AN: Okay, we're gonna start gearing up now. It won't seem like it for these first few chapters, but we are, I promise. By the way, I've got another little shortfic I'm going to post. Angsty, no HEA J/A. Check it out if you're so inclined. It's called 'Beneath The Willow'.


Streetlight People

Part Five: Some Will Win, Some Will Lose

Chapter One


"What's that?"

"A camera," Bella replied, not moving from behind the lens.

"Duh," Fiona intoned, popping her gum obnoxiously. "I meant, 'what are you doing?'"

"Taking pictures."

There was a frustrated huff and Bella allowed a small smile to press against the LCD screen of her Nikon as she listened to Fiona's footsteps retreating.

Things were going slow that afternoon at Platt's and Bella was thankful that she had decided to bring her camera with her that day. It had seemed to be such an small, almost insignificant decision, really, but the blanket of peace that had surrounded her late that morning when she had cradled the DSLR body in her palms… She hadn't even realized how much she had missed it.

"The stuff you take pictures of," Esme began, sliding on to a stool on the other side of the bar, "they any good?"

Bella shrugged before steeling herself and depressing the shutter. The quick, resounding clicks that followed brought a feeling of relief through her that she couldn't explain.

"I don't know," she finally answered her boss, peeking down to the small screen and scrolling through the short series she'd taken.

It was of a sparrow that had rested on the potted tree just by the large picture window. Bella had caught the bird jumping from branch to branch before it had leapt and took flight. Studying what she could from the thumbnail sized images, she tried to view each picture with an objective eye.

Before she could begin to criticize the composition of the shots, though, the bell attached to the door jingled. Looking up as she stashed her camera behind the counter, Bella plastered on a smile.

"Hi! Welcome to Platt's! Have a seat anywhere, I'll be right with you."