights
A billion lights
Every moment caught just right
Every word in just one sight...

Devin Phate's camera lens focused on the dark sky of Chelsea dotted with the bodies of pigeons.
  It was about seven and the cold breeze of the autumn season went through his orange short hair and sent chills through his cheeks but his body was covered by his hoodie so that wasn't a bother. He took the picture of the scene and looked down at it on the photo storage, it was dark but it was beautiful in its own way.
  He hung the camera back on his neck and leaped to the floor of his balcony. He looked into his lighted disarranged room and sighed, he had been postponing his laundry for the past week and now it had began to pile up. Since the heater was on he closed the balcony door behind him and slid out of the hoodie revealing his pale skin but beneath it was defined muscles and a wide chest so he wasn't scrawny but by his mother's words "Still needs some fat".
  He placed his hoodie on the chair by his work desk while hanging his camera on the wall before starting to clean up his room. He dealt with the dirty clothes by folding them into a basket and after finally cleaning up in terms of dishes and his bed he opened the door and saw Clara Luku who's knuckle just hung in the air.
  "Were you about to knock?" He asked as he looked down at the brunette who hid her hand behind her back. "Yes?" She sighed, "Leo said I should ask whether you want to go to the ice cream parlor for some chill time, he was busy so I came to do the asking."
  Devin frowned, "Damn, I'm sorry Clara, I have to deal with some work and stuff for my project. Can we put a raincheck on this?" She rolled her fingers through her short hair, "Yeah, that's not a problem. You have work to do and everything so..."
  Devin smiled although he could tell that she wasn't cool with it. "Seriously sorry, but if I finish up I can just cook something up and we'll watch Rick and Morty, that good with you?"
  Clara didn't meet his gaze, she just pointed down to down the hall, "I'll come and check up on you later. I need to go." As she disappeared into another room Devin smile turned down and he let out a frustrated sigh, "College work gets in the way of fun. It sucks."
  He got to the basement of his dorm building and spotted an empty washing machine by the corner, he put his clothes in and set it to sports clothes for a hard wash. They were seriously dirty so he wasn't going to leave here without them looking brand new. Since this operation was going to take a while he slipped in his earphones and begun to play a good electronic jam which he constantly put on his repeat.
  It got to a point that he didn't know he was dancing around the room and playing air guitar while doing a solo on an imaginary drum, but he came to his senses once he saw Zoey Nate smiling down at him from the stairs to the door. "You didn't see all of that did you?" She tapped her chin, "About most of it."
  He cursed and put a stop to his music, "Did you record anything?" She shook her head and descended the steps, "Not heartless. You looked funny and hot in a way."
  Devin didn't reply to her statement, he just smiled. He couldn't find his words once he heard words that related to his body being sexy. Unfortunately Zoey knew this and used it to tease him. He sat down on the wooden wide bench and Zoey sat beside him uncomfortable close. "Well, it was a good beat drop." He told her finally, "I bet it was." Zoey agreed looking down at his shorts and causing Devin want to leave much faster.
  He got up and begun to pace around the room constantly checking his clothes as well as Zoey who played with her long blonde hair as well as stare at her clothes that spun around in a washing machine.
  As his finished he pulled out his things and folded it back into his basket then Zoey said, "I didn't mean to do anything, Phate, you need to learn to trust others."
  Devin sighed and sat crossed leg on the cold floor, "Zoey, you know I'm uncomfortable around people normally, I didn't mean to offend you."
  "I'm not offended, I'm used to your problems, Devin, but you tend to replace your fright with a snobbish attitude, it's not healthy. We're in college, and you're nineteen."
  Devin rolled his eyes, "I know that, but I'm not certainly perfect am I?"
  "Nobody is, but you're purposely trying not to be."
  Devin opened to speak but a voice from above caused him to turn. "Hey, what you two arguing about?"
  Leo's blue eyes met with those of Devin and Zoey who just shook her head and got up, "Nothing, Leonard. Simple disagreement." She pushed past Leo's bulky frame and Devin got the rest of laundry, "Don't ask, mate."
  "Wasn't going to." Leo told him still looking back at Zoey who's waist caught his attention.
  "Stop staring too." Devin said and pulled his eyes away. "Fine," Leo grumbled, "Clara told me about your project, want me to help or something?"
  Devin nudged him out of the way, "Last time I checked you were studying Zoology and doing a minor in sleeping around." Leo let out a fake laugh then walked up behind him, "Exactly, I'm doing zoology and you're looking for a picture perfect animal, how bout if I help you?"
  Devin wanted to believe that he was trying to be a good friend, he really wanted to but he knew Leo too well. "What's the catch?"
  Leo grinned and rubbed Devin's shoulders, "Not much of a catch actually. But how about you carry Clara along with you?"
  At that request Devin shook his head instantly, "Hell fucking no, Leo, we both know she's uncomfortable around animals."
  "But come on," Leo whined, "she needs sunlight, just take her along and get your picture as well as two free cards." He pulled them out like he had practiced for the scenario which Devin was sure he did. "Damn you, Leonard Woodlock."
  He grinned, "Whatever, Phate, go get ready for your first date."
 
COMING SOON...