I roll my eyes. “That’s not my method.”
“Then you’re going to have a whole lot of nothing if you don’t take at least something.” He watches me with crossed arms and nods towards the mountains. “Just one picture. Not that hard. You just push the little button at the top. I can take it for you if you want.”
I scowl at him, immediately recalling the last time he touched my camera. “No, that’s quite alright,” I say while putting my camera up to my face. “I don’t need any more dick pics.”
He chuckles and in that instant, even if it is a crappy shot, I push the button and hold it, taking at least ten shots of the mountains in the distance. I go to open my display, but Seth is already sprinting ahead of me. “Look at it later,” he calls, waving at me to join him. “We won’t have time for everything at this rate.”
This really is going to be interesting, I think while slinging my camera over my shoulder and running after him.
The entire day I follow Seth around Aurora while taking pictures of coffee shops, the lighting in the surrounding woods, people playing music in the small college town square and every time I question whether or not it’s the right shot, Seth pressures me to push the button no matter what.
And I have to hand it to Seth, he’s really good at getting me to do what I don’t want to. I never realized before how much I questioned myself, I think while flipping through the display screen on my camera, chuckling at one shot I took of Seth making a face at some dog poo he stepped in. I probably shouldn’t use this for my project, I tell myself while quickly pressing the button and staring at a beautiful picture of the woods just on the outskirts of town. I find myself scrutinizing the picture, yet finding absolutely nothing wrong with it. The light slips in through the trees perfectly, showing the difference in shadows and depth.
I wouldn’t have taken this without Seth, I realize, glancing up and watching him placing our orders at the cash register. After spending the entire day around campus, Seth and I wind up at The Cup. It’s a cute little cafe situated in the heart of town and we were able to swindle a table next to the window from an elderly couple a few minutes prior. I gaze out the window overlooking the town when I see Seth heading back towards me.
I don’t need him knowing I was looking at him.
“Coffee will be ready in a few minutes,” he says and sits down in the chair across from me. “Wow,” I hear him say and look over, catching him taking my camera and looking at the picture with the woods. “You’re actually pretty good.”
I smile. “Thanks to you.” I shake my head when my gaze catches on the initial first shot of the day with the sun rising over the mountains. “I wouldn’t have been able to capture anything if it wasn’t for you.”
Seth shrugs. “You just gotta let go. It’s like running.”
I raise an eyebrow. “How is photography anything like running?”
Seth nods to the waiter when he sets down the coffee mugs in front of us. My hands instantly reach for the warmth, inhaling the intoxicating scent of mocha before diving in and licking cream from my lips. When I look up I see Seth watching me and flush.
“Well, running has always helped me let go,” he says, reaching forward to wipe cream from my upper lip.
I watch him lick the white residue from his fingers. I shift uncomfortably in my chair as I remember his kisses on the couch. I cross my legs tightly, accidentally touching his leg with my foot. His nostrils flare and I ignore the tightness I feel in the pit of my stomach. “How so?” I breathe. I run my hands through my hair to give me something to do other than stare at his lips.
Seth shrugs. He looks at the window for a moment as if seeing something that isn’t there. “Dad walks out, go for a run. Mom can’t pay the bills, go for a run. Guys are assholes at school, go for a run.” He shrugs again before taking a sip from his filtered coffee. “It’s just how I’ve always been able to let go of the stress.”
“Really?” I ask, imagining young Seth going through all that. It’s hard. He’s definitely a dick, but now hearing it I realize that there is a reason for the tough exterior.
“What do you mean ‘really’?” Seth says between sips of coffee.
“You went through all…” I wave my hand, not wanting to repeat everything. It’s probably hard enough saying it. Especially in this society when men shouldn’t show their feelings.
He shrugs and casts his gaze back to his coffee. “It doesn’t really matter. Running has always helped me through the shit.”
I nod, pressing my lips together into a thin smile. “I guess I should try it some time.”
His gaze pops up to me and he smirks while leaning back in his chair. “You? Try running?” He looks me up and down. “I thought you hated us jocks?”
I roll my eyes. “Well, you don’t make it easy to like you.”
Seth scoffs. “What do you mean? You had an attitude before I even met you.”
“I did not,” I say a bit too loudly. I slump down when I feel several students casting annoyed looks in my direction.
Seth leans in close, his nose nearly brushing mine. “Did too,” he says while his gaze dips down to my lips.
I lean in close. Our lips are only a breath away. My nose nuzzles gently against his. Briefly. “You were a complete asshole to me the first day,” I whisper. “You called me stupid.”
Seth chuckles softly. He doesn’t move away, which sends a thrill through me like none other. Is he enjoying this as much
