Through the lens
Four POV
I hear my phone ding and I check the message, knowing that it is either Christina or Zeke. They are both trying to set me up with one of Christina's friends that has just moved from Seattle. That's where we all are from, but we all came here after high school, but Will and Christina only came here this year. I catch a glimpse of the contact. Christina. I roll my eyes and check the text, 'Bar n Grill tonight at 8pm. Be there!' I sigh and close the text. I guess I have plans tonight, although I don't want to go. Every set up I have had with them has ended in a one night stand and nothing more. I swear that this will be my last set up. It's time to settle down and wait for the right girl, which will give me more time to focus on my career.
The wind whistles in my ears and the lake catches a glimpse of the sun's rays and splashes it across my face. Despite it being quite chilly and windy, I feel at peace here. The park is usually my preference for taking pictures, because it's naturally beautiful and it's full of life, and the parks in Iowa, as well as the scenery are always good for my career. That's one of the main reasons I live here, and also because this is where all my friends live.
There are kids running around, swinging on trees and swing sets and impatient parents lining up with their children waiting for their chance to order. The ice cream truck is here most weekends and it's always swarmed with little people running over, pointing and begging their parents with pleading eyes. They don't usually bother me, but they can get in the way of my shots sometimes. With the parent's consent, I can even use a good photo or two of the young kids. I spend my time taking some photos of the lake, the park, the trees and even some odd flower beds here and there.
I have always loved photography, ever since I could remember. I had a camera when I was younger, around the age of 12, but Marcus found it and let's just say that I learnt my lesson. I started photography again after I left school and even made some money selling a few good photos. My own personal business just grew from there. I finish up and as I turn around, something catches my eye. It's beautiful.
She has long blond hair that reflects the sun's shine perfectly, and her face is lit up with bright grey eyes and a radiant smile, as she chases after the young boy in front of her. Her body is small and petite and her outfit of a simple summer dress and thongs, just makes her look as if she is meant to be on the cover of the magazine I provide with my masterpieces. She is literally picture perfect, and I have never thought about this way about anyone and she also looks quite young.
My eyes then move from her to the young boy that is smiling widely and running as fast as his little legs can carry him. He looks so much like her, it's as if they are twins. He has shady blond hair, bright grey eyes and he looks quite fit for a kid that age. He looks almost about four years old. I watch intently from a couple metres away and can only just hear what they are saying to one another, as they stop to catch their breath and fall on the grass laughing. He crawls over to her and rests his tried little head on her chest, propping it up on his elbows. I can feel a smile tugging on my lips watching them both, I just can't help it; they are just too adorable.
"Mummy…?" I hear the little boy murmur towards her. So that's his mother? She must have had him awfully young to look so young now.
"Yes Teddy?" She answers, with a voice so sweet it could honesty just make me melt. He looks at her with desperation and asks, "Can I get an ice cream? Please…?" He pleads and begs and starts lightly tugging on the top of her shirt. His nose scrunches up and his face contorts, it has got to be one of the cutest things I have ever seen. I watch her shake her head and sigh, and I watch intently in confusion and fascination. I know about young mothers and they can generally handle kids at their best, but not at their worst and Teddy looks pleading. I wonder how she will handle this.
"I'm so sorry baby, but I didn't bring my wallet." She explains, and his face falls. I feel my heart drop, I don't like that look. She looks over at him with sad eyes and tilts his chin up softly. He looks at her with a slight tear making his way down. He looks as though he has always been told no, and he just knew it was coming. I look down at her left hand, and I see no sign of any rings. So I get up from my crouching position, sling my camera over my shoulder and head over. I am about 4 metres away when I grab my wallet out of the back pocket in my jeans and pull out a five dollar note. The little boy spots me before she does and look very wary of me. He watches me intently and with hesitation. He shrinks back after he looks over me and I can see a sense of fear in his eyes. A fear that I once had in my own eyes… From my father.
"What are you looking at baby boy?" His mother asks him, and when he doesn't respond, but continues to look my way as I come closer and closer, her eyes snap to mine. I crouch down about a metre from them and I hold my hand out. The woman looks at me in confusion and surprise, but she doesn't say anything. I send her a smile and then cast my attention back on the boy who is clinging to her shirt and looking at me with wary eyes.
"Hi." I say to him, "I'm Four, what's your name?" He looks at me with confusion before he answers, "Teddy." He says quietly. "That's a really cool name." I reply back to him. I hear in mumble a thanks and I look back at his mother before saying, "I heard you asking your mum if you could get and ice cream and I also heard she left her wallet at home. So I thought I would shout you one, is that okay?" I turn to her and I catch her looking at me with awe and surprise.
She looks almost as though she has never had anything offered to her by any man. Teddy glances at her, searching for any expression as an answer, but our eyes are still locked. He shakes her slightly and her eyes tear away from me and back to the boy, and with a slight nod of her head, he slowly takes the note form my hands, squeals and runs off to line up. His grin engulfing his cute little face and I stand up so I can see where he is in the line.
I am surprised over my own sense of protection over HER child; not mine. When I turn back around to look at her she stands about a foot smaller then me and about a metre away from me. She mumbles a thanks and I nod. She holds out her hand and I gladly meet hers halfway. Her handshake is soft but firm and her posture stands strong and aware, and she is always glancing at her son at every moment, to ensure his safety no doubt.
"I'm Tris." She states strong and certain, but her voice sounds like silk and it rings through my eyes right to my core, making my heart melt. "I'm Four." I reply, no taking my eyes off of hers, but drinking in every detail. I hear a high pitched squeal and we both turn around and spot Teddy, running toward us with my five dollars still in hand. I look behind him and see another man, around my height, but a couple of inches smaller and less muscular then me. As Teddy jumps into Tris' arms, I see her face go pale with… Fear. Fear from this man, who has an evil smirk on him face and his fists are clenched. I can already read it. He has hurt them, and now he is back to see them. I stare at him and watching him as he marches towards us.