Dating the Dead • lrh

14. moments

I wanted to get out of the bathroom as fast as I can because I didn't want them to wait for me. Shelby handed me a toothbrush and toothpaste when I went in so I'm brushing as quickly and as efficiently as possible, it's making me gag. Once done, I splashed my face with water and pulled my hoodie over my head.

I heard a shutter sound when I got out the door. Shelby held the camera on her right hand while she checked her wristwatch on the other. "One minute and forty-five seconds," she said, laughing. "You coulda taken another five seconds to wipe your face."

"Bless your camera another shot," I smiled with water dripping from my cheeks. Once she took another picture, I finally wiped my face with the hoodie and ran a hand over my hair.

Shelby let the camera hang from her neck as she raised her head and arms to the ceiling. "Hallelujah."

Sister Isabel laughed and ushered us outside where the children would be waiting. We passed through a wide room that has to be their dining area. Shelby led us through a back door.

"Hey, I need you to hold onto these for a while" She held her backpack open, gesturing for me to put what I was holding-- in this case, my hoodie and the toothbrush and toothpaste she gave me. Once sealed, she handed me the bag, which I hiked over my shoulders, and the camera which she slung over my neck.

Her close proximity made me stop breathing. I could feel my heart hammering inside my chest as if to scream 'I'm running out of oxygen to pump, you better use your lungs any time now!' For a moment too long, my eyes didn't leave hers and she was the first to break away.

"Come on, the kids are expecting us," she said, walking rather quickly. She did not even bother to check if I was following. I quickened my own pace to fall just a few steps behind her where I could see her ears being unnaturally pink. Also, I didn't want her to see my face that felt so hot at the moment.

The shutter sounds did not even warrant her looking back at me. With the camera at the ready, I took pictures of the kids rushing to her. There were about ten of them running to meet Shelby who had her arms wide.

They practically tackled her, making them all stumble on the grass, and I kept taking photos of their smiling faces. I even took snapshot of the guy in white shirt and khaki shorts walking with the rest of the children. Shelby excused herself from the kids and held her arms for the guy who looked a few years older than us.

I fought the urge not to take a photo but it was Shelby's moment so I clicked the button anyway.

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