"Hmm, no, I like the lighting in the first one better," Aphmau said after I flicked through two different photos I had taken earlier. I smiled as I deleted the one she liked least.

"Thanks," I said. She nodded.

"I'm going to go find Katelyn, see you tonight?" She asked. My mom had invited Sylvanna over to dinner tonight, which meant that Aphmau would be there too. I nod and bid her goodbye before she skipped off. I turned back to my camera as I flipped through a few more photos. Sure, they're nice, but not what I was looking for.

I sigh and lift my head, looking around the hallway for any source of inspiration. A few people walk in groups along the sides of the hall, while some rush around solo. I turn my head to the right and audibly gasp. Leaning against the wall across from me, just a bit further down, is quite possibly the most attractive guy I'd ever seen. He scanned the pages of the book he currently had his nose in and his pale blue eyes seemed to sparkle in interest. His chocolate brown hair wasn't too long, but long enough to be pulled back into a tiny ponytail. His skintone was only a few shades lighter than his hair, and freckles were visible along his cheeks. I carefully observed how delicately he turned the page of the book he was reading, continuing to gaze down at the words as if in a trance.

I'm so captivated that I nearly miss the sound of the bell signaling it was time for next period. I watch as he folds the corner of the page he left off on and shut the book before walking across the hall to the door that led to the history classroom. The door opens and he walks inside. I blink a few times before realizing that if I didn't hurry I'd be late. I shut off my camera and rush to my next classthe only thing on my mind being that boy.

I gazed out the window of the bus. Unfortunately, I lived a bit further away away from the school. This meant that I was one of the last students to be dropped off. I turned to look around and see how many people were still in the bus with me, the answer being not too many. Two girls sit a few rows ahead of me, but I immediately recognize the back of a certain boy's head at the front of the bus. How could I not? The image of his rather small ponytail had burned into my mind throughout the day. In his hands he held the same book from before, still equally captivated by the story it held.

I continue to stare, watching him turn his head ever so slightly once he finished one page and went to continue reading on the other. I could hear the thin paper move as he turned pages.

The bus comes to a stop and I watch as the two girls in front of me stand up and leave the bus. Once it starts up again, I hesitate to stand. Once I do, I quickly move up a few rows so that I'm closer to the boy. I glance up at the bus driver to check and see if he noticed, which he hasn't. I fix my gaze back on the boy. I'm able to observe his side profile after moving closer, and he still looks just as handsome as before.

The boy seems to feel my gaze as he turns his head and makes eye contact with me. I instantly turn to look out the window, panicking at the fact that he had caught me staring. A furious blush now coats my usually pale complexion and I scold myself for not getting a tan over the summer like Aphmau had said I should've done. I glance back over at him and see that he had since shut his book and placed it in his lap. His head rests against the side of the bus and I can't help but wish it was my shoulder he was resting on.

Literature.

That's what the small slip of paper I had earlier drawn from a hat in photography club said. This week's assignment was to take a random subject and put how we viewed it into a small photo collage. My first thought was to go to a library and maybe take photos of a few people reading. I turned to look to my right and saw a group of young children surrounding a man in a chair. The man held a book in both of his hands. "The Ostler and I," it read.

I smiled and stepped closer to the group, positioning myself so that I was crouched down on one knee. I brought my camera up to my eyes and adjusted it a little so I got a good shot of all the children's faces. Each of them seemed to be so interested in the story this man was telling. I snapped a few photos before standing up and continuing my search. I'd flip through the shots later.

A few minutes later, I find myself taking a few photos of some people reading through a space I had made on a shelf after pushing several books to the side. As the camera came into focus, I recognized the features of one person sitting in an arm chair in the corner. It was the boy I had seen in the hallways and on the bus. A small smile replaced the focused expression on my face as I zoomed in on him. I snapped a few photos that I was sure would turn out amazing. Eventually he seems to notice me, as he peels his eyes off of the book he's reading. I consider fixing my camera focus but decide against it, taking a few more photos. His eyes make contact with the camera lens and a smile stretches across his lips. I quickly take two more photos before pulling my camera away from my face and walking off. I brought the hand that wasn't holding my camera to my chest, feeling my heart beating against it. It felt like an arrow had struck me right in the heart. I felt really giddy and fluttery as I found myself unable to wipe the grin off of my face. I began to make my way towards the exit with a small skip in my step.

He smiled at me...

Click.

Click.

Click.

I found the boy in the same spot in that hallway again, reading a different book this time. I didn't hesitate to snap a few photos as I peered around the corner at him. He looked amazing in the school uniform. It made me wonder what he'd look like in more casual clothing. Just the thought of him wearing skinny jeans and a simple t-shirt paired with a jacket made my heart flutter.

Click.

He heard this time.

His head turned towards my direction. I gasped and ducked back around the corner, trying to avoid his gaze. I hear a small chuckle that makes my feel all fuzzy inside before there's nothing but the sound of distant voices from other students talking. I peered back around and see that he's now focused back on his book. I emerge from behind the corner and walked a little ways down the hall and towards the window that peered out onto the large field. I adjusted my camera a bit and brought it back up to my eyes. I turned back towards the boy and snapped a few more photos. After taking the third one he turns. I instantly shift the camera angle so that its focused on the field outside that's currently covered in white snow. I end up taking a few more photos because I find it to be a pretty sight. I pull my face away from the camera and turn to look back at the boy.

He wasn't there.

I pull my jacket closer to me as I shiver at the feeling of cold air hitting my face. The ends of my ears sting and the tip of my nose feels the same. I glance up at the sign for the café I was approaching, enjoying the thought of a nice hot drink. As I pass the window I peer inside the small building. One person catches my eye. For whatever reason, I had been finding this boy everywhere... No matter how often I saw him, he never failed to make my heart flutter. He held a mug in his hands and he gazed outside. His eyes met mind and I froze in place, unable to pull my gaze away from his. He places his mug down on the table and only stares at me. All sounds from the street behind me is now muffled by the loud beating of my heart. I feel nothing but giddy, as if I'm a happy child going down a slide that never ends. I feel like bouncing on my toes in the midst of enjoying the feeling but I prevent myself from doing so. I watch as he smiles, revealing his perfect teeth, and he lifts his hand. He motions for me to come inside before pointing at the chair across from him, gesturing for me to sit with him. I smile and peel my gaze away from his, pulling open the door to the café and entering. I walk towards the counter and order a simple hot chocolate. I'm not a big coffee person...

It doesn't take long for the barista to slide my drink across the counter to me. I glance over at the boy and see that his eyes are still on me. His smile hasn't left his face. I take a deep breath, trying to calm down the swelling of my heart before walking towards him. I take a seat across from him.

"Hi," I manage to force out, trying not to sound like too much of an idiot.

"Hey," he replies. It's the first time I've ever heard his voice, and it's quite possibly my new favorite sound. It's so smooth and gentle. "I've seen you around an awful lot recently."

"Uhm, yeah," I mutter, scratching the back of my neck. "I-I'm not a stalker! I swear!" I immediately say afterwards, panic laced in my voice. He laughs at this, and I can't stop the butterflies in my stomach. He had the most beautiful laugh...

"I know you aren't," he said.

"Oh..."

It's only silent for a few seconds before he speaks again.

"What's your name?"

"Ah, Garroth, yours?" I manage to say without stuttering. With a large grin that practically makes my heart explode he tells me his name.

"Laurence."

Word count: 1919