"Compress more so we can fit you all together," the photographer said. The students did as he said. The photographer noticed a space between two students and ushered them to move closer, yet the students didn't move any further.
"Why won't you move? Move closer, please." The photographer positioned his camera and leveled it to his liking. He knew the students won't move anymore and he just wanted to get his job done as fast as possible. Maybe a classmate of theirs is absent but that student can be inserted at the edges, why the middle then? He heaved a sigh and told them to smile. Yet they just stayed put, their lips not moving either. What kind of class picture is this? He just took the shot and wasn't satisfied. He took another one yet it's the exact same expressions on their faces. He shook his head and told them everything's done for today.
The class formed two lines and went back to their classroom quietly. The photographer arranged his things and proceeded to the principal's office. He knocked three times and heard a faint "come in". After closing the door, he put down his things and sat on the chair in front of the principal. He decided to make things straight. "Sir, I have concerns for one of your class," he began. "As I was taking their pictures, they left a space and won't move. Also, they won't smile. Are they really like this sir?" The photographer asked hesitantly.
The principal massaged his temples and said in a low voice which could be barely heard, "I'm sorry. But could you come again tomorrow and retake their picture? Everything will be explained tomorrow." The photographer had no choice. He didn't have anything to do tomorrow so he agreed.
The next day, he waited patiently for the class to arrive. When they did, they immediately went into their places and like yesterday, they left a space again. And like yesterday, they wore their gloomy faces. He knew the exact reason for this so he took out an object from his bag and gave it to the teacher for her to hold, who sat in the middle. When the teacher caught sight of the said object, she burst in tears. Some students are also tearing up and some comforted them. It was a framed picture of one of the students, who died recently. They don't need to leave a space for him anymore because he has a special place now.
