All Chapters of His Lens Once Loved Me: Chapter 1 - Chapter 9

Melissa's POVSuddenly, 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

I spent the entire day exploring Ocean World by myself.When I returned to the hotel, I saw that someone had uploaded a video to our class group chat.Our homeroom teacher sent a few smiling emojis along with a message.[Lucas made this graduation memory video for our class. I've been so busy lately that I forgot to upload it. Everyone, save a copy as a keepsake.]I hesitated for a moment before opening it.The video was eight minutes long, yet I appeared for only a single second, during the introductions. Meanwhile, Zoey's bright, smiling face appeared countless times.Eating, studying, running...When the video ended, I tossed my phone aside and lay back on the bed, covering my damp eyes with my arm.The Everlight camera Lucas had used to film it was a birthday present I'd bought for him with money I'd saved from working promotional jobs over two summer and winter breaks.We'd used that camera to capture countless little moments from our daily lives at school. Yet in the fin

Third-person POVThe second day of registration at Northport University was drawing to a close.The crowds of freshmen had dwindled from a crushing mass to a sparse trickle. Lucas' camera had captured countless unfamiliar faces, but not one belonged to the person he was looking for.He'd originally planned to make an enrollment video for Melissa Cooper, hoping it would help put their argument during the graduation trip behind them.But now, Lucas frowned as he made his way to the business school registration desk. Had he somehow missed her?However, students at the nearby history department told him that all the business school freshmen had already registered and left for the day.Could he really have missed her?He immediately sent Melissa a message on WhatsApp.There was no reply.He called her, but the call wouldn't go through.The sun was already setting by the time Lucas finally managed to reach her.The other end of the line was noisy, as though she were at a station.

Henry and I exchanged contact information. Whenever I ran into something I didn't understand as a newcomer at school, I could ask him, and he always responded quickly with an answer or solution.That week, the photography club was heading to a nearby city for an outdoor shoot and needed a model. Henry asked if I wanted to come along.Henry: [The club will reimburse your travel expenses, and lunch is included.]I agreed without a second thought. He had already helped me with several things, so it was only right that I return the favor somehow.After spending a full day with the club, I gained an even deeper understanding of what kind of person Henry was.Whenever he taught new members, he spoke patiently and never rushed them. He guided them step by step through the camera settings and carefully explained how to use the props.When club members volunteered to model, he never once frowned or showed impatience, regardless of their appearance or lack of experience.As I stood off to

In September, Southport University welcomed another class of freshmen.As a member of the student council, I was stationed at the entrance to help guide the new students.When I saw Lucas approaching with bag after bag of luggage, I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me.His eyes lit up the moment he spotted me, and he hurried over. "Mel, I got into Southport University!"He pulled his acceptance letter from his bag and looked at me with earnest anticipation. "I spent an entire year working my way toward you. Can't you see how determined I am?"From now on, we'll never be apart again, just like we weren't for the first eighteen years of our lives."He paused, his voice trembling slightly. "From now on, you'll be the only one in my camera's view."I frowned and took a step back. "Why did you have to follow me all the way to Southport? I already made myself perfectly clear. There's no chance of us ever being together."The thought of him forcing his way back into my life fill