Sweetener | Judd Birch

9 | darkroom chats

/ A Week Later /

~~~
I TOOK a bite out of my sandwich, chewing then swallowing it down with a gulp of water. Leah, Tallulah and I were sitting at our usual lunch table.

"I still can't believe you broke up with Rob, you guys seemed to be getting on along so well. " Tallulah says, pushing her salad around with a fork. She was quite surprised after I had told her about Rob and I.

Leah, who was engrossed in reading a book, chimed into our conversation. "I had a feeling it would end anyways, T, didn't you remember what he did to her? It's exactly what Daniel did to me as well— so I understand."

Tallulah nods. "Yep, that's why I've taken a break from boys."

I snorted. "Yeah, for like a week." I piped and she gasped before lightly hitting me on the shoulder, I pout, playfully acting like I'm hurt. "I'm serious (Y/n)!" Tallulah chuckles, her smile faltering straight after. "Some boys have been calling me a blowjob machine and I'm so done." She adds and frowns, i reach out to gently squeeze her shoulder.

Tallulah smiles before shaking her head, "Anyways, Leah. You're being antisocial, put that book down and talk!"

"Yeah, since when did you read." I joked, taking the last few bites of my sandwich.
"Oh shut up! I do read. . . At home anyways." She says playfully before glancing up at us. "But have you read The Rock Of Gibraltar? It's so. . . Wow." She says dreamily, looking elsewhere as her cheeks slowly tinted pink.

"Hmm. Okay, I'll probably read it later." Tallulah says, faking a yawn. Leah ignores her and quickly goes back into reading. I raise an eyebrow at the two, feeling grateful to have them as friends.

"Oh Tallulah! We have photography next, I'll show you some Polaroids I might hand in for the upcoming assignment." I say, pawing through my bag and pulling out an album.

Tallulah nods eagerly, "Yes! Show me. Oh and have you developed your films? For the film photography project? That one is due today."

I pause as my world shifted off its axis. "Oh no! I haven't, shit! I have to go to the dark room now!" I say in a panic before quickly shoving the album back into my bag.  "I'll see you guys later."

Tallulah blinks at my sudden actions and Leah was still busy with her book. I wave a goodbye before heading towards my photography classroom.

~~~

I raise my hand to knock on the door of the classroom, seconds after the teacher opens the door. "Oh hello, (Y/n). How may I help you?" He says, shifting his glasses.

"Could I please quickly develop my films in the darkroom?"

He lets out a deep sigh, "Let me guess, you didn't develop it last week? It's due today."

I purse my lips, holding back a bitchy remark. "No I didn't, sorry,  I was busy taking pictures Sir."

He rubs at his temples, before waving me off. "Fine, go for it. There's someone else in there though."

I nod before brushing past him and placing my bag down at a table to take out my film camera. I then quickly saunter over to the dark room. Stepping in, I was immediately hit by the dark fluorescent red light, it took time for me to adjust to the lightening.

A familiar figure had his back facing towards me, whoever it was, was busy developing some films. I quietly walk over to that area, wincing at how loud my footsteps were. The person turns around.

I widened my eyes, I haven't seen this person for almost a week. "J-Judd?" For a brief second, his aggressive face softened slightly upon seeing me. "Oh. Hey dickhead." He greets, before turning back to his work.

"I didn't know you did photography." I softly reply, hoping the situation won't be awkward. I gently placed down my camera next to the other set of trays. We were a metre apart from each other. "Well, I didn't know you did that either." Judd replies, he had tongs in hand as he moved the film around in the tray of developer.

"It's just an extra-curricula thing i guess." I fiddled around with my camera to carefully unload the film. "What are your pictures for?"

"It's for a graduation thing, I have to hand it in to the shitty teachers because they're putting up on the school's website. What are you doing here, num-nuts?" Instantly remembering at how Judd was going to graduate this year.

"Just finishing up an assignment that's actually due last period." I glance up at him, the red neon night casted a shadow upon his face, making him look somewhat more intimidating than he does out of this lighting.

I dipped my films using a pair of tongs into a tray filled with developer. "Ha. Probably because of you partying it up last week."

I let out an airy chuckle, pushing the films around. "Hey! You were there too! Oh and you took me to that diner as well! I blame you ." I chirp, plastering a smile but I doubt he could see it in the dark. "Did you end up returning Lee's car? What'd he say about it?" I chew the bottom of my lip, hoping he won't bring up the incident that happened between us in the car.

Judd chuckles. "Oh he was so pissed. The party was over by the time I returned it— he stormed out of his house in his sweats and gay robe, yelling at how he missed his car so much. I was like whatever, I didn't ruin it or anything."

I let out a giggle as we fell into a comfortable silence. Although there was still an elephant lingering in the room— which was the kiss from that night and the whole speech Judd made about how he was willing to wait for me. It made my heart feel warm, the longer I was with Judd, the more I realise at how sweet he could be.

"Not to sound like I want you there or anything but remember Leah's play? It's on Friday night. . . You still up for it? Nick is brining his weird friend so, I guess it's only fair to bring you. . ." I remember his invite from the party, memories took me back to Lee's party.
". . . And for Leah's sake as well."

I nod eagerly, looking up at him. "Of course I'm still coming. I wouldn't miss it." His gaze shifts from his work to me, our eyes met I could've sworn I saw the corner of his lips lift into a smile.

~~~

A/n;
Heyo, I guess it's been a while since I've uploaded?? Sorry about that! But I hope you'll enjoy this one! So far Judd drove you home, bought you alcohol, you bumped into him at a party and he took you to a cute diner then later that night you made out ;) ! Oh and you'll be going to Leah's play wit him. Lucky duck ;)

Anyways I'm going to say this now because I don't know when I'll be able to say this but, Merry Christmas ya'll, hope you'll have good one ❤️

[edited]