Post by bullardt on Jul 25, 2011 22:02:38 GMT -6
Here is another short that I worte about a year ago now. Thought it would be fun to post it. Tell me what you think.
BEYOND THE LENS
SHORT STORY
Part one
I was never a huge fan of cameras. I hated pictures of me and I had no idea how to take pictures that would help me pass this class. I sat down in a seat next to Melissa. She had been my best friend since the day I stepped foot on campus. Now starting our third year of college we had each others backs and that meant I had to take this class with her. Our neighbor, Autumn, was an art major and she had this exact same professor last year and she had problems with the class. So I knew that a drama major and a secondary education major were going to have to rely on luck. “Julia I have a feeling that I’m going to like this class.” I looked over at Melissa. She must have lost her mind. She must have understood my expression. “Really, I get to take pictures and turn them in for a grade.” She pulled her camera out of her bag.
“Well if I had a dad that is a professional photographer and had a camera like that I think I would enjoy this class to.” It was on the material list to either bring a camera or rent one from the school. I had a digital camera that I thought was really nice but it was nothing compared to the one that Mel was using.
“It’s just an old one. My dad won’t even use it anymore. He was really excited when I told him about this class. I think he thought I was changing my major to Photography.” She said laughing at me as I picked up her camera and looked at the all the buttons that were on it.
“How do you know how to use it?” I asked. I heard the class get silent and I looked up to see an older women walk into the room. I set Mel’s camera in front of her again and kept my eye on her. She looked frightening, and by the way the rest of the class was acting I was guessing that I wasn’t the only one thinking that.
“If you thought that this class was an easy way to pass your credit for art then let me tell you that the door is right there and if you can walk in it you can also walk out.” She paused for a few seconds and waited to see if anyone had the guts to leave in front of her. No one moved an inch. I wanted to bolt for the door, but I promised Melissa that I would stick this out with her. “Now that I have your attention I want to get started. This class will be hard. You will explore more than what you can see through a lens. You will explore yourself. A picture can describe more than a moment in time. It can describe where you are, where you have been, and where you were at.” Listen to her talk I understood why Autumn said her classes fill up quickly. She was a speaker.
After she was done talking about the true meaning of a photo she told us about our first assignment. We needed to take a picture of action. People walking down the sidewalk, cars driving down street, she wanted us to tell a story through a picture. We had to turn in one photo and a paragraph of what is happening beyond the lens.
The moment she was done telling us about the assignment she picked up her papers and started to walk to the door. Before she left she turned around and looked at us. “We are done for today.” She turned around and walked out of the door.
I finally looked over at Melissa and saw that she had the same look on her face that I had. But before I could say anything she lifted her camera up and snapped a picture. “I think I’ll call this one, ‘The face of bewilderment’.” She started laughing as I rubbed my eyes trying to get the flash to fade away from my vision. Melissa had already packed all her stuff up by the time I was able to see again. “This is your last class for the day, right?” She asked waiting for me as I packed up my stuff.
“Yeah, is this your last class too?” I only had classes on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. So I could work all day on Tuesday and Thursday. I finished packing up my stuff and stood up to join her.
“Yep, didn’t Sydney want us to go to the city with her tonight?” She asked as we made our way to our apartment. It was only a few blocks from campus so it was easier to just walk there. Sydney was our roommate. She just moved in a few weeks ago, but she seemed like a really nice girl. So it only took a few minutes for all f us to get really close. She told us about her boyfriend Andy. She really never went into detail about him, but she told us that he was in a band. She wouldn’t really talk about what band, which was a little weird, but we didn’t bother her about it.
“Yeah, she said something about watching Her boyfriend’s band practice. I guess that could be a good place to get an action shot.” I joked with her. She laughed and we gossiped about the class we just had for the rest of the walk.
Once we walked into the apartment Sydney was there to tell us that we really should go with her tonight. We told her that we already planned on going so she didn’t need to worry about it. “Damn you girls could have called I’ve been thinking of a way to beg you for an hour now.” She said walking down the hall to her room to go and get ready.
“Do you think Autumn has plans tonight, because we could use her to show us how to pass this class?” I said pointing to the camera sitting on the table in the kitchen.
“I don’t know we should go ask her. It would be easier if we had am art major on out side.” She got up from the chair she was sitting in and I followed as we walked to the front door of our apartment. Autumn lived in the apartment next to ours. She used to be our roommate until her parents decided to pay for her apartment so she got to get one for herself. She was at our apartment most of the time anyway so I really didn’t see the point. She even had two extra rooms that no one used. I knocked on her door and waited to see if she was home. I heard the door start to open and saw Autumn was already decked out in her sweat pants and a t-shirt. She just stepped out of the way and we walked in.
“Girl it is only 2 in the afternoon.” I told her as I sat down on her couch.
“I know, but I’m not planning on leaving the house for the rest of today so I think I’ll be ok.” She said while Mel sat down next to me and she sat in a chair next to us.
“Well, that is why we came to see you. We are going to see this band practice today. Sydney’s boyfriend is in it so we are going with her.” She smiled that you-know-I-am-going-to-say-no smile but I kept talking to try to convince her. “Our first assignment for Mrs. Peterson’s class is to take pictures o people in action and we thought that tonight would be a great time to get the photos.” I don’t think I was convincing her at all.
“We could really use your expertise.” Melissa added. I looked over at her and smiled. She was going to use flattery to get her to go with us tonight. I looked back at her and it seemed like she was thinking about it.
“It would be nice to have a little help for your first assignment.” She said I think that means we got her. “What time are we going to leave?” She asked and we knew that she was going.
“We’ll come and get you at three.” I said before we got up and went to get ready for the night.
Part 2
We ended up having to take two cars up there. Autumn and I left at three like we planned, but Sydney and Melissa left earlier because Sydney really wanted to get going and Melissa was ready. We took my car since Sydney gave my turn by turn directions and a well drawn map to tell my how to get there. She said it should only take about forty minutes to get there.
“So what your saying is that we are not were we are suppose to be.” Autumn said into her phone. We had to call because even my gps was confused now. It had been an hour and we were worried. “Yeah we are still on that street.” Autumn said again in to the phone. Sydney was trying to figure out where we were. “I see it. Julia, turn into this parking lot on the left.” She pointed to a shopping mall. I got into the correct lane and pulled into the parking lot.
“This doesn’t look like a place where a band would rehearse.” I said while I parked in an empty spot. I was almost positive that a mall was not a good place for a band to practice.
”Yeah we will just hang around here then.” Autumn said into the phone before she hung it up. “They ended practice early and they are just going to meet us here.” She told me as she put her phone back in her purse.
“Well there goes my assignment.” I told her and I got my purse out of the back seat. She laughed at me and I pulled out my camera.
“All you need is an action shot, right?” She asked me and I nodded my head. “Then look around. We are at a mall, people go to the mall. There are cute clothes, shopping, and people walking to stores. I think there is enough action in a mall.” She opened her door and got out. I followed and got out of the car with her. I locked the doors and put the keys in my purse. “Plus,” She said as we started to walk to the main entrance. “…you have me to help you.”
I laughed and followed her inside the mall. “Can you just take the picture for me and I’ll say that I did it.” I asked her knowing that she wasn’t going to allow it.
She sighed and shook her head. “Just relax, and action shot is about being spur of the moment, not planning. How about we start off with something that you’re comfortable with?” She took the camera from my hand and put it back in my purse.
“And what would that be?” I asked as we walked through the main entrance of the mall.
“Shopping, of course.” We both started to laugh. “Oh come on.” She said walking toward one of the first stores she saw.
We spent about thirty minutes in the store. We tried on some clothes and I took some pictures of some of the outfits we modeled. I didn’t know if I was actually getting any pictures that would work, but I was having too much fun to care about it. “So, do I look good?” I asked her as I stepped out of my dressing room with a fully sequined gold dress that was far too short to make me feel comfortable.
Autumn walked out of her dressing room with a black silk dress on. “That is…well…totally not you.” She smiled at me and the fake model pose I was trying.
“I know, and it itches like no ones business.” I said walking over to the mirror and trying to pull the dress down more. Out of the corner of my eye I saw a flash and I turned to look at her. She was holding one of her cameras. “And now you have black mail.” I smiled at her. She handed me the camera.
“Actually I was going to let you use it. It’s pretty amazing once you learn to use it and I have a few more. I thought it would help you with the class.” She said looking at her dress in the mirror.
“Thanks.” I said looking at the camera. “You’re going to need to give me lessons on how to use it.” I told her and she laughed.
“No problem, I will give you lessons as long as you change back to your normal clothes first.” She said as I walked over to my dressing room.
“You’re just jealous that you didn’t try this on first.” I posed again before I walked into the dressing room. I heard her laughing before I got out of the dress.
I had just put on my normal clothes when my phone rang. “Hello?” I answered it walking out of the dressing room and waiting for Autumn to get day clothes back on.
“Hey, it’s Sydney, we’re almost to the mall, where are you guys at?” She asked on the phone. Autumn walk out of her dressing room and I mouthed to her that it was Sydney.
“We just got done looking at some clothes at Marie’s.” I told her as we mad our way out of the store.
“Alright, if you guys want to just wait outside that store somewhere we can meet you there.” She said.
“Ok we’ll be there.” I told her. We said goodbye and I hung up the phone. “So now you need to teach me how to use this.” I put my phone in my purse and held up the camera.
She gave me a quick explanation on how to take a few pictures. She told me about the different setting on the camera and then had me take a few pictures.
I was about to snap a picture of her when I heard my name and turned around to see who it was. I was looking at the screen that showed the picture though so I really couldn’t see the whole group. The person that I did see did catch my eye.
I lowered my camera and tried to wash the shocked look off of my face.
Part 3
“Julia!” I heard Melissa say again. I tried to refocus my gaze from the guy I was looking at to my friend. Wow, I probably looked like an idiot. Once I looked over at her I smiled again. “Girl, you didn’t start shopping without me, did you?” I laughed. I glanced over at the guy that had caught my eye seconds before. He was still looking at me and when he caught my eye smiled again. “You know you can’t trust Autumn when it comes to fashion.” I looked back over at Melissa.
“Hey, you know that’s not true, and look who’s talking miss sweat pants.” Autumn fired back. Melissa just laughed and gave Autumn a hug.
“Ah, I feel out of the love.” Sydney said then looked at me. “Julia, you’re a horrible cook.”
I looked at her and put both of my hands over my heart. “And you leave your clothes in the dryer.” I said back dramatically. She opened her arms for a hug and I hugged her. After a second we both started laughing but kept the hug going.
“These are the girls that we associate ourselves with?” I hard Autumn ask Melissa so I turned around to glare at her.
“Yes, but for some reason we still love them.” Melissa told her. I smiled and Sydney and I let go of our hug.
“Alright, Julia and Autumn, front and center.” I laughed at her because I was standing right next to her still, but Autumn hurried over and hooked her arm in mine. “I believe some introductions are in order. Guys, these two are my other friends I was telling you about.”
“The ones that got lost.” A tall blonde guy said holding out his hand for us to shake. I shook his hand then Autumn did the same. As Sydney said our names.
“And this is that boy that you have been wondering about, Andy.” She told us.
“So this is Andy. It’s nice to meet you.” Autumn said and Sydney quickly moved on to the other guys so we wouldn’t say anything embarrassing.
“These are his friends, Michael…” She motioned to the guy standing next to Andy. “…Alex….” Then the guy next to Michael waved a little. I heard Autumn giggle a little when he did this. I smiled at him then turned my eyes to the guy next to him. He smiled at me.
“…and my name is Jason.” He said before Sydney had a chance to introduce him. He held out his hand to me and I shook it. I took a few seconds for me to notice that we held on a little longer than normal. It took Michael clearing his throat for Jason to let go. I kept smiling at him, but his smile got a little nervous and he looked down at the ground.
I think everyone around us noticed the moment that Jason and I just had so Melissa was be my side in seconds and hooked her arm in mine and started to walk away with me. “So we are in a mall. I think that is a sign that we to start shopping.” Everyone must have followed us, but I really didn’t look back. Autumn was on the other side of me and Sydney must have decided to walk with Andy. It was her boyfriend so I would forgive her. Melissa peeked behind us then whispered something in my ear. “What was that?” She asked.
“I think Julia has an admirer.” Autumn answered her. I would let them talk about it, deep down I wanted to know what they thought.
“Julia wasn’t exactly stopping it. She started it when she gave him a stare down after she turned around.” Melissa joked and I blushed a little. Great someone noticed, which meant everyone noticed.
“Julia, he’s in a band. You can’t trust guys like that.” Autumn told me seriously. She said this a little louder than se should of.
“What are you talking about Jay’s a great guy.” We all grew silent suddenly when we heard a voice behind us. Then Mike appeared beside Melissa like he had been walk with us the whole time.
We looked at him a little shocked about him bringing himself into the conversation. I wanted to run to my car and get out of there but Autumn and Melissa had a hold of me and I had a feeling they weren’t going to let me run. “Have you been eavesdropping on us?” Melissa asked him.
“Only that last part, and in my opinion I think you were judging to quickly.” He explained and kept up with our pace. “Sydney, Andy and Alex want to go to that new outdoor store…” He started to tell us.
“…the one that is two stories tall?” Autumn asked before he could finish talking.
“Yeah, I believe that is the one.” He smiled and she let go of my arm and walked back to Sydney. I now had one arm free. I think I could take Melissa. I could make a run for it.
“I might skip out on that store Melissa told him and I started making calculations for my get away. I think she knew what I was doing because he arm tightened around mine.
“Then you two can hang with Jay and me. I promise we don’t bite.” When he said this he put his arm around her and she completely dropped my arm. Wow that was a lot easy than I thought it was going to be. I thought about my excuse for leaving again and glanced over at Melissa and Mike. Great, I was now curious what was happening there and couldn’t leave. This afternoon was going to be a long one I could tell.
Part 4
My friends tried to help but usually just made things awkward for me. Like I would have been able to ignore the awkward moment with Jason, but they couldn’t and because of that his friend heard us talking about him.
And I had a feeling that Michael was impossible at keeping his mouth shut about these things. I could tell that he was just thinking of a way to bring it up. Once the group separated I knew it was just a matter of time.
Our group started walking away from the store we left the others at. Jason was walking next to Mike behind Melissa and me. We just started to moving when I heard Mike clear his throat. I had a feeling that he did that so Melissa and I would pay attention. “Jay how did we get this lucky?”
I looked over at Melissa ignoring them and shook my head. “Really?” She started laughing.
“I think they are trying to pay us a compliment.” She said peeking back quickly. I kept my eyes forward so we would run into anyone.
“Oh yeah I forgot we are in a band and you can’t trust us.” I ignored him and so did Melissa, but then she laughed. Fail. Once she laughed Mike walked over to the side of her and I knew that I had lost the battle for her attention. I slowed down and let them walk ahead of me.
“Julia, how’s it going?” Jason said as I started walking his pace beside him. I smiled at glanced over at the smile he was giving me.
“It’s good. How are you doing?” I asked him back. This was classic small talk and every time a conversation turned into small talk I would try to make an exit. But there was still something about this guy that I couldn’t shake.
“Good, so I heard that you don’t trust people in bands. Is there a background story, or is it just a blind implication?” He asked looking forward with a smirk on his face.
“Well then rock star, maybe my ‘blind implication’ was thought of to quickly.” I answered him back. For me to have a back ground story for this my life would have to be a little more exciting than it currently was. So yes, my not trusting of rock stars was all to do with stereotypes. I watched television and those crazy shows they do about people in bands.
“Well I don’t think I’m the rock star that you think I am. I don’t go by the name snake and I don’t have tattoos all over my arms.” He still wasn’t looking over at me. I think he was proud of telling me I was wrong.
“I guess I will have to keep and open mind.” I said looking away from him and up to where Mike and Melissa were walking. They had gained some distance on us. I hooked my arm in his and he looked over at me. I kept my eye forward though.
“I’d like that.” He said as I saw Mike and Mel walk in a store. I ignored that he said that and changed the subject. I was a fan of playing hard to get.
“I think we should follow our friends that have seemed to forget about us.” I joked with him as we moved towards the door.
We walked into the store and tried to find those two people but they were flirting it up. Jason and I decided that we would rather go check out the book store on the other side of mall and left them to themselves. We did text them once we were walking down to the store. I bet it was surprising when they both got it at the same time. “So do you study photography?” Jason asked.
“No, but I am taking a class right now about it. Autumn is actually photography major. I’m a theater major, but I have an assignment to take a picture of movement.” I shrugged knowing that he was wondering about the camera I had earlier.
“Have you gotten anything yet?” He took my hand in the middle of that sentence and held onto it. He was trying to act like it was nothing but I noticed. My smile grew a little.
“Not yet, I did get a few pictures before you guys got here but I don’t think any of them are good enough to use.” I explained to him. I wasn’t good at taking picture and most of them were blurry.
We talked about the project and what exactly I had to do. He said that the rehearsal would have been a good place to get the picture. I knew it would but some how we got lost instead. He thought it was funny that my gps failed me. The signal would just stop working. He thought that something like that happening was very unlikely but I promised him that it happened.
We finished talking about that was we walked into the book store.
Part 5
“So what is the first isle you go into when you are at a bookstore?” I asked him as I sat down across the table. I loved how bookstores always have coffee shops.
“That depends if it has a music section like this one.” He answered with a smirk before he took a drink of his coffee. I gave him a come-on-lets-hear-the-real-answer look. “Alright let me think.” He paused for a while thinking of an answer. “I would probably go to the biography section.”
“So you’re a fan of the true story, non fiction books.” I stated taking a drink of my coffee.
“What is that bad? I’m guessing you read fiction.” He said back to me. I liked how he was trying to copy my attitude when he said that.
“I do like a good fiction, but I have read a few some really good bios before.” I shrugged looking at the counter that we just got our coffee from.
“I could recommend a few more if you need some suggestions.” He told me and leaned back on his chair. I looked back at him. We were both going to play hard to get. I wonder how long this was going to last.
“Alright.” I answered leaning back in my chair. He smiled when I copied him.
There was something about that smile that made me smile. I couldn’t help but get that feeling that I was starting to really like this guy and that wasn’t good. I mean after today when was I going to see him again.
After we spent an hour talking about school and his job we finally started walking around the mall again. He bought a book that he ended up giving to me. It was called ‘Beyond the Lens’ and was written about a famous photographer. He said that it was a really good read and might help me out in the class.
I thought it was funny how he bought it at the first store we went to and didn’t give it to me until we were about to meet everyone to get some dinner. “You really bought it for me?” I asked him as we sat down on a bench were e were going to meet everyone else.
“Yes and it would be rude to give it back to me, so you might as well keep it.” He explained and I put it in my other bag.
“Well thanks.” I thanked him and touched his hand. I saw that smile from the corner of my eye and couldn’t help but smile myself.
“What are you going to do about that assignment?” He asked me. I totally forgot about the picture.
“Well I still have one more day until I really have to turn it in. I’ll think of something.” I shrugged my shoulders and looked back at him.
“You could be mean and take a picture of Mike and Melissa.” He nodded over to the two of them. They were walking towards us but not paying any attention to us. I smiled but shook my head no. That was why I hadn’t taken any pictures since I had started hanging with them. A flash normally called attention.
“I’m not as mean as you plus people would look at the camera first and you are closer to it.” We both laughed and waited for Mike and Melissa to get to the bench. “So where did Andy saw he want to go eat at?”
“Some place in the mall, he is normally good at finding places to eat. I trust him a lot more than I trust Mike.” He threw that sentence in there because he knew Mike could hear him now.
After Mike complained about what Jason said and the two of them started talking amongst them selves Mel sat down with me and Jason stood up to talk with Mike. We both wanted to gossip about our afternoon but the guys were still standing too close. After a few minutes the rest of the group finally showed up and we talked about where we were going to eat.
Andy said that he would lead the way and Sydney took his hand as the started to walk away. Alex looked like he was waiting for autumn to start walking until he started. He had his hands in his pockets but stood beside her the whole time. Jason sat down next to me and Mike held his arm out for Mel to take. I sighed and laid my head on his shoulder. “What is wrong with my friends?” I smiled and lifted my head up again.
“I was about to ask the same thing.” He smiled and we both stood up at the same time. “I don’t think they understand that we are going to New York in a week.”
I liked that he understood exactly what I was thinking. “Yes one week is not enough time to form a connection that will last with that distance. I mean it would take a special guy to get me to believe that is possible.” We were following the group, but we were far enough away so people couldn’t hear us.
“I even warned Mike in the car.” He said walking closer to me. “It hard being the only reasonable person in the band.” By this time we both realized that the other was just saying what we were saying for show. We both knew that we had the same feeling as everyone else had.
“It’s one of those things that I have grown used to.” I smiled the same smile that was on his face and reached down and held on to his hand.
I knew it was a mess, but it felt right.
Part 6
Dinner was pretty funny. I guess me and Jay were doing a good job making people believe that we didn’t like each other because Mel and Autumn saved me a seat between them and Jay was sitting next to Andy and Alex. So I was completely on the other side of the table. It was a little fun though because through out the night the tow people sitting by me weren’t talking to me at all and Jay was having the same problem. They were all in there own little groups so we would randomly look at each other at the same time. I caught him looking at me when I wasn’t paying attention once or twice but he caught me too.
We barely talked through the whole dinner because distance and Mike asked Jay why he was so silent. He said something back to him about how he didn’t even notice he wasn’t talking. I started to laugh and everyone looked at us confused for a few seconds before going back to their conversations.
Jason even walked me back to my car with Autumn and Alex. We joked about Alex giving Autumn his phone number and by the time he said good bye Alex was walking away. He said that he had a great time hanging with me and to make sure I read that book them awkwardly waved and walked away. I wasn’t in the car until I noticed that I never got his phone number and he never got mine.
So the whole ride home while Autumn was on speaker phone with Melissa talking about how amazing the day was all I could think about was how I completely failed. I thought he actually liked me. By the time I had pulled into my normally parking spot and realized that I still had homework to do for Friday I wasn’t exactly pleased with myself. I had come to the conclusion that he liked me, but was too shy to ask for my number.
I didn’t say much to the girls but said that I was really tired and went up to my room. I faked a smile and took a bottle of Advil in there so they would think I had a head ache. I wasn’t an acting major for nothing.
Once I was in my room I laid down in my bed and tossed the bags that I had gotten today on the floor next to me. I took out the camera that Autumn gave me to use and flipped through the few pictures that I had gotten today. Most of them were of me and Autumn trying on clothes. It would make a good collage but that wasn’t the assignment I needed done. I finally got to a picture that I didn’t know I took. It was a group of people walking down the mall. Most importantly the person that it was focused on when I took it.
I sighed and put the camera beside me and lay down again. I really didn’t want to look at a picture of the guy I just let walk away. I thought about the picture again and picked up my camera. I held it in front of my face so I could see it.
This picture could work for it. It was of people walking and talking and having fun. Everyone was looking in different directions except for the guy in the middle. He was looking right at me. Wow, I was an idiot.
I set the camera down happy that I had just finished my assignment and a little sad that it was of him. I got up and went to put on my pjs. I was almost ready for bed when I heard a knock on my door. “Julia I just got off the phone with Andy and he told me that you really need to look at that book you got today.” I heard Sydney say from the other side of the door. “You got a book today?”
“Yeah it’s to do with photography. It’s supposed to help me with my class.” I answered her. I wonder why Andy wants me to open it.
“Oh ok, well Andy just really wants you to open it as soon as you can for some reason.” She said and I heard her footsteps back down the hallway.
I sighed. I really didn’t want to open that book. I didn’t want to think about the guy that gave it to me, but I wanted to know why it was so important that I opened it. I walked over to the bags I had set on the floor earlier and pulled out the book that Jason had bought me.
The cover looked like a normal cover. It had a camera and the words ‘Beyond the Lens’ in gold writing. I opened the front cover and stopped when I saw what was in inside.
On the inside cover was a name not just any name but Jason’s name. It looked like he wrote it in Pen at some point before giving me the book and under was a phone number. I smiled and started digging through my purse to find my phone.
The moment I found it I typed in the number and opened a text message. ‘Very clever.’ I sent to him.
I set my phone on the book and started to pace waiting to see if he would return the text. After a few minutes my phone started flashing. I saw that it was from him and opened it.
‘Well I thought it would take something clever for you to take a chance on a rock star’
THE END
BEYOND THE LENS
SHORT STORY
Part one
I was never a huge fan of cameras. I hated pictures of me and I had no idea how to take pictures that would help me pass this class. I sat down in a seat next to Melissa. She had been my best friend since the day I stepped foot on campus. Now starting our third year of college we had each others backs and that meant I had to take this class with her. Our neighbor, Autumn, was an art major and she had this exact same professor last year and she had problems with the class. So I knew that a drama major and a secondary education major were going to have to rely on luck. “Julia I have a feeling that I’m going to like this class.” I looked over at Melissa. She must have lost her mind. She must have understood my expression. “Really, I get to take pictures and turn them in for a grade.” She pulled her camera out of her bag.
“Well if I had a dad that is a professional photographer and had a camera like that I think I would enjoy this class to.” It was on the material list to either bring a camera or rent one from the school. I had a digital camera that I thought was really nice but it was nothing compared to the one that Mel was using.
“It’s just an old one. My dad won’t even use it anymore. He was really excited when I told him about this class. I think he thought I was changing my major to Photography.” She said laughing at me as I picked up her camera and looked at the all the buttons that were on it.
“How do you know how to use it?” I asked. I heard the class get silent and I looked up to see an older women walk into the room. I set Mel’s camera in front of her again and kept my eye on her. She looked frightening, and by the way the rest of the class was acting I was guessing that I wasn’t the only one thinking that.
“If you thought that this class was an easy way to pass your credit for art then let me tell you that the door is right there and if you can walk in it you can also walk out.” She paused for a few seconds and waited to see if anyone had the guts to leave in front of her. No one moved an inch. I wanted to bolt for the door, but I promised Melissa that I would stick this out with her. “Now that I have your attention I want to get started. This class will be hard. You will explore more than what you can see through a lens. You will explore yourself. A picture can describe more than a moment in time. It can describe where you are, where you have been, and where you were at.” Listen to her talk I understood why Autumn said her classes fill up quickly. She was a speaker.
After she was done talking about the true meaning of a photo she told us about our first assignment. We needed to take a picture of action. People walking down the sidewalk, cars driving down street, she wanted us to tell a story through a picture. We had to turn in one photo and a paragraph of what is happening beyond the lens.
The moment she was done telling us about the assignment she picked up her papers and started to walk to the door. Before she left she turned around and looked at us. “We are done for today.” She turned around and walked out of the door.
I finally looked over at Melissa and saw that she had the same look on her face that I had. But before I could say anything she lifted her camera up and snapped a picture. “I think I’ll call this one, ‘The face of bewilderment’.” She started laughing as I rubbed my eyes trying to get the flash to fade away from my vision. Melissa had already packed all her stuff up by the time I was able to see again. “This is your last class for the day, right?” She asked waiting for me as I packed up my stuff.
“Yeah, is this your last class too?” I only had classes on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. So I could work all day on Tuesday and Thursday. I finished packing up my stuff and stood up to join her.
“Yep, didn’t Sydney want us to go to the city with her tonight?” She asked as we made our way to our apartment. It was only a few blocks from campus so it was easier to just walk there. Sydney was our roommate. She just moved in a few weeks ago, but she seemed like a really nice girl. So it only took a few minutes for all f us to get really close. She told us about her boyfriend Andy. She really never went into detail about him, but she told us that he was in a band. She wouldn’t really talk about what band, which was a little weird, but we didn’t bother her about it.
“Yeah, she said something about watching Her boyfriend’s band practice. I guess that could be a good place to get an action shot.” I joked with her. She laughed and we gossiped about the class we just had for the rest of the walk.
Once we walked into the apartment Sydney was there to tell us that we really should go with her tonight. We told her that we already planned on going so she didn’t need to worry about it. “Damn you girls could have called I’ve been thinking of a way to beg you for an hour now.” She said walking down the hall to her room to go and get ready.
“Do you think Autumn has plans tonight, because we could use her to show us how to pass this class?” I said pointing to the camera sitting on the table in the kitchen.
“I don’t know we should go ask her. It would be easier if we had am art major on out side.” She got up from the chair she was sitting in and I followed as we walked to the front door of our apartment. Autumn lived in the apartment next to ours. She used to be our roommate until her parents decided to pay for her apartment so she got to get one for herself. She was at our apartment most of the time anyway so I really didn’t see the point. She even had two extra rooms that no one used. I knocked on her door and waited to see if she was home. I heard the door start to open and saw Autumn was already decked out in her sweat pants and a t-shirt. She just stepped out of the way and we walked in.
“Girl it is only 2 in the afternoon.” I told her as I sat down on her couch.
“I know, but I’m not planning on leaving the house for the rest of today so I think I’ll be ok.” She said while Mel sat down next to me and she sat in a chair next to us.
“Well, that is why we came to see you. We are going to see this band practice today. Sydney’s boyfriend is in it so we are going with her.” She smiled that you-know-I-am-going-to-say-no smile but I kept talking to try to convince her. “Our first assignment for Mrs. Peterson’s class is to take pictures o people in action and we thought that tonight would be a great time to get the photos.” I don’t think I was convincing her at all.
“We could really use your expertise.” Melissa added. I looked over at her and smiled. She was going to use flattery to get her to go with us tonight. I looked back at her and it seemed like she was thinking about it.
“It would be nice to have a little help for your first assignment.” She said I think that means we got her. “What time are we going to leave?” She asked and we knew that she was going.
“We’ll come and get you at three.” I said before we got up and went to get ready for the night.
Part 2
We ended up having to take two cars up there. Autumn and I left at three like we planned, but Sydney and Melissa left earlier because Sydney really wanted to get going and Melissa was ready. We took my car since Sydney gave my turn by turn directions and a well drawn map to tell my how to get there. She said it should only take about forty minutes to get there.
“So what your saying is that we are not were we are suppose to be.” Autumn said into her phone. We had to call because even my gps was confused now. It had been an hour and we were worried. “Yeah we are still on that street.” Autumn said again in to the phone. Sydney was trying to figure out where we were. “I see it. Julia, turn into this parking lot on the left.” She pointed to a shopping mall. I got into the correct lane and pulled into the parking lot.
“This doesn’t look like a place where a band would rehearse.” I said while I parked in an empty spot. I was almost positive that a mall was not a good place for a band to practice.
”Yeah we will just hang around here then.” Autumn said into the phone before she hung it up. “They ended practice early and they are just going to meet us here.” She told me as she put her phone back in her purse.
“Well there goes my assignment.” I told her and I got my purse out of the back seat. She laughed at me and I pulled out my camera.
“All you need is an action shot, right?” She asked me and I nodded my head. “Then look around. We are at a mall, people go to the mall. There are cute clothes, shopping, and people walking to stores. I think there is enough action in a mall.” She opened her door and got out. I followed and got out of the car with her. I locked the doors and put the keys in my purse. “Plus,” She said as we started to walk to the main entrance. “…you have me to help you.”
I laughed and followed her inside the mall. “Can you just take the picture for me and I’ll say that I did it.” I asked her knowing that she wasn’t going to allow it.
She sighed and shook her head. “Just relax, and action shot is about being spur of the moment, not planning. How about we start off with something that you’re comfortable with?” She took the camera from my hand and put it back in my purse.
“And what would that be?” I asked as we walked through the main entrance of the mall.
“Shopping, of course.” We both started to laugh. “Oh come on.” She said walking toward one of the first stores she saw.
We spent about thirty minutes in the store. We tried on some clothes and I took some pictures of some of the outfits we modeled. I didn’t know if I was actually getting any pictures that would work, but I was having too much fun to care about it. “So, do I look good?” I asked her as I stepped out of my dressing room with a fully sequined gold dress that was far too short to make me feel comfortable.
Autumn walked out of her dressing room with a black silk dress on. “That is…well…totally not you.” She smiled at me and the fake model pose I was trying.
“I know, and it itches like no ones business.” I said walking over to the mirror and trying to pull the dress down more. Out of the corner of my eye I saw a flash and I turned to look at her. She was holding one of her cameras. “And now you have black mail.” I smiled at her. She handed me the camera.
“Actually I was going to let you use it. It’s pretty amazing once you learn to use it and I have a few more. I thought it would help you with the class.” She said looking at her dress in the mirror.
“Thanks.” I said looking at the camera. “You’re going to need to give me lessons on how to use it.” I told her and she laughed.
“No problem, I will give you lessons as long as you change back to your normal clothes first.” She said as I walked over to my dressing room.
“You’re just jealous that you didn’t try this on first.” I posed again before I walked into the dressing room. I heard her laughing before I got out of the dress.
I had just put on my normal clothes when my phone rang. “Hello?” I answered it walking out of the dressing room and waiting for Autumn to get day clothes back on.
“Hey, it’s Sydney, we’re almost to the mall, where are you guys at?” She asked on the phone. Autumn walk out of her dressing room and I mouthed to her that it was Sydney.
“We just got done looking at some clothes at Marie’s.” I told her as we mad our way out of the store.
“Alright, if you guys want to just wait outside that store somewhere we can meet you there.” She said.
“Ok we’ll be there.” I told her. We said goodbye and I hung up the phone. “So now you need to teach me how to use this.” I put my phone in my purse and held up the camera.
She gave me a quick explanation on how to take a few pictures. She told me about the different setting on the camera and then had me take a few pictures.
I was about to snap a picture of her when I heard my name and turned around to see who it was. I was looking at the screen that showed the picture though so I really couldn’t see the whole group. The person that I did see did catch my eye.
I lowered my camera and tried to wash the shocked look off of my face.
Part 3
“Julia!” I heard Melissa say again. I tried to refocus my gaze from the guy I was looking at to my friend. Wow, I probably looked like an idiot. Once I looked over at her I smiled again. “Girl, you didn’t start shopping without me, did you?” I laughed. I glanced over at the guy that had caught my eye seconds before. He was still looking at me and when he caught my eye smiled again. “You know you can’t trust Autumn when it comes to fashion.” I looked back over at Melissa.
“Hey, you know that’s not true, and look who’s talking miss sweat pants.” Autumn fired back. Melissa just laughed and gave Autumn a hug.
“Ah, I feel out of the love.” Sydney said then looked at me. “Julia, you’re a horrible cook.”
I looked at her and put both of my hands over my heart. “And you leave your clothes in the dryer.” I said back dramatically. She opened her arms for a hug and I hugged her. After a second we both started laughing but kept the hug going.
“These are the girls that we associate ourselves with?” I hard Autumn ask Melissa so I turned around to glare at her.
“Yes, but for some reason we still love them.” Melissa told her. I smiled and Sydney and I let go of our hug.
“Alright, Julia and Autumn, front and center.” I laughed at her because I was standing right next to her still, but Autumn hurried over and hooked her arm in mine. “I believe some introductions are in order. Guys, these two are my other friends I was telling you about.”
“The ones that got lost.” A tall blonde guy said holding out his hand for us to shake. I shook his hand then Autumn did the same. As Sydney said our names.
“And this is that boy that you have been wondering about, Andy.” She told us.
“So this is Andy. It’s nice to meet you.” Autumn said and Sydney quickly moved on to the other guys so we wouldn’t say anything embarrassing.
“These are his friends, Michael…” She motioned to the guy standing next to Andy. “…Alex….” Then the guy next to Michael waved a little. I heard Autumn giggle a little when he did this. I smiled at him then turned my eyes to the guy next to him. He smiled at me.
“…and my name is Jason.” He said before Sydney had a chance to introduce him. He held out his hand to me and I shook it. I took a few seconds for me to notice that we held on a little longer than normal. It took Michael clearing his throat for Jason to let go. I kept smiling at him, but his smile got a little nervous and he looked down at the ground.
I think everyone around us noticed the moment that Jason and I just had so Melissa was be my side in seconds and hooked her arm in mine and started to walk away with me. “So we are in a mall. I think that is a sign that we to start shopping.” Everyone must have followed us, but I really didn’t look back. Autumn was on the other side of me and Sydney must have decided to walk with Andy. It was her boyfriend so I would forgive her. Melissa peeked behind us then whispered something in my ear. “What was that?” She asked.
“I think Julia has an admirer.” Autumn answered her. I would let them talk about it, deep down I wanted to know what they thought.
“Julia wasn’t exactly stopping it. She started it when she gave him a stare down after she turned around.” Melissa joked and I blushed a little. Great someone noticed, which meant everyone noticed.
“Julia, he’s in a band. You can’t trust guys like that.” Autumn told me seriously. She said this a little louder than se should of.
“What are you talking about Jay’s a great guy.” We all grew silent suddenly when we heard a voice behind us. Then Mike appeared beside Melissa like he had been walk with us the whole time.
We looked at him a little shocked about him bringing himself into the conversation. I wanted to run to my car and get out of there but Autumn and Melissa had a hold of me and I had a feeling they weren’t going to let me run. “Have you been eavesdropping on us?” Melissa asked him.
“Only that last part, and in my opinion I think you were judging to quickly.” He explained and kept up with our pace. “Sydney, Andy and Alex want to go to that new outdoor store…” He started to tell us.
“…the one that is two stories tall?” Autumn asked before he could finish talking.
“Yeah, I believe that is the one.” He smiled and she let go of my arm and walked back to Sydney. I now had one arm free. I think I could take Melissa. I could make a run for it.
“I might skip out on that store Melissa told him and I started making calculations for my get away. I think she knew what I was doing because he arm tightened around mine.
“Then you two can hang with Jay and me. I promise we don’t bite.” When he said this he put his arm around her and she completely dropped my arm. Wow that was a lot easy than I thought it was going to be. I thought about my excuse for leaving again and glanced over at Melissa and Mike. Great, I was now curious what was happening there and couldn’t leave. This afternoon was going to be a long one I could tell.
Part 4
My friends tried to help but usually just made things awkward for me. Like I would have been able to ignore the awkward moment with Jason, but they couldn’t and because of that his friend heard us talking about him.
And I had a feeling that Michael was impossible at keeping his mouth shut about these things. I could tell that he was just thinking of a way to bring it up. Once the group separated I knew it was just a matter of time.
Our group started walking away from the store we left the others at. Jason was walking next to Mike behind Melissa and me. We just started to moving when I heard Mike clear his throat. I had a feeling that he did that so Melissa and I would pay attention. “Jay how did we get this lucky?”
I looked over at Melissa ignoring them and shook my head. “Really?” She started laughing.
“I think they are trying to pay us a compliment.” She said peeking back quickly. I kept my eyes forward so we would run into anyone.
“Oh yeah I forgot we are in a band and you can’t trust us.” I ignored him and so did Melissa, but then she laughed. Fail. Once she laughed Mike walked over to the side of her and I knew that I had lost the battle for her attention. I slowed down and let them walk ahead of me.
“Julia, how’s it going?” Jason said as I started walking his pace beside him. I smiled at glanced over at the smile he was giving me.
“It’s good. How are you doing?” I asked him back. This was classic small talk and every time a conversation turned into small talk I would try to make an exit. But there was still something about this guy that I couldn’t shake.
“Good, so I heard that you don’t trust people in bands. Is there a background story, or is it just a blind implication?” He asked looking forward with a smirk on his face.
“Well then rock star, maybe my ‘blind implication’ was thought of to quickly.” I answered him back. For me to have a back ground story for this my life would have to be a little more exciting than it currently was. So yes, my not trusting of rock stars was all to do with stereotypes. I watched television and those crazy shows they do about people in bands.
“Well I don’t think I’m the rock star that you think I am. I don’t go by the name snake and I don’t have tattoos all over my arms.” He still wasn’t looking over at me. I think he was proud of telling me I was wrong.
“I guess I will have to keep and open mind.” I said looking away from him and up to where Mike and Melissa were walking. They had gained some distance on us. I hooked my arm in his and he looked over at me. I kept my eye forward though.
“I’d like that.” He said as I saw Mike and Mel walk in a store. I ignored that he said that and changed the subject. I was a fan of playing hard to get.
“I think we should follow our friends that have seemed to forget about us.” I joked with him as we moved towards the door.
We walked into the store and tried to find those two people but they were flirting it up. Jason and I decided that we would rather go check out the book store on the other side of mall and left them to themselves. We did text them once we were walking down to the store. I bet it was surprising when they both got it at the same time. “So do you study photography?” Jason asked.
“No, but I am taking a class right now about it. Autumn is actually photography major. I’m a theater major, but I have an assignment to take a picture of movement.” I shrugged knowing that he was wondering about the camera I had earlier.
“Have you gotten anything yet?” He took my hand in the middle of that sentence and held onto it. He was trying to act like it was nothing but I noticed. My smile grew a little.
“Not yet, I did get a few pictures before you guys got here but I don’t think any of them are good enough to use.” I explained to him. I wasn’t good at taking picture and most of them were blurry.
We talked about the project and what exactly I had to do. He said that the rehearsal would have been a good place to get the picture. I knew it would but some how we got lost instead. He thought it was funny that my gps failed me. The signal would just stop working. He thought that something like that happening was very unlikely but I promised him that it happened.
We finished talking about that was we walked into the book store.
Part 5
“So what is the first isle you go into when you are at a bookstore?” I asked him as I sat down across the table. I loved how bookstores always have coffee shops.
“That depends if it has a music section like this one.” He answered with a smirk before he took a drink of his coffee. I gave him a come-on-lets-hear-the-real-answer look. “Alright let me think.” He paused for a while thinking of an answer. “I would probably go to the biography section.”
“So you’re a fan of the true story, non fiction books.” I stated taking a drink of my coffee.
“What is that bad? I’m guessing you read fiction.” He said back to me. I liked how he was trying to copy my attitude when he said that.
“I do like a good fiction, but I have read a few some really good bios before.” I shrugged looking at the counter that we just got our coffee from.
“I could recommend a few more if you need some suggestions.” He told me and leaned back on his chair. I looked back at him. We were both going to play hard to get. I wonder how long this was going to last.
“Alright.” I answered leaning back in my chair. He smiled when I copied him.
There was something about that smile that made me smile. I couldn’t help but get that feeling that I was starting to really like this guy and that wasn’t good. I mean after today when was I going to see him again.
After we spent an hour talking about school and his job we finally started walking around the mall again. He bought a book that he ended up giving to me. It was called ‘Beyond the Lens’ and was written about a famous photographer. He said that it was a really good read and might help me out in the class.
I thought it was funny how he bought it at the first store we went to and didn’t give it to me until we were about to meet everyone to get some dinner. “You really bought it for me?” I asked him as we sat down on a bench were e were going to meet everyone else.
“Yes and it would be rude to give it back to me, so you might as well keep it.” He explained and I put it in my other bag.
“Well thanks.” I thanked him and touched his hand. I saw that smile from the corner of my eye and couldn’t help but smile myself.
“What are you going to do about that assignment?” He asked me. I totally forgot about the picture.
“Well I still have one more day until I really have to turn it in. I’ll think of something.” I shrugged my shoulders and looked back at him.
“You could be mean and take a picture of Mike and Melissa.” He nodded over to the two of them. They were walking towards us but not paying any attention to us. I smiled but shook my head no. That was why I hadn’t taken any pictures since I had started hanging with them. A flash normally called attention.
“I’m not as mean as you plus people would look at the camera first and you are closer to it.” We both laughed and waited for Mike and Melissa to get to the bench. “So where did Andy saw he want to go eat at?”
“Some place in the mall, he is normally good at finding places to eat. I trust him a lot more than I trust Mike.” He threw that sentence in there because he knew Mike could hear him now.
After Mike complained about what Jason said and the two of them started talking amongst them selves Mel sat down with me and Jason stood up to talk with Mike. We both wanted to gossip about our afternoon but the guys were still standing too close. After a few minutes the rest of the group finally showed up and we talked about where we were going to eat.
Andy said that he would lead the way and Sydney took his hand as the started to walk away. Alex looked like he was waiting for autumn to start walking until he started. He had his hands in his pockets but stood beside her the whole time. Jason sat down next to me and Mike held his arm out for Mel to take. I sighed and laid my head on his shoulder. “What is wrong with my friends?” I smiled and lifted my head up again.
“I was about to ask the same thing.” He smiled and we both stood up at the same time. “I don’t think they understand that we are going to New York in a week.”
I liked that he understood exactly what I was thinking. “Yes one week is not enough time to form a connection that will last with that distance. I mean it would take a special guy to get me to believe that is possible.” We were following the group, but we were far enough away so people couldn’t hear us.
“I even warned Mike in the car.” He said walking closer to me. “It hard being the only reasonable person in the band.” By this time we both realized that the other was just saying what we were saying for show. We both knew that we had the same feeling as everyone else had.
“It’s one of those things that I have grown used to.” I smiled the same smile that was on his face and reached down and held on to his hand.
I knew it was a mess, but it felt right.
Part 6
Dinner was pretty funny. I guess me and Jay were doing a good job making people believe that we didn’t like each other because Mel and Autumn saved me a seat between them and Jay was sitting next to Andy and Alex. So I was completely on the other side of the table. It was a little fun though because through out the night the tow people sitting by me weren’t talking to me at all and Jay was having the same problem. They were all in there own little groups so we would randomly look at each other at the same time. I caught him looking at me when I wasn’t paying attention once or twice but he caught me too.
We barely talked through the whole dinner because distance and Mike asked Jay why he was so silent. He said something back to him about how he didn’t even notice he wasn’t talking. I started to laugh and everyone looked at us confused for a few seconds before going back to their conversations.
Jason even walked me back to my car with Autumn and Alex. We joked about Alex giving Autumn his phone number and by the time he said good bye Alex was walking away. He said that he had a great time hanging with me and to make sure I read that book them awkwardly waved and walked away. I wasn’t in the car until I noticed that I never got his phone number and he never got mine.
So the whole ride home while Autumn was on speaker phone with Melissa talking about how amazing the day was all I could think about was how I completely failed. I thought he actually liked me. By the time I had pulled into my normally parking spot and realized that I still had homework to do for Friday I wasn’t exactly pleased with myself. I had come to the conclusion that he liked me, but was too shy to ask for my number.
I didn’t say much to the girls but said that I was really tired and went up to my room. I faked a smile and took a bottle of Advil in there so they would think I had a head ache. I wasn’t an acting major for nothing.
Once I was in my room I laid down in my bed and tossed the bags that I had gotten today on the floor next to me. I took out the camera that Autumn gave me to use and flipped through the few pictures that I had gotten today. Most of them were of me and Autumn trying on clothes. It would make a good collage but that wasn’t the assignment I needed done. I finally got to a picture that I didn’t know I took. It was a group of people walking down the mall. Most importantly the person that it was focused on when I took it.
I sighed and put the camera beside me and lay down again. I really didn’t want to look at a picture of the guy I just let walk away. I thought about the picture again and picked up my camera. I held it in front of my face so I could see it.
This picture could work for it. It was of people walking and talking and having fun. Everyone was looking in different directions except for the guy in the middle. He was looking right at me. Wow, I was an idiot.
I set the camera down happy that I had just finished my assignment and a little sad that it was of him. I got up and went to put on my pjs. I was almost ready for bed when I heard a knock on my door. “Julia I just got off the phone with Andy and he told me that you really need to look at that book you got today.” I heard Sydney say from the other side of the door. “You got a book today?”
“Yeah it’s to do with photography. It’s supposed to help me with my class.” I answered her. I wonder why Andy wants me to open it.
“Oh ok, well Andy just really wants you to open it as soon as you can for some reason.” She said and I heard her footsteps back down the hallway.
I sighed. I really didn’t want to open that book. I didn’t want to think about the guy that gave it to me, but I wanted to know why it was so important that I opened it. I walked over to the bags I had set on the floor earlier and pulled out the book that Jason had bought me.
The cover looked like a normal cover. It had a camera and the words ‘Beyond the Lens’ in gold writing. I opened the front cover and stopped when I saw what was in inside.
On the inside cover was a name not just any name but Jason’s name. It looked like he wrote it in Pen at some point before giving me the book and under was a phone number. I smiled and started digging through my purse to find my phone.
The moment I found it I typed in the number and opened a text message. ‘Very clever.’ I sent to him.
I set my phone on the book and started to pace waiting to see if he would return the text. After a few minutes my phone started flashing. I saw that it was from him and opened it.
‘Well I thought it would take something clever for you to take a chance on a rock star’
THE END
