It all started with a look.
They found each other across a crowded room, two people brought there for different reasons, him, with mixed feelings of loyalty and unrequited love, and her, with happiness and sadness at the same time, fearing she would never grasp what seemed to come so easily for everyone else.
He was shielded with a camera, as usual, given the freedom to watch everyone else, but not be a part of their stories, just an anonymous presence, documenting strange lives and telling stories. She was alone, going between a smile, filled with the joy from seeing other people's happiness, and a serious face, with eyes bright with tears never cried. She wished she could be like the rest of them and drown her sorrows in alcohol, but she didn't find joy in losing her control, much less in a crowded room.
He saw her though his lens, and, against common courtesy rules, she stared back at him with questioning eyes, the hazel look between a challenge and a plea.
-"Interesting" -he thought- "Most people automatically smile for the camera".
He continued looking through the lens at others, now and then his eyes coming back to her with curiosity, following her discreetly, until he looked around and couldn't find her anymore.
Deciding to take a break, he took a drink and went outside, where he found her, sandals by her side, dress hiked up, feet on the cool water of the pool.
-These shoes are hell on your feet- she smiled as she looked up at him.
--Don't you dare take my pic, or I'll never hear the end of it, "a lady doesn't complain of her shoes, and would rather be killed before letting herself be caught in an embarrassing position like this"-she rolled her eyes and sighed at the thought of her law abiding, God fearing family.
-Well, your pic like that would certainly be the most spontaneous one of the night-he chuckled, sitting beside her-but don't worry, your secret's safe with me. I'm Daniel, by the way-he said, extending his hand.
-I'm Alicia, and it'd be nicer to have met you in less embarrassing circumstances, but pleasure to meet you- she said as she shook his hand firmly.
-Well, trust me, taking pictures in lame parties is not my idea of a proud job, but what the hell, it helps me pay the bills and I can entertain my few vices.-he answered with a chuckle
-Vices? Oh, that's much more interesting-she replied with interest.
-Well, sure, as interesting as buying photography equipment on the internet goes- he said lowering his head a bit.
-Oh, don't be ashamed, at least you get to do something you like. Some of us must go through live doing what other people like and expect us to do- she said lowering her head now, looking a her feet splash the water.
He just stared at her with a mix of amusement and interest, there she was, this beautiful girl completely disconnected of the environment, and holding what seemed to be a great weight on her shoulders. He studied her look, starting from her eyes, big, hazel, his favorite color. The long and wavy black hair, the soft skin, almost like white chocolate. He realized he was gawking like a three year old and quickly turned his head.
She noticed the whole scene that was reflected on the water of the pool.
"You don't have to turn around, you are not the first guy that checked me out tonight, at least you can say it's from an entirely professional point of view" she said, still staring at the reflection on the pool.
"Oh, I wasn't, you know..." he retorted in a very clumsy way.
"Yes you were, I can see your reflection on the pool you know, I thought photographers had to check always for reflections" she said, finally turning her head to look at him.
Daniel was completely taken aback, his face red like the crimson full moon in the sky. Before he could say anything she quickly interjected.
"So, do you like what you see?"- She asked in a very mischievous tone, somehow this guy he just met gave her a good feeling, good enough to let her be flirty about it.
"Very much..." he said, and after a few second pause continued -"...from an entirely photographic point of view of course" he finished with a twisted smile on his face.
"Oh, that's good to know, if law school doesn't work I can always become a model" she said standing up suddenly. She walked a few steps back and turned her back to him. Then she turned around, her face in a femme fatale look now, she walked a few steps like she were in a fashion runway, turned around and then returned the point she started. "So, how was that, it's just my first pose but I think it wasn't that bad." she said.
He just laughed about it, who was this girl? What was she doing in a place like this? He stood up and browsing in his bag produced a different camera that the one he was using before, it looked modern, sleek.
"Don't move, this deserves a few shots with my latest vice" he said, holding the camera in front of him.
She wasn't expecting it for sure, but played along, he seemed very focused on taking the pics, constantly checking the light and moving around her. After shooting a few pics he came closer to her.
"May I?" he said bringing his hand to her hair. She just nodded, and he fixed a strand of hair that was over her face, his fingers seemed to be trembling a bit, nervously, and as they brushed over her face she noticed the softness of his hand that suddenly seemed very feminine and small up close, not the regular muscular and rough hand she was used to hold on the guys she had dated.
Moving completely on instinct she got closer to him, her eyes focused on his, their breath mixing in the little space between their lips, lips that drew closer every second till they finally met in a soft yet passionate kiss.
His lips were also different, he wasn't trying to choke her with his tongue either like most guys did, his kiss was gentle, full of passion, but delicate, like he was tasting a fine wine and didn't want to drink it in a single gulp, but enjoy its taste on his mouth as much as he could.
On the other hand he felt repressed force on hers, this mad torrent trying to break free of some imaginary dam, but instead let only a tiny stream leak out, building slowly up till the walls couldn't hold anymore.
They held on to each others lips for a while, until she broke off to catch her breath and gather her thoughts, what to do? there was no privacy whatsoever in that place and she already risked to be seen by kissing him, not that it matter that much to her, but her parents could become really annoying, it was best to avoid giving them any ammunition. On the other hand he just stared at her, not really sure what to do, should he kiss her again? Should he look for a private place where to continue this? The first option sounded safer so he moved to kiss her again, only to be met by a step back from her.
-Sorry, I shouldn't...-he began to say.
-No, don't be, trust me, I want nothing more to see where this could go, but the place isn't right, if somebody catches us I'll never hear the end of it- she answered.