Out of the Woods

Chapter 3: Todd's Story - Age 9

Now it's back to Phoenix's perspective! This chapter will have more Phalfie moments than the last one and more development than the previous two. . . . I just made their ship name lol.

Anyway please enjoy and tell me if you like how everything is going so far. The older they get, the more they get involved with their family's drama.

Chapter 3: Todd's Story - Age 9

"Phoenix?"

I didn't need the job, per say. It was more out of boredom that I pursued it. I'll admit, I wasn't having the best of days and when I saw the flyer, I made a spontaneous decision in the heat of the moment.

It was the weirdest advertisement. In need of photographer for wedding. Who the hell would put a flyer up with that? As it turns out, the couple were in need of someone who was affordable so, they decided to put up a flyer in the art building's bulletin board. Good thing too, Grandma D had been hassling me to get a job anyway. When I told her I was going to college for photography, she almost had a heart attack. Still, she's paying for me to go there as long as I double major in business. I think for that, I could deal with a little nagging.

I met with the couple at a local café near campus. They weren't much older than me. They had graduated the year before and had been in a relationship for almost eight years. They were so completely and irrevocably in love with each other, it was disgusting . . . in a good way. When I showed them my portfolio, they were sold. It was a beach wedding at the end of June.

And let me tell you, it was beautiful. I'm not one for events like this but, it was truly something to see. I was a little jealous. Seeing all the happy faces. Everyone around me seemed to be glowing. I was the odd one out. I was a dull gray compared to all these vibrant colored souls.

"Phoenix? Is that you?"

I turned around upon hearing the familiar voice.

It was unmistakable. The melodic voice, the long brown hair, the hazel eyes.

"Sawyer."

The wind gave her light blue dress a flowing effect as she waltzed towards me. Her smile was absolutely dazzling. She looked a lot happier since the last time we spoke.

"When I heard Rose say that she hired a tall, dark and handsome photographer, I had no idea it would be you." She didn't give me much time to answer before asking, "What have you been up to these past two years?"

She hadn't changed in the slightest. She was still the chatty Kathy she was in high school. Me, I was different. I try to stay away from people these days, as compared to my younger self who would have loved basking in the attention.

I shrugged, telling her the college I was going to and my majors.

"Business and photography?" Sawyer asked in disbelief, "I expected business but, photography? I never thought of you as the artsy type."

I chuckled and ran a hand through my hair, "Yeah, neither did I."

"I bet Ralph wouldn't be so surprised though. He always did know you better than I ever could."

There was a tense silence that hung in the air after she spoke those words. Stifling, almost. I hadn't spoken to Ralph in two years. My only friend and I haven't spoken to him in two years. I don't even know what he was majoring in.

As if sensing the tenderness, Sawyer swiftly changed the subject and went on to talk about how she was doing. It made me remember why I dated her in high school in the first place. She was distracting and good company.