It was beginning of the April in the year 2012. The weather in Arcadia Bay was getting pleasantly warmer, as everyone wished for and the animals began to show up at Blackwell Academy campus. Arcadia Bay was one of the smaller seaside towns. Mostly with a peaceful atmosphere all over the place. The spectacular nature surrounding the town had its own spirit. Calm trees, always facing the slow sunrise, a beach serving a space for romantic nights and lovely summer afternoons, majestic rocks, protecting the trees from a rough wind. And above the whole Arcadia Bay, probably the most known landmark in the closest miles, an old lighthouse was holding a patrol as a never leaving knight.

Everyone, who studied Photography at Blackwell Academy trying to convince you, it wasn't because of Mark Jefferson, would be labeled as liars. Nathan Prescott was happy and proud to be one of his students. He knew, that Mark Jefferson was a world known photographer and if Nathan wanted to be really famous as Mr. Jefferson one day, he couldn`t choose a better program. Mr. Jefferson was charming, talented and had a sense for details. But for more than half of the school year, he was reserved towards his students. He probably tried to earn his respect as a teacher so hardly. Not this week. Mr. Jefferson chose a different strategy. He decided to be more open and behave more individually towards the students in his class. It completely changed the atmosphere in the class and his students adored him.
He was funny and swift, always knowing the right answers. Like a real master of his profession.

First Monday of the April, Nathan was sitting in the photography class, concentrated at every word coming over Mr. Jefferson's lips.
"Okay students," Mr. Jefferson addressed them, quickly looked over the classroom to be sure everyone was paying attention to him and continued: "From the beginning of the school year, I have seen many of your photographs. I have noticed, some if you were born as natural photographers with a vision and promising future, but you miss the knowledge. Some of you are might not so talented yet, but you love the art of photography and you are very diligent and ambitious. Being a great photographer requires both. But don't worry, if you don't see the exact angle, position or way of light, practice and experience will fix it. Due to these reasons, I've decided to choose an another method towards you. I would like to know more about you. I know you all love taking pictures, but I want to know what real talent is inside you." He made a short pause and seen all the eyes in the class were glued to him. He took the word again: "I am one hundred percent sure, that all of you don't take pictures for our class only. I want you to bring me your personal portfolios, excluding the pictures I've seen already. You can even bring the bad pictures if you wish to discuss, what has turned them wrong. Students who will not bring me the portfolios will be classified with F. Consider this project as your homework. Feel free to number the photographs and add a short description, which you like. Name of the photography, what was the place or your mood while you were taking them. Any questions?"
A shy girl raised her arm into the air. The photography teacher nodded, giving her a signal, she can ask her question.
"How old the photographs can be, Mr. Jefferson?"
"It really doesn't matter, as long as you remember with which camera did you take them and what the circumstances were. But I am sure, you have a really good memory, Lynn," he replied and smiled at her. The color of Lynn's cheeks turned into mellow peaches and she simply thanked him.
"Is everything clear?" Mr. Jefferson asked. All students in the class nodded.
"Awesome!" shouted Mr. Jefferson and clapped his hands. The school bell had no mercy as Mr. Jefferson tried to drown it out: "DON'T FORGET! THE DEADLINE IS THIS FRIDAY! SEE YOU TOMORROW!"

Should I ask him now? I don't want to look stupid.. Breathe, Nathan..
-"Nathan?" Mr. Jefferson spoke to him.
"Yes?" Nathan answered and soberly walked to his teacher.
"You look worried about something. What is it?"

Nathan was thinking. How long it actually was someone asked him such a question? His father wasn't treating him well since he started to study at Blackwell Academy. He was just giving him money and kept a deep abyss between each other. His sister Kristen really liked him, but lived far away her own life. He wasn't bad-looking, but didn't know how to play it with girls. He always needed a booze to come out of his shell, but then always somehow messed it up. It seemed to him, Mr. Jefferson was probably only one person, who really cared about him. He felt, there was some kind of mental connection between them since the beginning of the school year, but Mr. Jefferson probably didn't want to prioritize him publicly.
"Nathan! Come back to this universe. Now!" Mr. Jefferson raised his voice a bit.
"I am sorry, Mr. Jefferson."
"What's wrong? Something happened?"
"No, I just.."
"Come on, I don't bite. You can trust me."
"I know, Mr. Jefferson. I was just wondering.. if you will be talking about the details of the portfolios in the class."
"No, we will be talking about the portfolios in privacy after school. But Nathan, you shouldn't choose your photos depending on this. You have to learn, how to present yourself as a strong personality. Remember, there will always be critics. And if you will not build strong nerves, they will eat you alive."
"Thank you, Mr. Jefferson," answered Nathan, satisfied with Jefferson's positive thinking.
"No need to thank. And yet, Nathan.. come closer."
Nathan stepped so close, he could see the teacher's bright eyes and wondered what was behind them. Mr. Jefferson put his hand on Nathan's shoulder and spoke to him with lowered voice: "Nathan, in your case - I am really not worried about your name in the future photography hall of fame. You're very talented, maybe even my best student. Trust yourself more. We will practice more and you will learn all the photography techniques. You have it naturally in yourself. Loss, there is no space, where I could give you private lessons.. I could show you more, than what I can just during our class." He sighed, took his hand off Nathan's shoulder and added: "If you will need any kind of help or just to have a chit-chat, I'm here for you, Nathan. Alright?" Mr. Jefferson manly, but friendly slapped Nathan's arm three times and smiled at him.
"Thank you, Mr. Jefferson. I really appreciate your interest."
"I'm glad, Nathan. For now, enjoy the rest of your day."
"You too," answered Nathan and headed out of the class with a smile all over his face.

Nathan walked trough the school corridor, which was emptying, as the students were finishing their classes. Wow! Mr. Jefferson thinks I am really talented. Jesus! That`s really an honor. World photographer like him just gave me a compliment! I can`t almost breathe! I really have had to impress him.. And private lessons? That would be something! But where to do this? I absolutely have to prepare my portfolio well and choose the right pictures. Yet, there were some, which I would like to discuss-
"-Oops! I am really sorry, Nathan!" said Lynn, taking him away from his thoughts, as she accidentally bumped into him at the corner of the corridor. She felt stupid and instantly looked into the floor.
"Uh, it's.. it's alright, Lynn.. I was just thinking about the homework.. and I didn't see you, it was my fault," he tried to apologize. Nathan spotted a piece of paper on the floor. He bent down and grabbed it and quickly looked at its content. It was a raw sketch of his portrait.
"Is this yours?" Nathan asked Lynn, blushing a bit. It wasn`t a bad drawing, but looked like it was sketched in a hurry.
"Yes, it is mine.. It is so stupid.." said shy Lynn and tried to grab the sketch from Nathan`s hand. Nathan was confused and for a second he didn`t want to let go. Lynn`s fast move tore the sketch apart.
"Oh! Lynn, I am sorry!" shouted Nathan. Lynn quickly turned her back to him and run to the main entrance.
"Lynn! WAIT! I didn`t want to-"
-SLAM! The door behind Lynn closed and she left Nathan standing in the corridor ashamed for a little misunderstanding. He shrugged and slowly followed Lynn`s trail. He didn`t actually want to follow her and he wanted to give her a chance to escape for girls` dorms. He was thinking about his homework again.

Walking slowly on the school ground, Nathan stopped for a while and turned himself against the sun. He closed his eyelids and let the sun rays soak into his jacket. The warmth was stroking his arms and chest, he felt how spring sun was turning into the summer sun and it was a pleasant feeling.
Should I ask my dad, if he could find a place for my private lessons with Mr. Jefferson? No, that`s a bad idea.. I promised to myself to accept his money only when it will be necessary. I don`t want to look spoiled. But if it could help to my future career.. When I am taking the pictures, I feel so calm and.. myself..

Nathan reached the boys' dorms when sun was slowly setting. He gave to the biggest star last glance and entered the building. The place was smelling bad by something unpleasant and that was a moment, when Nathan was wishing to have his own flat in the town. But he also wanted to socialize more. He stopped in front of his room and found a sticky note on the door. `You don`t own this place,` said the blue ink on a yellow paper.
Great. Why do they connect me with the money of my father so often? At least they don`t come for loans..
He removed the sticky note, crumpled it in his palm and let it fell on the floor. He wanted to leave all the negative feelings on the corridor. Nathan walked into his room, closed the door, threw the briefcase somewhere into the corner and fell on the bed. He didn`t want to think anymore, but his brain didn`t let him. He was playing the conversation with Mr. Jefferson in his head over and over. Then Lynn with the sketch of him.. Nathan instinctively grabbed the headphones lying at the end table and let the whales' song to calm his mind. Few minutes later, he passed out and definitely didn`t hear, when someone was knocking at his door.