".Space makes time seem long and slow when you're far from me."

Chapter 42 - Pick - up

There were colorful flowers, attractive posters and picturesque sceneries. It was hard to choose what would be the subject of Isabelle's entry for the contest. She searched and looked carefully for the best shots. She got hold of her camera and started to click and take that first picture. She decided to go for the butterfly resting idly on a flower; but as she was about to take the shot, the butterfly flew leaving the flower seem ordinary. Isabelle shook her head and became frustrated. She needed to make a good impression. They were 20 participants and only 5 would be able to reach Regionals; she had to make it. "I would be happy with 5th place", Isabelle thought to herself. She searched again for a better subject. As she was walking, Isabelle saw Jase sitting on the staircase. He was directly lighted by the sunlight. It was dramatic and definitely eye - catching. Isabelle sighed, she had to. She grabbed her camera and took the shot. The picture won't be viewed 'till they would be printed so she prayed that it would look good. If it won't, she'll blame it on Jase. 4 shots to go, she got around the building and took shots of all kinds. It was exciting and nerve - wracking at the same time. She was doing what she loved but she was doing it for a cost. It was a life and death situation.

It was waiting time. The films were all passed to the board of judges for printing and evaluation. Isabelle was tensed, her hands were shaking and she could barely speak. Jase smiled and approached her. She started to poke Isabelle. She didn't mind him, her mind was wandering off. But Jase was all over the place, poking her arm and smiling in quite a weird way.

"Hey!", he said.

Isabelle looked at him with a little irritation again. "What?", with a fake smile.

"Isabelle. Hmm. Your name's kinda long. Can I just call you Isa? Better save this wonderful voice of mine."

"Yeah Sure. Whatever."

"Hey Isa!"

"What???"

"You may fall from the sky, you may fall from a tree, but the best way to fall... is in love with me", Jase said with a big grin.

Isabelle was shocked; but she noticed that some other people were making cheesy pick -up lines too. So to lessen the tension she was feeling, she decided to just ride with the conversation.

"Okay Jase. Well then. People call me Isabelle, but you can call me Tonight! Haha.", Isabelle said with a little exaggeration.

"I see where this is going. Game on. Ms. Isabelle, Do you have a map? Because I just keep getting lost in your eyes!"

And so the pick - up lines continued. The fear and anxiety of Isabelle was lessened. They laughed and smiled at each other for the whole afternoon. Making lines that seemed to cheesy even for them. They were talking like they were long - time friends.

"Time for the announcement of winners", said the emcee of the competition.