Candid (True Images Series)

by Michelle Pennington

  “Um, Sienna? Why didn’t you tell me that you’d taken that awesome picture of Tyson? I so would have posted it on my Facebook page. Or would that have been too obvious?”

  “So you have crush on Tyson now? What happened to Lee Franklin?”

  “Who? Oh, yeah, the new guy. What’s the point? I saw him in the hall after second hour, but I won’t be able to get near him for a few months at least. He had about three cheerleaders showing him where his next class was. But Tyson, he’s totally single and off the radar. I mean, I’ve known him since second grade and I never realized he was so hot.”

  “I don’t think anyone has. I’m trying to change that.”

  “Wait. Hold on there. What do you mean you’re trying to change that? If he gets too popular, I won’t have a chance with him.”

  “Mari, don’t you ever get tired of people being judged on all the wrong things? What are the three most important things you look for in a guy?”

  “Uh, let’s see…that he’s good looking, built, and that he likes me.”

  “Wow, that’s pretty superficial.”

  “Don’t judge me.”

  “Look Marisol, let’s say you were dating, oh…Caleb Murphy.”

  “As if that would happen.”

  “Well, let’s say it did. I mean, sure he’s gorgeous, tall, and ripped like some kind of action figure, but he’s still a complete jerk. Would you really be happy dating him?”

  Marisol considered it for a second. “Maybe he wouldn’t be a jerk to me.”

  “Would you really like to date someone that was a jerk to other people?”

  She considered it for a moment, then sighed. “I guess not.”

  “See? Now take Tyson. I can’t imagine him hurting anyone unless they were wearing the football uniform of a rival school. It is totally crazy that Caleb is the most popular guy in school and Tyson is only noticed on the football field. There’s no reason why he shouldn’t rule this school, except that he’s quiet and too nice. He’s really good looking if you stop and look at him, but he’s not one of the “pretty people” around here. I think I can change that with these pictures.”

  “Sienna, are you sure you want to mess with people like that? It could seriously backfire on you. If you mess with the popular crowd, you’re going to get dumped on.”

  “I’ve thought of that, but who’s really going to care if Tyson’s suddenly more popular? If Jordan gets humbled a little, it’ll serve her right.”

  “Wait, are you doing this to make Tyson popular or to mess with Jordan?”

  “Uh, both?”

  “Holy cow, you’re scaring me. Jordan Rubio could personally make your entire senior year miserable. And I’m pretty sure you’d catch it from Caleb too if he ever figured out you were the reason he wasn’t Alpha Male #1 around here anymore.”

  “Well, I have to make Tyson popular first, so don’t worry about it yet. Besides, what’s the worst that could happen? I make a few enemies my senior year while doing some good around here, then I’m off to college and I dust the poisoned dirt of high school off my feet.”

  “What are you talking about? This is, like, the most important year of our lives. And we don’t get any do-overs. I didn’t know you had such a problem with the popular kids.”

  “Yeah, well, I usually try to ignore them, but it’s always bothered me that they act like my best friend when I’m taking pictures for the school. It kind of makes me feel used, you know? But that’s not what this is about. Though I will admit that ever since Jordan and her cheerleader gang ticked me off Friday night, I’ve been wanting to see them subject to a little social justice.”

  “You are completely loca, chica!”

  “All the great artists were crazy, Mari, so that’s a good sign, right?”

  I could see doubt in Marisol’s deep brown eyes, but there was just enough interest there that I didn’t lose hope. “Espera! You think that I’m stupid enough to help you with this? Absolutamente no!”

  “Mari, you’re speaking Spanglish. Don’t get so upset. Listen, all I want you to do is post the link to my blog on your Facebook page and tweet it a few times. You have more connections than I do. Just help me get a good following on my blog. Please?”

  She glowered at me for a moment, but her heart was too generous not to give in. “Oh fine, I’ll spread the word. But take it easy, Ok? Promete?”

  “I promise,” I agreed nodding my head. “You look nice today by the way. Did you dress up for someone in particular?”

  “Not really. Though I can see you did.” I started to deny it, but she interrupted, “Give it up. I can see your eye shadow.” She tossed her brunette hair and turned to leave. “Lee Franklin is in my English class. Jealous much?” she asked over her shoulder, smiling as she flounced off.

  I had to admit I was.

  I watched her go into the cafeteria to get her lunch, though she wouldn’t have much time to eat. I glanced at the time on my phone, and decided that I might be able to catch Mr. Greeley before lunch ended. He usually ate in the yearbook room where he kept a mini fridge and microwave.

  The yearbook room and journalism classroom were right next to each other in the hallway behind the auditorium. As I got there, I was relieved to see the lights on in the yearbook room. When Mr. Greeley was gone, he locked the place up tighter than Fort Knox because of all the expensive equipment in there.

  I opened the door and walked in saying, “Hey, Mr. Greeley, did you see…?” But my question died on my lips. He wasn’t alone. He was slurping at a Cup-o-Noodles just as I’d expected, but standing right inside the door was Lee Franklin. Was it possible that he was better looking than I’d remembered?

  I was fascinated by the way his white striped, sky blue polo shirt was molded to his shoulders, and the hint of a smile hovering at one side of his mouth nearly undid the last of my composure. Somehow he seemed to take over the room even though he was leaning casually against one of the work tables.

  I was staring, I knew, but so was he. As we studied each other, I desperately wondered what he was thinking until Mr. Greeley began to speak and I was finally able to turn away.

  “Hmmm, now what were you going to ask?” he wondered aloud. “Whether I saw your picture of Tyson in the paper, or the poster you put up on the bulletin board?” he asked, trying to clarify my unfinished question.

  “Both, actually. What do you think?” I asked.

  “You know your photo was great. You don’t need me to tell you that. I knew you’d have something when the paper called me asking for photos.”

  “Oh, so that’s how they got my number. And about the poster, do you mind?”

  “Nah. Why would I mind? If anybody asks why I’m allowing a student to advertise her personal blog on an official school bulletin board, I’ll say that I was showcasing her work for journalism.”

  “Thanks.”

  “But no more. Even if you have a crush on Tyson Burkett, I don’t.”

  I’m pretty sure my face turned every shade of red. My eyes shot over to Lee, wondering if he was paying attention. He was, of course. What was he doing here anyway?

  “I do not have a crush on Tyson. That’s not what this is about anyway.” I couldn’t tell Mr. Greeley exactly what I was doing, so I fudged the truth a little. “I’m trying to capture the unseen beauty of people with candid photography. That’s why I’ve changed the name of my blog to ‘True Images.’ I thought I captured him pretty well.”

  “So did all the girls who clogged up the hallway all morning because they were drooling over the poster you put up.”

  “Really? Wow, that’s perfect.”

  “Yeah, it was great when I was trying to get through the crowd on crutches. So, Miss Whitfield, since you’re early, would you mind showing our new sports editor the ropes around here?” He motioned vaguely to Lee, glanced at the clock on the wall, and dug into his noodles again.

  “That’s why you’re in here?” I could hear the surprise in my voice so I wasn’t surprised w
hen Lee raised his eyebrows.

  “Why not?”

  “You just don’t seem the type.”

  “You don’t know anything about me,” he pointed out.

  “I know you play basketball,” I replied, wanting to show I knew something about him.

  “Oh, I get it – the whole dumb jock stereotype. I promise I’m literate.”

  Horrified at the way he’d taken my words and the way this whole conversation was going, I said, “That’s not what I meant. I just meant that …oh never mind. So you know how to write a story?”

  “No, but isn’t that what class is for?”

  He had a valid point, and it wasn’t like I minded him being in journalism with me. In fact, when I thought about it, it was fabulous. Marisol would be the jealous one now. The class was small and we did a lot of group projects.

  In my mind I could already see us pulling our chairs together at a computer, our faces close together as we wrote an article for the school paper. But then I remembered that I wasn’t going to fall in love while I was still in high school.

  But would there be something wrong with him falling in love with me? It would be awesome if those brown eyes looked at me like I was someone special.

  Then I realized that he was waiting for an answer. “Yeah, I’m sure you’ll get the hang of it in no time. So you’re going to be the Sports editor, huh? What hour are you taking yearbook?

  “I was just talking to Mr. Greeley about that. The only hour I have free is seventh hour, but I’d like to get to practice early when I can.”

  “We can leave early as long as we keep up with our deadlines.”

  “That would be great. Would it be ok if I left early for basketball practice sometimes?” Lee asked Mr. Greeley.

  Mr. Greeley peered up at him for a moment before answering. “It shouldn’t be a problem. Just get your work done. I’m pretty relaxed with my rules as long as deadlines get turned in. But that doesn’t mean it’s social hour.”

  That was weird. Mr. Greeley was usually pretty gruff, but I’d never heard him laying down the law like that until kids started to goof off or something. Lee didn’t seem like that type to me, but what did I know? Then I saw that Mr. Greeley seemed to be looking at me a little strangely too, and I’d never goofed off in class. What was his deal today?

  Then the bell rang, making me jump. I saw that one corner of Lee’s mouth was turned up like he was trying not to laugh.

  “I hate how loud the bells are in this building. Come on. Let me show you how to log on to the computers.”

  Chapter 3

  The heat was intense, even under the shade. I felt sticky all over and I had to get my hair off my neck or risk heat stroke. I pulled it back and coiled it into a bun. I used my pencil to skewer it in place since I didn’t have anything else with me. Now there was no chance I would look good for fifth hour today - not that I ever did.

  I probably should have taken my lunch into the air conditioned cafeteria, but I hated to do that unless it was raining or something. Staying outside meant I could indulge in my favorite past time – watching people.

  I learn a lot about people that way. l notice how they’re framed by their background, how the light plays over their features, and how a different angle would be more flattering to them. More importantly though, I see emotions that sweep over their faces, desires and motivations etched in their expressions, and truth hidden in their body language.

  I probably saw more about people than they’d like, but they’d never guess. I didn’t just sit there staring at people or anything. That would be way too obvious. If no one was sitting with me, I would pretend to be studying or something.

  Today I actually did study because my hardest class, trigonometry, was right after journalism and I had a feeling we’d have a quiz today. I was getting distracted now though because the lunch hour was almost over and the kids who ate in the cafeteria were drifting outside to hang out. Things were getting interesting.

  Tyson created a small whirlwind of social fluttering when he came outside. Two girls already had him in their clutches as he came outside, and several more attached themselves to his group as he walked over to the benches where the cheerleaders hung out. He hadn’t hung out there much before, but he had the last few days. To me, it showed that he’d made it into the in-crowd at last. It was only Thursday, and it seemed my blog had already gotten him the attention he deserved.

  I was pretty excited about it. It gave me a sense of power to know that I had affected his life so drastically with just a few photos. I began to wonder what else I could do.

  My thoughts were interrupted as Jordan came on the scene. It was like she was some kind of princess, the way everyone turned in her direction as she walked past. She made no sign that she noticed the attention, but why would she? She got it wherever she went. It was like a royal procession as she walked past with her friends every day.

  Today though, I was surprised to see Caleb walking with her. There was an extra little sway to Jordan’s hips and a flirtatious note in her laughter. She must be a great actress because I’d never yet known Caleb to be funny.

  It was clear she was trying to get him back. The last few months had been embarrassing for Jordan in the boyfriend department. All last year, she had dated Caleb. Together they had been untouchable as the two most popular kids in school. I still didn’t know what happened, though Marisol had tried her best to find out, but they broke up sometime over the summer.

  Jordan had almost immediately started dating Caleb’s best friend, Jacob, but it had clearly only been for revenge. Jacob must have figured that out, because when school started again, he was dating Brittany and the rumor was that he’d been the one to break up with Jordan.

  Oh the drama.

  For the millionth time, I was glad I wasn’t part of that crowd. I was pretty sure they all really hated each other but pretended not to just to keep their popular status. Why did so many girls want to get tangled up in that group?

  I watched them, with their bright smiles and trendy clothes, hanging around the popular kids like adoring fans, happy with any attention they got. Well, at least no one would think I was one of them. In my boring old t-shirts and scuffed up tennis shoes, I would never be mistaken for one of the pretty people.

  “Whatcha up to, Sienna?”

  I glanced over at Marisol as she sat down next to me. “Studying for trig,” I replied.

  “Looks like it,” she said sarcastically, following the direction of my eyes.

  Lee had come outside and my eyes were glued to him. “Well I was,” I said, defending myself.

  Just like every day since he’d moved in, Lee was hanging out with the guys from his team, but as they moved towards the rest of the popular kids, some of the girls hanging around Tyson shifted his way. Their interest in Lee was clear, but I couldn’t tell how he was reacting to them.

  What guy wouldn’t like all those pretty girls hanging all over him, though? I couldn’t blame him if he did, but what I really wanted to know was if he was paying particular attention to one of them. I mentally kicked myself for caring, but it didn’t help. Lee’s social life had become too important to me.

  “Hey, what do you have your camera for?” Marisol asked, glancing down to the camera bag that sat beside me on the bench.

  “I’m supposed to go take pictures of the dance team right after lunch so I…. Marisol! You’re a genius?”

  “I am? Why?”

  I didn’t answer her. I was too busy getting my camera out. I switched my usual lens for my best zoom lens and quickly held it up. Knowing that people were used to seeing me with a camera in front of my face and would think nothing of it, I didn’t hesitate to zoom in on Lee. If I wanted to, I could get close enough to count his eyelashes, but I just zoomed in close enough to be able to see him and the girl he was talking to.

  “Are you spying on Lee?” Marisol asked.

  “No, I’m taking pictures. Be quiet.”

  “I haven’t heard
a single click come from your camera yet.”

  “Fine, whatever. Who’s that girl he’s talking to?”

  “I don’t really know. Why?”

  “She’s really pretty.” I winced as Lee’s smile glinted down at her and he started laughing at something she’d said.

  “You’ve really got it bad for this guy don’t you? Wow. I’ve never seen you like this before.”

  With a sigh, I put my camera down on my lap and rubbed a hand over my forehead. “I know. What’s wrong with me anyway? I mean, there are tons of cute guys in this school and I’ve never had even the tiniest crush on any of them.”

  “Well, you’re finally acting normal, so I’m glad - even if you don’t have a chance with him.”

  “Thanks a lot.”

  “Oh, chica, that’s not what I meant. But even if you dressed cuter and stopped being so distant all the time, how would you compete with that?” she asked pointing in Lee’s direction.

  Apparently, Jordan had given up on Caleb for the time being, and had zeroed in on Lee. With one mocking glance at the other girls, she scattered them, leaving Lee standing alone with her. With my camera back up, I tried to study his expression, but after a few seconds, he turned just far enough that I couldn’t see it anymore.

  I didn’t mind staring at the strong lines of his back while I waited for him to turn again, but then the bell rang and I was forced to give up. As I put my camera away, I continued where we left off. “But I spend a lot of time with him in journalism and yearbook. We’re getting to be friends. Sometimes, I almost think he’s flirting with me.”

  “Maybe, but be careful. From what I’ve seen, he’s nice like that to everyone. Do you know who Marcy Green is?

  "Is that the girl who wears all those old grandma dresses?”

  “Yeah. She calls them vintage though. She’s so weird most guys wouldn’t be seen dead with her, but Lee actually volunteered to be her partner in English for our group book report. Why else would he do that except to be nice. It’s not like she’s that smart or anything.”

  “Marisol, are you by any chance comparing me to Marcy Green?