I yawn and stretch as I glance over at my collection of vintage cameras, and a rush of excitement fills my veins. Sliding out of bed, I feel around for my glasses then make my way into my small bathroom to brush my teeth and do my hair before getting ready for class.
We’re getting our final assignments for the newspaper this morning, and I’m eager to know what mine is. I may have joined the paper for Kass, but I’d be lying if I said I don’t enjoy it.
Swinging my closet doors wide, I look inside and try to decide on an outfit that goes with my mood today. I’m feeling pretty pumped, so I grab my favourite black tutu, a plain white V-neck T, and tap my chin as I survey my shoe rack for the right pair of shoes . . . Then Bam, my black Docs with purple laces.
Once I’m dressed, I inspect my appearance in the full-length mirror behind my door. I’ve done my long brown hair in a braid that starts at my right temple and curls around my head ending below my left ear to hang over my shoulder. The thick black frames of my glasses actually complement my outfit, so I forgo my contacts today.
Grabbing my satchel from my desk chair, I head downstairs to scarf down some breakfast before I go pick up Kassidy. As I enter the kitchen, my mother eyes my outfit, then sighs heavily. I raise a brow, “Yes, Ma?”
She tries to hide her frown, but she’s not quick enough and I see it. “Nothing, what would you like for breakfast?” she asks in an overly chipper tone, trying to cover her disapproval.
“Ma, I can make my own breakfast. What’s with the frown?”
Chewing her lip for a second, she huffs then answers, “Nothing really, I mean, I just,” she blows her fringe out of her eyes, “I don’t understand your clothing choices, Chance. You’re a very beautiful young woman, but the way you dress, it’s so,” she pauses, searching for the right word, “Unusual.”
I shake my head and chuckle, she’s never been a fan of my wardrobe, not since the day I started dressing myself. Especially since my mother is a classic beauty who channels Audrey Hepburn in the style and looks departments.
“Ma, if I looked more like you, I would totally rock that iconic vintage 60’s goddess style you’ve got going on. But, unfortunately for you, I take after Papa and Hux in the looks division. So, this is how I roll.” I smile and blow her a kiss as I grab an apple out of the fruit basket on the kitchen counter. “See you later,” I call out behind me, swinging my keys around my finger as I go.
Sliding into the driver’s seat of my VW Bug, I flick Kass a text letting him know I’m on my way.
Coming at you.
Then I back out of the driveway, cranking the music as I go.
Kass is only two years younger than me, it’s really not that weird that we’re so close. He’s been my best friend and confidant for as long as I can remember. And I wouldn’t have it any other way. The fact that he’s my nephew rarely comes up anymore.
I honk my horn twice when I pull up in front of my big brother’s house to let Kass know I’m here. A minute later, Kass strolls out the front door with his dad, my brother Hux, on his heels.
“Ladies,” I drawl with a grin on my face and turn down my tunes as they approach my car side by side.
Kass rolls his eyes, and Hux cocks a brow, “Really? That’s the best you’ve got?” he says, shaking his head in disappointment.
I shrug, “I wasn’t really trying, I’m sure I could come up with something better if I was.”
Hux rolls his eyes at me, but he’s smiling, “Sure you could,” he braces his arms on the roof of my car as he leans down to talk through my window, “So, I’ve been thinking,”
“Uh-oh,” I cut him off, “That could be dangerous.” I grin.
He scoffs, “Shut up and listen, smartarse. If you’re serious about pursuing your photography, I thought you might want to come work with me after graduation.”
My jaw drops, “Are you serious?” Hux is the one who gave me my first camera, I’ve been addicted ever since. It’s his influence that first got me looking outside the box when it comes to my own style. I can only imagine how amazing it would be to work by his side full time.
Hux looks me in the eye, no trace of humour in his features, “Only if you’re sure this is the career you want to pursue. This is a huge opportunity, and attaching your name to mine, it’s going to give you a lot of attention straight up. So, if you’re not absolutely certain that photography is your future, I’d rather give the opportunity to someone else.”
I can’t believe he even has to say that, “You know how I feel, this is what I want, Hux.” My heart is pounding so hard, to be mentored by my big brother would be incredible.
The pride that shines in his eyes as he looks down at me fills me with confidence, this is the only path for me, I know it, and so does he. He nods, then slaps his palms against the roof of my car twice, “Alright then, you better get going or you two will be late.” Then he steps back and waves, as we pull away from the curb.
Glancing at Kass in my passenger seat, I can’t wipe the smile off my face, “Did you know he was going to do that?”
He shrugs his broad shoulders, “Maybe,” he says without looking in my direction. He’s flicking through his newspaper notebook. Kass has more notebooks than I have cameras. And that’s saying something.
I shove his shoulder, “Why didn’t you tell me?”
Finally, he lifts his gaze to me, “He asked if I thought you’d be interested, I said something along the lines of, ‘She’ll be all over it like Ma on a pint of ice-cream.’”
“Good analogy,” I say, laughing. Nobody loves ice-cream like El.
“I thought so,” Kass murmurs as he turns his attention back to his notebook. He’s a journalism major and working as a reporter at our collage newspaper. He writes the articles and I take the pictures.
I’m studying business, the end game being that it will help me set up my own successful gallery one day. I don’t want to depend on my brother giving me a job, that’s not how I roll. I want to be capable of doing it on my own if I need to.
Photography, to me, is like being given the opportunity to see the world with a whole new perspective. Like when you have a problem and you ask a friend for their opinion, because sometimes you need an outside view to get a better handle on the situation. I want to show others how I see life through my lens.