"Alright class," Mr. Takanaki begins, strolling in front of the class, his long hair tied up into a top bun. "The past few weeks we've briefly gone over the seven elements of photography; texture, line, color, shape, form, tone, and space. And before we dive deeper into each component, I think it's time to put what we've learned so far to the test."

Oh, is he finally going to let us take photographs? Bloody time. If I knew this class would be reviewing the fundamentals, I would've taken a different course.

The teacher continues, "I am assigning you all the task of capturing an image that evokes the feeling of beauty. That is the only criteria, nothing else. Beauty is subjective..."

Tuning Mr. Takanaki out, I subtly crane my neck, my gaze flickering towards Kennedy who's fervently taking notes. Today her long blondish-brown hair's in a braid with several loose strands framing her heart-shaped face, her nose scrunched in concentration, her teeth biting into her plump bottom lip.

I narrow my eyes as Sawyer shifts closer to Kennedy in his seat and whispers something in her ear. Immediately, she swats him away, rolling her eyes. I suppress a laugh.

Shut down.

As if sensing my lingering stares, her amber eyes snap up to meet mine and the faintest shade of pink captures her cheeks as she smiles at me, like we're old friends. Fuck. I whip my head away, forcing myself to pay attention to the teacher.

That was close.

"In addition to the photograph, I would like for you all to draft a little write-up, under a paragraph, of why you chose to capture this specific image and why it represents beauty to you," Mr. Takanaki continues. "I'm going to let you go early today so you can work on this project. You can do this alone or in groups, your choice. If you need to borrow a DSLR, please come see..."

Chairs scrape along the floor as my classmates preemptively begin rushing out of class, not bothering to let our teacher finish with his instructions. Mr. Takanaki lets out a sigh. "Assignment is due next week!" he exclaims over the clamoring of muffled conversations. "No extensions!"

"I'll uh- see you next week, Oliver," Cliff says, hopping off the stool and grabbing his textbook. "Have a good weekend."

"Yeah, you too Cliff," I say mindlessly, tilting my body back and forth, attempting to spot Kennedy through the throngs of students hovering in the aisles. Did she already leave?

"Looking for someone?"

"Jesus," I gasp, grasping my chest and instantly wincing. That was so not cool. "Where did you come from?"

Kennedy grins, tapping her fingers on my desk. "You're not the only one that can be sneaky," she teases, nodding towards the door. "Are you gonna leave or just hang out in an empty classroom all day?"

"I'm not in a rush," I lie, propping my textbook under my arm and sliding off the stool. She better not think I was waiting for her or something. I clear my throat as we walk down the hallway. "So, any ideas for the assignment?"

Kenny sighs, pursing her lips in thought. "Honestly, I'm not a very creative person, I kind of wish Mr. Takanaki set more parameters," she admits, looking up at me. "I have no idea what I'm going to do."

"Well, what do you find beautiful?" I ask casually. "Take a picture of that."

"Mmm," Kenny hums. "I mean, I like flowers but we don't have a garden on campus so I guess I'll just take a picture of a tree or something?" She grunts, shaking her head in frustration. "See? I-I'm not good at this. I miss math class."

"You're an alien, I'm sure of it," I chuckle as we round the corner and an idea pops into my head. Before I can even process what I'm saying, I suggest, "I know of a garden nearby, I can take you there if you'd like."

What in the actual fuck was that?

"Really?" Kenny asks, her eyes lighting up. "Is it close to campus?"

I inwardly cringe at how fucking lame I sound. I'll take you. What was I thinking? I'm not a damn Uber service. I want to take back the offer but her fucking bright smile is gnawing at my gut like a teething baby.

"Yeah," I sigh, giving in. Fuck sakes. "But we'll have to take the Triumph."

She blinks, a hint of fear glistening in her eyes. "Oh, okay, sure, yeah, that sounds... fun," she murmurs, fiddling with her fingers. "I just um...need to drop my textbook off at my dorm and uh- get a jacket. I'll meet you in the parking lot in like four and a half minutes, okay?"

Before I can say sure, she bolts down the hallway and up the stairs, practically leaving dust in her wake.

Damn, she's fast.

I drop my shit off in my dorm, change into a pair of black Levi's, and grab my helmet before heading down to the parking lot. Honestly, there's nothing else to do now until band practice, this trip will at least kill a couple of hours. That's all. I'm killing time and getting homework done.

How studious of me.

As I check the time on my watch, Kenny struts towards me, sporting a- I stifle a snort. "Nice jacket," I smirk, giving the leather jacket hugging her curves a careful once-over. "I suppose imitation is the sincerest form of flattery."

Kenny rolls her eyes, adjusting the sleeves. "Leather is very in right now," she states, holding her chin up yet I can see the bashfulness bouncing in her eyes. "It's not imitation, it's fashion."

"Sure," I draw out slowly, handing her the helmet. "Whatever you say, love. Put it on and let's go."

She eyes the helmet warily as she takes it in her hands. "Where's yours?" she asks, tilting her head.

"I only have one," I reply with a shrug. "I'm fine though, don't worry."

Her eyes widen. "But what if you-"

"Just put it on, will you?" I ask. "I'll drive slowly, I promise. Plus, we're not going that far."

"I don't know," she murmurs, concern plastered on her face. "If it's close, maybe we can just walk."

"It's not that close." I cock my head to the side and push myself off the bike. Taking the helmet from her hands, I position it over her head and push it down, giving it a little tap. "Right then, all set."

Kennedy frowns, sweeping the trapped hair out of her eyes as she shakes her head. "It feels loose," she notes. "I think it's too big. Maybe we should-"

"Relax, Kenny, okay?" I let out a labored sigh. "Big helmet is better than no helmet, agreed?"

"Yeah, I guess," she mutters begrudgingly as I straddle the Triumph.

"Alright, get on."

"Uh-" she stammers, hesitating for a second before swinging her leg over the bike. Smart girl, she put on pants. She shifts behind me, the heat from her body radiating into my back. "Where do I um..put my hands?"

"Right-" I reach for her hands and wrap them around my torso. "Here."

"Oh," she whispers, her fingers locking and unlocking as if she's not sure how to hold on to me. "Okay."

I let out an inaudible chuckle. She's nervous, it's almost cute. "Hold on tight, yeah?" I say as the engine hums to life and Kenny's thighs tighten around mine, her grip around my body tense. "Not too tight though, I'd like to be able to breathe."

"Sorry." Kenny expels a nervous giggle and loosens her hold. "Is this better?"

I find myself relaxing into her arms for a second before clearing my throat. "Yeah, that's good," I murmur, kicking off of the ground.

"Oh my God," Kenny whispers as we accelerate down the street. I make sure to keep my speed slow enough that she doesn't start freaking out but fast enough that we don't topple over. "Oh my God."

"Kennedy, you can probably run faster than we're going right now," I comment, amused by her panic. "Stop freaking out."

"I can't help it," she whines as her face burrows into my back. "This is terrifying."

"Just try and enjoy the ride," I suggest as I subtly accelerate but Kenny notices right away, her grasp tightening around me.

"Ho-ly shit," she whimpers as we turn a corner. "I'm going to throw up."

"Please don't," I say with a laugh. "I happen to like this jacket."

For the next ten minutes, Kennedy lets out a combination of curse words and exclamations of adrenaline, slowly but surely, getting more comfortable we ride to our destination. I've never ridden the Triumph with another person, but it's quite entertaining.

I park on a residential street and turn off the engine, helping Kenny dismount the motorcycle. "So?" I ask as she removes the helmet, her body semi-swaying. "How was it?"

"So great," she sings in a shaky tone, forcing a smile as she fixes her messy hair. "Loved it."

"You'll get used to it," I say with a snort, hooking the helmet to the handlebars and running a hand through my hair. "Right so, the garden is this way."

"I didn't know there was a park here," Kenny muses as she follows me down a cobble-stoned path towards a rusted gate. "How did you find this place?"

I shrug, opening the gate and ushering Kenny through. "Had a lot of time to just ride around this past summer, found a few cool spots. This is one of them," I explain. "Turn right."

Kenny rounds the corner and a sunken garden full of various flowers- roses, daffodils, and...irises comes into a view. Maybe it's an orchid... I don't know, some sort of fucking flower.

"Wow," she breathes, taking in the sharp colorful beauty and the fragrant smell of all the blossoming florals. "This is amazing!"

"Yeah, it's not bad," I say with a smile as I watch her prance towards the irises(?) Maybe I'll look it up later. "Well, go on now, take some photos."

"Okay!" Kenny pulls out her cell phone just as a melodic whistle echoes in the distance.

Oh, shit. They must be back.

"Maybe try to be quick," I say, craning my head and trying to peer over the shrubs and bushes. An older man with a book in hand comes into view. Fuck. "Really quick."

Kenny whips her head around and frowns, lifting up a brow. "What? Why?"

"Well," I hum, my gaze darting down the grassy path. "This might be someone's house."

"What?!" she exclaims, following my sightline. "Oh my God! We're trespassing?!"

"Just a little, no need to freak out," I say, attempting to remain composed despite the fact, I too, do not wish to be caught. "Just-"

"Joel? Joel?" A voice sings.

"Oh, my fuck," Kenny whimpers, her gaze jumping over my shoulder. "Someone's coming from the other side!" She scans our surroundings, her eyes landing on a shoddy shed near a curved iron bench. She yanks on my hand and begins running. "We need to hide!"

"What? Hide?" I ask as she drags me towards our supposed hiding spot. "Just relax!"

"I am not getting arrested for trespassing again!" she explains, pushing me into the shed that's stock full of tools, soil, and other various gardening supplies. She shuts the doors and peers through the splintering wood.

I scoff, crossing my arms, the scent of fertilizer filling my nostrils. Wait. I narrow my eyes at her. "Did you say again?"

"Shh!" she demands, shoving me as her attention is focused on whatever the fuck is happening outside the shed. "Shut up, they're right there!" She pauses for a second before whimpering, "Oh fuck..."

I sigh. She's so dramatic. "What now?"

With a timid pout on her face, she sheepishly turns towards me and whispers, "They're sitting on the bench."

I blink. "What?"

"Um...they're...right outside," she says, hanging her head.

"So what you're saying is that we're trapped in a shed?" I ask dryly, sucking in a sharp breath as I lower myself to the ground. I seem to be on the ground a lot these days. "Fantastic. Good idea, Kenny."

"Hey!" Kenny exclaims in a low hush, joining me on the floor. "You're the one who brought us here! Why would you-"

"They were gone all summer," I explain, leaning against the wall. "Sorry for trying to help you out."

Kenny crosses her arms, shaking her head, letting out a sad sigh. "We're going to be in here forever."

I pull out my phone, checking the weather app. Just as I remembered. "Not forever," I say with a sly grin. "Just until it starts raining."

"What are we supposed to do until then?" Kenny groans, resting her head against the fall wall, extending her legs, her feet bumping into mine. "Play chopsticks?"

"Well-" I toss her a knowing smirk. "You can tell me about the time you got arrested for trespassing. Sounds like a very interesting story."

"Oh God," Kennedy grimaces, covering her face with her hand. "I'd rather not."

"Come on now," I probe, cocking my head to the side. "We've got time to kill."

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GAH. My little cuties.

Thanks for being so patient! Writing two stories and working full time ain't easy but your comments and support make it worth it!

THOUGHTS?

Kenny when Ollie said it's someone's house: