Creature - |H.S.|

Sixteen

Super long chapter!!! Enjoy!

Nova

The developer from the wash tank fills my nose, giving me a light and airy feeling. The chemicals always make my brain feel intoxicated from the strident fumes. It's not good to stay in here too long, I get too light headed from the exhalation and darkness. The only light comes from the red bulb dangling from the ceiling. Other than that it's pitch black in this small room.

I pick up the reel and customer's film, starting to load the now cut film onto the reel, letting my fingers twist the small pictures around the grated circle. A regular came and dropped off the film this morning. He comes in about every other week, leaving his masterpieces with us in hopes they develop. They're always so captivating. His work is really spectacular and I always look forward to seeing how everything comes out. On the days that I don't work and he comes in, Kim usually waits until I come back to let me develop them. She knows how much I enjoy seeing his work.

It was just me today. Kim was off today at an photography convention. She insisted she close up shop today so that I could come with, but I denied the request. As much as I would have loved to go, the convention was just a short distance away from my hometown. I didn't want to risk running into anyone I know, especially my mom. She would be disappointed in me. I'm just not ready to face the music.

So, that leaves me here. I've been pretty preoccupied today with packaging up other customer's photos along with developing some others that Kim wasn't able to get to. I've stayed in the darkroom for the majority of the day, barely seeing the front of the shop at all. I know my head is going to kill me by the time I leave today and my eyes are going to have a hard time adjusting back to the light, but I love this. I love being back here.

I begin to place the reel of film into the film tank before pouring developer into the tank as well. The potent smell fills the room as the chemicals make its way down into the tube, ready to develop the film. I screw the cap on and then begin to agitate the tank, shaking it around to help the developer seep into the film.

A chime from the bells hanging at the front of the shop makes me stop, tearing me out of my thoughts. I immediately stop and place the small tank on the table before setting a timer for the developer. I walk to the darkroom entrance, sliding my way into the revolving door before turning it to the front of the shop.

When the door slides to the front, my eyes are met with the evening sun breaking it's way in through the shop windows. I squint for a second and stay put, trying to regain my sight and balance from the light and fumes circling my head. When I feel more steady, I make my way out of the cylindrical enclosure looking at the man standing in front of the counter.

His short blonde hair sits perfectly on top of his head while his arms stay crossed behind his back. He wears a grey shirt with a jean jacket over top. His jeans are tight while his black and white converse look like they've seen better days. The man turns his head towards me, displaying welcoming bright blue eyes.

Niall.

I shimmy off my scrub apron before hanging it on a hook on the wall. I make my way to the counter, standing behind it as he begins to lean his elbows against the hard surface.

"Evening," his deep Irish accent breaks the shop's silence as he smiles softly. He's a lot nicer than Harry and the rest of the guys from the club.

"Hey, what can I do for you?" I return the smile, feeling a little more comfortable around him.

Without hesitation he reaches into his jacket pocket and pulls out a small stack of pictures. They're black and white and pretty fuzzy. He pushes the stack towards me, letting me look at the blurry subject.