His Lens Once Loved Me

Melissa's POV

Suddenly, I remembered something I had asked Lucas Hudson a long time ago. "Why do you always make me look so good in photos?"

Back then, he had smiled and ruffled my hair. "When the camera loves you, you look good no matter how I shoot you."

So that was it. The camera didn't love me anymore.

I took out my phone and changed my college application from Northport, the same school Lucas had chosen, to Southport, thousands of miles away.

…

Three minutes later, after I had finished changing my application, I looked up and realized that the photographer Lucas had casually stopped earlier was still there.

I was about to apologize to the young man and tell him I wouldn't be taking any photos after all when he raised his camera and gave me an easy smile.

"Hey, could you do me a favor? I'm a rookie, and you fit the scenery really well. Would you let me take a few sample shots? It's free. If I can't get at least one amazing shot of you, I'll pay you 100 dollars."

His offer caught me off guard.

After a moment's thought, I nodded. After all, I'd deliberately worn the new dress I'd just bought and spent an hour doing my makeup.

Besides, I really did love having my picture taken.

But it was already the third day of our trip. Lucas' camera had captured the waves, the sunsets, and countless shots of Zoey smiling, but it had never captured me.

I didn't even have a single photo I could post on social media.

Once we started, the young man took the shoot seriously. Whenever he asked me to adjust my pose or expression, he remained gentle and patient. Not once did he frown at me the way Lucas did.

The shoot ended before long, and he turned the camera around to show me the photos.

To my surprise, almost every single one was beautiful.

After looking through them carefully, I said, "I should still pay you. You're really good."

There was no way a rookie had taken photos this good.

He simply smiled and waved me off. "I'm really not a professional. Meeting like this must be predestined. I hope you have a great trip."

After he sent me the photos, the young man turned and walked away along the shoreline.

Not far away, Lucas and Zoey were still taking pictures. He kept pressing the shutter as the two of them smiled at each other from a distance.

I walked over to tell my classmates I was heading back first, but Zoey spoke before I could. "We're going to take some more pictures around the island. Mel, do you want to come?"

I shook my head. "I'm a little tired. I want to go back to the hotel first."

Only then did Lucas turn to look at me.

He studied me for a few seconds before speaking. "What's wrong? Are you upset because that photographer didn't get any good pictures of you?

"That's normal. You're just not easy to photograph. Most people wouldn't have the patience to keep searching for the right angles like I do."

I stared at the face I'd grown up seeing, and suddenly my nose stung.

I couldn't understand why he'd become so hateful after Zoey appeared. The Lucas who used to reassure me and shower me with praise seemed to have died the moment Zoey transferred to our school.

"No," I said softly as I shook my head. "I really like the photos he took. They're my favorite photos so far."

Lucas' expression immediately darkened, and displeasure flashed in his eyes.

A few seconds later, he scoffed. "Are you just upset because I didn't take any pictures of you today? Do you really have to say something that ridiculous just to piss me off?

"Some cheap street photographer isn't going to take any good pictures.

"Zoey, let's go."

He turned and started toward the boat, but Zoey grabbed his hand and looked at me with disapproval. "Mel, Lucas has taken so many beautiful pictures of you before. What you just said was really hurtful. You don't appreciate anything he does for you."

Was I supposed to appreciate him for falling for someone else, or was I supposed to appreciate the way he put me down again and again?

At Zoey's words, some of the coldness faded from Lucas' expression. "It's fine. Not everyone is as kind and generous as you."

He took Zoey's hand, and the two of them walked away together.

I stood there and suddenly felt as though all the strength had drained from my body.

A wave crashed against the shore, and salty seawater splashed against my lips, leaving behind a bitter, sharp taste.