EVAK/HENJEI ONE SHOTS

[26] p r o j e c t

EVEN POV
________

"i'm thinking that we should get people to model for the pictures. don't you think that'd look nice for the project? it'd seriously be an A plus." i explained to my friend, sonja who was also my partner for this project we were doing for class.

"i mean, sure, it'd look nice- but it's a lot of extra work and i don't think it matters as long as we pass the grade..." sonja replied, shrugging nonchalantly.

i shook my head, "we have to be the best." i said sarcastically, even though a part of me deep down did kinda feel that way.

"if you're so keen on that idea then go ahead and do it, but i'm not gonna. i think our project is perfectly fine how it is and you're just overthinking it because you want to be a perfectionist."

"i don't want to be a perfectionist, i am a perfectionist." i teased, smirking when sonja rolled her eyes.

she waved her hand in the air submissively, "whatever, even. do whatever you want."

-

here came the hard part. i was alone, my camera held firmly in hand as i walked around some local park looking for people to take photos of.

there unfortunately wasn't many people around, but someone did catch my eye. he was sitting on a bench, a burgundy scarf wrapped around his neck, a few blonde curls peeking out from under his grey beanie and a cute jacket slipped over his small frame.

he's perfect.

i straightened my posture, walking up to him with a display of confidence and self assurance. i wanted to make it seem legit so that i didn't scare him off or anything.

he was sitting on the far end of the bench looking down at something on his phone. i took a seat beside him, a small sigh escaping my lips as i thought of how i was going to make this work.

"pretty cold out today, isn't it?" i asked, and even thought the question was stupid- it still flowed out of my mouth the exact way i wanted it to sound, feeling a bit relieved and more comfortable after that.

the boy looked up at me with a confused expression, giving me a look that read 'are you talking to me?'. once we locked eyes, he knew that for himself and didn't have to ask before nodding. "yeah, very."

"i see you're dressed pretty well for the occasion." i said, mentally facepalming myself as i wanted what that was even supposed to mean. what occasion?! there's no occasion!

he chuckled lightly, his breath visible in the cold air. "yeah, well... this is normal for anyone that lives in oslo."

i nodded in agreement, still feeling pretty dumb over that last comment but decided to just forget about it. "you know what i just thought of?" i lied, because i didn't just think of it, but it did catch his attention as he met my eyes with a raised eyebrow. "you'd look perfect in my school project. we're making magazines and trying to find some people to model for us. would you be interested?"

his mouth gasped as he thought. he looked away, a bit puzzled and i felt bad for immediately springing that on him like it was all played out- even though it kind of was, i guess.

"i don't really know how to like... model- or pose." he said shyly, laughing a bit but his expression soon becoming serious afterwards.

i shook my head, "oh, you don't need to pose or do anything special... just stand there, act natural while i get a couple shots. you know?"

another moment passed as he intensely thought about it before shrugging. "sure, why not?"

a rush of relief hit me and i had to admit, i felt pretty accomplished. "great! what's your name, by the way?"

"isak."

isak, isak isak isak.

cute.

"even." i replied.

-

"just act natural." i said behind the camera, pointing it at him as he stood there tense and kind of awkward.

"i don't know what to do." he chuckled shyly, his cheeks and nose turning pink from embarrassment or the cold, maybe both- i couldn't tell.

i put the camera down, setting it aside and deciding to help the poor boy out for a second. i made my way to him and smiled understandingly, "don't worry, i'll help you out."

he let me position his body and hands so that he was in a natural looking stance. i couldn't help but be amused by his adorable shyness.

i walked backwards again, reaching for my camera and holding it up to see how it would look. "this is it," i said as i looked into the lens, snapping a couple shots.

i felt sorta bad for putting him on the spot like i did, but hey- he was the one who said yes, and besides the fact that he looked pretty uncomfortable when he posed, he loosened up a bit whenever i made him laugh which helped a lot.

after we were done, we sat back down on the bench and decided to see what we had. most of them were honestly good, even the ones where he was slightly stuff just because of his charming, winter outfit and good looks.

"these are great!" i beamed, not only feeling happy that my idea for the project was looking on the bright side but that i also had spent some time with a cute boy.

isak and i exchanged a few laughs when we came across the first ones, seeing how awkward he was at first until he eased into it.

"i look creepy in that one." he said, pointing at himself in the camera and giggling a bit.

"no you don't," i replied, zooming in on the photo. "see? it's cute." i accidentally said the last part, it was meant to be a thought- but it didn't come out that way.

he glanced at me and we made eye contact, i saw as a light blush rose on his cheeks and we both decided to brush what i said off like it was nothing.

yeah, it was just a compliment.