*NOT EDITED*

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And I wanted to smile at the beauty she radiated in that photo, at the same time I got annoyed. The warm feeling in my chest vanished, replaced by rage. The smile that was initially tugging at my lips lost its hold. No matter how angel-like she looked, the fact remained that she was the least person I wanted to be around.

❦︎

~[JASON]~

“Our theme is ‘Supernatural.’” Jude pushed himself off the bed and walked to have his seat on the chair in front of the reading table. “What supernatural entity, being or phenomenon can we portray?”

I turned around when I heard footsteps from behind me and I saw Chris taking the spot beside Victoria, he grinned and said, “God.”

“How can we portray God in one picture?” Jemima spoke as she walked over from the couch she was initially seated on. “He’s too broad… we can’t do that.”

“Yes, we can’t portray Him in one picture.” Chris nodded, balancing his weight on one leg. “But we can portray a part of Him.”

“What part?” I asked, cocking my brow.

“Any one.” He shrugged. “His love, kindness… even his wrath.”

“Wrath…” Jude visibly shuddered, shaking his head. “Let’s not do that one. We can try portray His love… even any kind of love is supernatural.”

Chris walked over to the black suitcase he had left near the door and dragged it to where we were gathered at the middle of the room. He zipped it open and surfed through it, looking for something. I looked at the pieces of clothing he threw on the floor, wondering where he got all those clothes from.

“Where did you get this much costumes from?” Jude voiced out the question in my head.

“Ah!” he whooped in victory as he retrieved a white dress from the suitcase, totally ignoring Jude’s question. He looked at Victoria, threw the dress at her. “Change into that.”

“Where do I change?” she looked around, eyes landed on the door to my bathroom. “There?”

“Y—” Chris paused, looking at me with pursed lips and flared nostrils. “Is it clean?”

“Of course, it’s clean!” I looked at him incredulously. What was he implying by that?

“I’ll go change then.” Victoria said and made her way to the bathroom, imploring Jemima to go with her to assist.

Jude and I got to work setting up the background and lights. There was a green screen background to make the addition of effects easier during editing.

The bathroom door swung open and we the boys turned to look at the girls coming out of my bathroom. Only thing was, I did not expect my lips to part in astonishment the way they did. For a moment, I thought a celestial being just walk through my bathroom door.

She, Victoria, looked like the colour white was specially made for her. In spite of myself, I had to admit that she was simply stunning. The colour complemented the gold undertones of her darkskin, making it pop. And the fitting…

Goodness…

The silk fabric clung to her body like a second skin, highlighting her feminine curves, you could tell how soft her body was just by the way she looked in silk. The dress had a drippy neckline with white pearls adorning it, and it showed her cleavage slightly… just slightly. I dragged my gaze downwards and lingered on her waist, neither too small or big, just... perfect. And then downwards again, to her hips. Curves, beautifully punctured by hip dips. And then lower... I swallowed when my eyes landed on her not too thick, dark thighs, her slightly darker knees and then her smooth legs… another swallow.

[A/N: I couldn't find a picture that fits this description, so y'all would have to stick to your imagination for this one🙂.]

“Jay!” I almost flew into the wall when Chris’ voice thundered in my ears. “I said get your camera, Jeez!”

I nodded, awkwardly cleared my throat and walked over to the shelf beside my wardrobe to get my camera. I scowled when I heard Jude say,

“He was ogling at Victoria.”

I spun around on my heels, glaring at Jude. “I wasn’t ogling!... I was just thinking of… poses.” I defended. And I hated myself for having to lie. “I was thinking of poses.”

“Yeah, let’s just begin with the shoot for goodness’ sake.” Chris groaned, eyeing Jude and I.

Jude guided Victoria to my make shift studio while I attached a lense to my camera. Against my own will, I sneaked glimpses at her. Like my eyes now had minds of their own. Focus, Jason, focus. I beseeched myself. You don’t even like her.

“Okay, Tori. Let go, be free.” Chris urged Victoria, smiling slightly at her.

I watched her balance her weight on her left leg, push her right leg forward, press her hands on her hips and slightly tilted her head upwards and then she stood on her tippy toes. “Okay?” she asked me, expertly maintaining the pose.

I nodded, looked down at my camera and tilted it to my desired angle. I clicked several photos and skimmed through them, looking for what could be improved. I looked at her again, keeping my expression as stoic as possible. “If you could part your lips a little...”

She complied, striking the same pose again but parting her lips as I had asked this time.

Truly, the photos turned out flawless after I clicked them. It felt an ounce of joy warm my heart, just a little. It had been a long time since I took photos of people. I hadn’t done that since she left. And doing it again… it brought some kind of peace to my mind, a warm feeling lingered in my chest. I peeked at the photo again. It was almost as beautiful as the ones I took of her. Almost.

And then my eyes landed on her face in the camera. Head tilted up, unconventional nose in the air, slightly parted, caramel lips and her full mane of hair. The face of Victoria Kanayo, my biggest rival.

And I wanted to smile at the beauty she radiated in that photo, at the same time I got annoyed. The warm feeling in my chest vanished, replaced by rage. The smile that was initially tugging at my lips lost its hold. No matter how angel-like she looked, the fact remained that she was the least person I wanted to be around.

Deep down, I knew I had no right to blame her. I swear I tried, to see her differently. But the things she reminded me of, they were unbearable. How I was the biggest disappointment in Sage High. For two years straight, I had let down the entire body of the school, coming second place in every competition, always behind her... if only she didn't exist.

“Jay?” I heard Jude’s concerned voice. “Is the photo bad?... you're glaring at the camera.”

I looked around; everyone was staring at me, concerned. I cleared my throat and rasped, “It’s not bad. Was just thinking of ideas for the background.”

“Bro, are you sure?” Chris asked and I looked at him. The words were unsaid but I could tell he was asking if I was okay.

“Yes, everything’s good.” I nodded. “She should prepare for the next shoot while I transfer the photos to my laptop.”

“Hmm.” Chris nodded, still staring at me suspiciously. Hesitantly looking away, he crouched down to the floor to reach the suitcase and began fishing for the next outfit.

A sigh escaped my lips, I was suddenly mentally exhausted. I swallowed to ease my parched throat, detaching the lense from my camera.

I paused when I turned around and my eyes met those of Jemima’s. They crinkled at the sides and that was when I realized she was actually smiling at me. It was awkward. She was always on her own, rarely saw her talk to anyone, not to talk of smiling. Until we were made partners, I never paid any mind to her, only knew her as the class C girl who was always quiet. But then again, I knew nothing about her, so there was nothing to base any conclusion on.

I mustered a small smile in return, not wanting to be rude and walked over to my bed to get my laptop. But I was wondering why I was still feeling her gaze on my back.

A/N

Shey Jason actually briefly admired Victoria, abi eyes dey pain all of us ni?

And what do you think is going on with Jemima? Lemme hear your thoughts.

Since I'll be away for a while, I say make I drop double update. So, scroll/flip your page to the next chapter 😌❤️.