Second Chance

Chapter 3

I was awoken by the feeling of being sick. I didn't have time to make it to the toilet in time. After fifteen minutes of clearing out my stomach contents, I washed out my mouth and brushed my teeth. I decided to take a shower, then went and laid back down. Noticing it was only 4 A.M., I knew I wouldn't fall back to sleep, I was still feeling a little sick to my stomach. Instead, I worked on some unfinished photos.

This time around I was working on James and Jodi's engagement photos. I had taken them a couple of weeks ago but needed to finish editing them. They had to be perfect because they were using them for their wedding invitations. It was a fun day that day doing them. Their love showed through all the pictures I took, making me hope that I find a love like that one day. James and Jodi said I can help take pictures that day at the wedding as their second photographer. As long as I have the energy and good health, also the simple fact I'm part of the wedding party. I'm required to be in most of the pictures.

Around 7 o'clock I was able to have three pictures completely done but I was becoming too tired to function. I put away my laptop and laid down with sleep taking over in no time

Finally waking up around one in the afternoon I decided to get up and head downstairs to try and eat something. I was feeling a little better than before and I'm hoping that I won't feel sick after I eat so I can go and take pictures around town. When I headed downstairs no one was home, it was to quiet. As I went to the kitchen there was a note on the counter for me.

Leighton,

I didn't want to wake you up. 

Everyone is at work and Hope is at a friend's house. If you need anything please call me! Also, make sure you eat.

Love,

Dad

Typical dad. He always thinks I won't feed myself when no one is around.

Since it was lunchtime I deiced I would make myself some mac and cheese. While that was cooking I checked all my social media accounts to see what all my old friends were up to. When I say old friends I mean the ones who were my friend in school and then once we graduated it was like I didn't exist. That's why I didn't bother letting anyone know I have cancer other than my family. I don't need their fake friendship just because I'm sick. I also don't want or need their pity.

After I ate my lunch I was feeling okay so I decided to go out for a bit to take some pictures. I threw on some sweats and a three quarter length shirt on that showed some of my tattoos off. I had a full sleeve on my left side and random ones on my right, as well as some all over my body. It wasn't cold out but I was freezing. I then put my converse on, grabbed my phone, wallet just to have in case, my camera and headed outside.

There was a park just ten minutes from my house so I chose to just walk there. On my way there I found some nice photos to take. I like a variety when capturing something so simple. For example, I'll turn a picture of street name signs into a pretty black and white photo, or a picture of a flower I'll make the color on it pop more.

By the time I made it out of the park I had taken about 15 photos of different things. I knew once I start going around the park I would have tons more.

Our park had a trail that was surrounded by a bunch of trees and plants. It made for the perfect scenery. I need to find someone or a couple that I could take pictures of here because its the perfect place. There is also a big pond with a stone bridge running across that would be a perfect place as well.

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An hour has passed by the time I was to the point of exhaustion. I had about 50 photos already ranging from nature to the cute little old couples sitting on the park bench watching the little ducks in the pond (with their permission of course). I was also able to get pictures of the ducks and of the swan that was swimming. On my way out of the trail, I noticed someone who looked oddly familiar. The closer I got I realized who it was.

Mr. Blue eyes or should I say, Luca.

Today he was with a little girl who was about four maybe. He was still gorgeous as he was yesterday when I first saw him. Luca was pushing the little girl on the swing when I had an idea of how cute of a picture it would be if he allowed me to take it. With all my courage, I decided to approach him. As I got closer he looked up at me and sent me a warm smile.

"Hey, Leighton!"

"Hey, Luca."

"What are you doing here?" he asked me while still pushing the little girl who was giggling up a storm.

"I decided to take a walk to the park from my house and take some pictures. What are you doing here? And who is this little cutie?"

"I brought my little sister to the park. This is Alice."

Alice looked just like him and Seth with the black hair and the bright blue eyes.

"This may sound weird but when I saw the two of you, it looked like it would be a cute picture to take for my portfolio if you don't mind?"

"Of course not"

I sent him a grateful smile and got to work. Alice the whole time just giggled which kept a smile on Luca's face and I knew the pictures would turn out perfect.

"Thank you so much, Luca. I'll show them to you once I'm finished editing them, but I better head home. I've been out for a while and getting tired so I'll see you around?"

"Of course. I'll see you around Leighton and don't overwork yourself."

"I won't. See you later Luca."

"Bye Leighton."

After I said my goodbyes to Luca and Alice, I made my way home to relax and maybe work on some more edits. I also needed to go through all of today's pictures and get rid of the ones that didn't turn out.

When I got home no one was home yet, which gave me time to sort through my photos and get some editing done without interruptions. I grabbed my laptop and blanket from upstairs and came back down to the living room and started the upload.

Once the pictures were all uploaded I started the sorting process and only three of the 65 needed to be thrown out. All the other pictures were perfect especially the ones of Alice and Luca.

I must have fallen asleep while editing because I woke up to dad shaking me awake saying he brought home some dinner. That's how I spent the rest of my night, eating with the family and working on the pictures I took.

When we finally got home I went upstairs and let the tears fall. Ever since I was 10 years old I had an idea of what my future would be like. I would go to college to become a photographer, open my own studio, meet the perfect guy and fall in love, get married, and have 3-4 kids. Now I wasn't sure what my life consisted of, other than battling cancer. My dreams were on hold, I wasn't even sure if I'd be able to have kids anymore after the chemo. I was only 19 years old and my life is already becoming a struggle. It's hard to stay positive when nothing positive happens to begin with.

With a heavy heart and my thoughts all over the place, I let the tears keep falling and let sleep take over my body.