Unapproachable Horizon

Chapter 2: Through the Lens

A few days had passed since Aiden’s arrival at Springwood High. He was slowly getting accustomed to the rhythm of the school—though his interest often wandered toward one person in particular. Zavierra remained as distant as ever, and though Aiden had yet to work up the courage to speak to her, his curiosity only grew.

Springwood High’s Gazette Club, known for its reputation as the heart of student journalism, announced auditions for new members. Flyers adorned the walls of the school, detailing the positions available. One caught Aiden’s eye: Photojournalism.

He lingered by the flyer after lunch, the weight of his camera in his bag serving as a quiet reminder.

“You thinking about auditioning?” A voice broke through his thoughts.

Aiden turned to find Kaelion Vance, a tall, sharp-eyed senior with a camera slung over his shoulder. His tone was sharp but carried a friendly undertone, as though he was sizing Aiden up with genuine curiosity.

“Yeah,” Aiden replied, straightening up. “Photojournalism seems interesting.”

Kael nodded, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. “Good choice. But just so you know, Gazette doesn’t take slackers. Show them something worthwhile.” With that, he strode off, his tone lingering in Aiden’s mind as both a challenge and encouragement.

The audition instructions were simple yet daunting: submit one photograph that the auditioners thought was beautiful. They had a day to capture something meaningful and submit it for review.

The next morning, Aiden roamed the school grounds, his camera in hand. He snapped photos of anything that caught his eye—the dew-drenched leaves of the courtyard trees, sunlight streaming through the library windows, and the quiet symmetry of the empty gymnasium. Yet none of the images felt quite right.

By midday, Aiden was frustrated. He leaned against the window of an empty classroom, absentmindedly adjusting the lens. His gaze wandered outside, where the sprawling campus lawn basked in the afternoon sun.

Then he saw her.

Zavierra sat beneath a large oak tree, a thick science book open on her lap. Her brow furrowed slightly as she flipped through the pages, utterly absorbed in her reading. Nearby, Alisha and a group of friends laughed and chatted, the carefree energy of their conversation contrasting Zavierra’s serene focus.

Without thinking, Aiden lifted his camera and clicked. The soft rustle of leaves, the warmth of the sunlight, and the quiet simplicity of the moment seemed to settle into the frame.

Later that evening, Aiden sat on his bed, surrounded by prints of his best shots. The photo of Zavierra stood out, not just for its composition but for the story it seemed to tell. After much hesitation, he placed it in the submission envelope.

The next day, the Gazette Club gathered in their designated classroom for the audition reviews. The room buzzed with a mix of anticipation and casual chatter as members arranged themselves around a large table cluttered with papers, photographs, and notebooks. Kael stood at the head, his sharp yet friendly tone directing the group.

“Alright, everyone, settle down,” he said, clapping his hands lightly. “Let’s get started. We’ve got some promising submissions to go through.”

Zavierra and Alisha sat side by side, Alisha already leafing through a folder of audition entries. Zavierra leaned back in her chair, arms crossed, her expression neutral as she surveyed the room. She wasn’t particularly invested in the auditions but attended out of a sense of duty—after all, the Gazette was her safe haven of sorts, a place where she could focus on facts rather than feelings.

Kael lifted the first photograph, holding it up for the room. “This one’s from Anderson. He’s trying out for photojournalism.”

Zavierra barely glanced at the picture before Alisha’s sharp intake of breath caught her attention. She turned to her friend, who was staring at the image with wide eyes.

That’s me! And Zav! Alisha thought, her cheeks heating as she recognized the scene. In the photo, Zavierra was under the oak tree, engrossed in her science book, while Alisha and her friends were mid-conversation nearby.

The sunlight dappled through the leaves, casting a serene glow over the entire frame.

“What’s your problem?” Zavierra asked, arching an eyebrow at Alisha’s sudden reaction.

Alisha leaned closer, her voice a hushed whisper. “It’s you, dummy. He took a picture of you.”

Zavierra tilted her head slightly, her tone nonchalant. “You’re in it too. Don’t make it into something it’s not.”

Alisha huffed but couldn’t entirely hide her teasing grin. She settled back into her seat, though her thoughts were far from settled.

Kael’s voice broke through the moment. “Anderson, step up. Let’s hear your reasoning behind this shot.”

Aiden hesitated for a moment before rising from his seat. His gaze flickered nervously around the room, landing briefly on Zavierra before darting away.

“Well…” he began, his voice unsure. “I think… sometimes it’s okay to be alone in what you’re doing, as long as what you’re doing is meaningful.

It’s about focusing on what matters to you, even if the world keeps moving around you.”

His words came slowly at first, but as he spoke, they gained confidence. His eyes remained fixed on Kael, avoiding the judgmental stares of the other Gazette members—and especially Zavierra.

Kael nodded, his expression sharp but approving. “Not bad, Anderson. Good eye for storytelling. Alright, let’s move on to the next.”

Aiden sank back into his chair, exhaling deeply. He hadn’t expected to be put on the spot, but at least he had managed to say something coherent.

Meanwhile, Alisha sat with her arms crossed, her lips pursed into a tight line. Her earlier excitement had morphed into a faint irritation as Aiden’s explanation replayed in her mind.

So, what? Am I just a distraction in the picture? she thought, frowning. He made it sound like Zav’s the only one doing something meaningful.

“Alisha?” Zavierra’s voice broke into her thoughts. “What’s up with you?”

“Nothing,” Alisha replied quickly, her tone clipped. She forced a smile but didn’t elaborate further.

Zavierra gave her a skeptical look but didn’t press the issue. Her gaze shifted to Aiden, who was staring intently at the next photograph being critiqued. She noted the tension in his shoulders, the way his hands fidgeted slightly in his lap.

For someone who had taken such a candid shot, he seemed awfully nervous.