Alone by Tiffany Lovering

responded, proud I knew the difference.
    “ Very traditional. This is my favorite. It's a Cannon Rebel. Takes beautiful photographs. Has all the basic settings, as well as a few advanced ones. And here is a lens with a bit more of a variety in zooms than the one the camera comes with. Optional of course.”
    “ I'll take it.”
    “ You'll need film as well.”
    After I had spent a near fortune at Explorations, I wasn't very excited to try my new purchases out. It was all a bit overwhelming. However, if I was going to attempt new paths for the art show, I'd better start as soon as possible. I would try watercolor first. It seemed to be the most logical since I already knew how to paint. Photography was completely stepping outside the box for me. My pictures had always been overexposed disposable camera shots or blurry Polaroid’s.
    I read the book on watercolor first, well some of it anyway, as I needed to know how each brush was used. I tried it out by painting a simple rose but it just didn't feel right. The brushes were too smooth and the colors were muted. I liked the crunch sound of the brush on the canvas when I painted with acrylics. Watercolor was too soft for me. I put the paints away and set the painting on my dining room table to dry.
    I pulled out my camera and spent a long time reading the detailed manual. There was too much to understand so I focused on just a few different settings. I loaded the film and the batteries and turned the camera on. It sprung to life and I tried focusing on different items in my apartment at different zooms but didn't take a single picture. I thought about what I would want my first picture to be of, I felt like it should be meaningful in some way.
    I went to my bedroom and took out my box. I removed the knife and set it aside. That wasn't something I wanted in the picture. That was a little too personal. I arranged the different things inside. The calligraphy pen on top and a small piece of parchment with some random sayings on it. I had my blue ribbon from my tenth grade art show. Some red paint and a paintbrush showing themselves just a little bit. I stood above it and focused my camera on the shot inside the box. I had no idea if the lighting was right or not. The light was behind me, which I read was right, but that was the only thing I knew I had right. I took two shots and put the knife back in the box.
    “ Nice camera.”
    I jumped in my seat and turned to see Sara standing in my room. How did she seem to always come out of no where? I knew the door was unlocked this time but I didn't hear the door close or her footsteps as she walked through my apartment to my room.
    “ I knocked but you didn't answer,” she said as I tried to calm myself.
    “ You scared the hell out of me Sara. Can't you make some noise or something when you're around?”
    “ Sorry. I'll remember that next time. I see you took my advice and got a camera and some watercolors.”
    “ Yeah. I don't think I like the watercolor. Just not my style.”
    “ The rose is beautiful though. I love it. It's so simple and delicate. You can't actually think it would look better in acrylic. Roses are supposed to look delicate.”
    I laughed, of course she was right, but that didn't make me like the process any better. “I do like the camera. Since you talked me into buying it, doesn't that kind of obligate you to be one of my subjects?” I asked.
    “ No!” Sara shouted. “I'm sorry. I just don't think it's a good idea. I've never liked getting my picture taken. Please don't.”
    “ Alright, can I just ask why? I mean you let me paint you.”
    “ That's different. Just please, no pictures okay?”
    “ No pictures, I promise,” I said unable to hide the disappointment.
    “ What's in the box?” she asked obviously trying to change the subject.
    “ Have a seat and I will show you.” Sara sat on the bed with the box between us.
    I showed her a photo of the first painting I had ever done, called Mystery