Sorry this chapter took me longer then normal. I have been busy with some stuff. This chapter is just kind of a way to keep the story going. So I'm not just jumping into things. It's just a time filler so you know what's been happening. It kind of moves around from people and places. I didn't think anything was to important in this chapter to really go into extreme detail about. Though I'll revisit some of the stuff in a later chapter.

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Chapter 22

I had found my photography class to be completely amazing. I looked forward to going and babbled every night on the phone will Ellie about how fun the class was and how great Eve was. I don't think Ellie had ever seen this side of me before. I don't even think I've seen this side of me before. I felt like a five year old child who found out they won a lifetime supply of candy bars. I had never felt this excited about anything before. I was even giving Mr. and Mrs. Michalchuk an earful.

"It sounds like you are really enjoying this class." Mrs. Michalchuk said during dinner one night. I had just finished telling my play by play on my photography class.

"I am." I said taking a bit of chicken.

"I'm glad to hear it." She relied.

"You know Alex, when we go camping there will be lots of great sites to take picture of." Mr. Michalchuk, "I know you'll love it."

I smiled. I didn't like the idea of camping but I did love the idea of being able to take real pictures of nature and not just of what grew in the back yard.

"Oh Alex, Leo the owner of Friends with Food called today. He said you can start this Saturday." Mrs. Michalchuk said.

"Alright. That sounds good." I replied. I wasn't to enthused about having to work again but the thought of getting a pay check again was nice.

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"Alright, I just want to say you have all done an excellent job with your portfolios. I know you've only been working on them for a month. I also want you too keep in mind that this will be your professional portfolio so make sure you keep it neat and organized." Eve said as she passed them back.

Eve walked back around to me to hand me my portfolio. "Nice work, Alex." She smiled as she handed it to me.

"Thanks." I said taking it from her.

We spent the rest of class going over camera lenses. Finally we were dismissed from class and I gathered my photography book and portfolio and started heading for the door feeling pleased with myself.

"Alex, do you have a sec?" I heard as I as was approaching the door. I turned around.

"Sure." I replied walking back to Eve.

"I just wanted to let you know your doing a great job in this class. Your first assignments were good and they keep getting better." She smiled. I was surprised to hear her say those things to me.

"Thanks." I said, "I'm really enjoying the class." I felt I had sounded stupid but maybe it was just because I was being honest.

"I can tell." She replied. "I just wanted to tell you to keep up the good work."

I spent the rest of the day thinking about my conversation with Eve. I couldn't believe she really liked my work. What she had said had really made me feel good. I had never considered myself a bad photographer but I never considered myself to great either. I looked over some pictures I had taken since Mr. Michalchuk had given me the camera. I compared them to the pictures in my portfolio. I thought they all held good quality but I could see a difference with my recent shots. Those tips on lightings and angles had really enhanced my them. I had never really had a skill before this and I was so excited to finally have some hobby to call my own.

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The rest of my classes were coming along fine. English was pretty easy, though it started to get annoying hearing Ellie talk about Professor Wilson non-stop. She would comment on his cloths, his hair, his eyes, his ears, his nose...it was enough to want to jump of a bridge. I couldn't say anything however because my talking time was spent discussing Photography and Eve.

"So, I see you've found some eye candy." Ellie said during a study session we were having one night.

"I like her, but not like that. She's just a great teacher." I replied looking up from my math book.

"Uh-hum." Ellie said looking completely focused on her book.

"Seriously El." My voice was getting stern. "Why do people think that just because I'm a lesbian it automatically means I like every girl I see?"

"Whoa there... I'm sorry." She said looking up from her work, "But really Alex. It's been a while since you and Paige broke up. And you never seem to talk about anyone. Is there anyone else besides Paige who has ever... caught your eye?"

I was silent. I didn't even know how to answer the question.

"Alex, it's not like it isn't obvious you still have feelings for Paige. Even if you don't want to admit it, you know you do. But, you really should start looking to move on." I was suddenly upset with Ellie but she had sounded so caring and concerned I couldn't yell or scream at her. I could only nod and remain silent.

"Alex common. I'm your friend. Talk to me." She insisted.

I couldn't help but chuckle.

"There we go." Ellie smiled back.

"Ellie," My voice was sounding serious again, "It's not Paige that's...I mean…it's just..." I struggled to explain myself but I wasn't even sure what I wanted to say.

"It's hard." I finally spat out.

"I know." Ellie replied. "We'll find you someone."

Despite the fact I knew I didn't want to get into another relationship I was amused by Ellie being so eager to help me try to find someone.

"So Alex, what is your type?" Ellie said carefully as if I might get offended.

"I dunno." I replied, "I just like who I like. I can't help it."

"But you never check out...like certain girls or anything?" I could tell it was weird for Ellie to be talking about girls with another girl. It only amused me more.

"Just who ever catches my attention." I replied.

"Okay, well who tends to catch your attention?"

I laughed at the fact Ellie wasn't going to drop the subject, "I don't know. Just girls. I like girls but I mean I'm not girl crazy!" I spat out still half laughing.

"Okay...okay..." Ellie replied. I could tell she was going to drop the subject.

"So how is your English paper coming along?" I asked trying to get back into conversation after moment of silence.

"It's coming alright. It's a hard assignment."

"Tell me about it. And Mr. Wilson only gave us two days to do it." I complained.

"Yea, he is beginning to irritate me. He's so hard." Ellie replied looking away from me.

"Aww...have we changed our mind about our teacher?" I joked.

Ellie smiled. "Alex. That's not funny. He's still cute, but he's a little mean." She sighed turning back to look at her assignment.

I chucked and shook my head.

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My first day of work At Friends with Food was actually a nice experience. The people there were really nice and welcomed me right in. I was a cashier, so I got to spend the afternoon chit chatting with customers as they made their way through the line. It was a lot nicer than the mall where I had to wait on them hand and foot. I made a mental note to myself to get Mrs. Michalchuk a thank you gift for getting me this job. This was considerably less stressful than my other job. Leo, the owner, said he was very understanding about me being in school so if I needed to take a day or something it would be okay. Also, to my surprise my shift went by very fast and I was able to go home and finish working on my portfolio for Tuesday's class. I added some pictures I had taken over Christmas that I thought would really add to the quality of my portfolio. I browsed through it a few times to make sure everything was in order and to enjoy something that I myself had created.

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The next chapter will be getting ready for the camping trip. I'm thinking i'm only going to need a chapter but I might need two (because I don't plan on making it the only focus of the chapter.) and then the next few chapters after that will be the actual trip. I don't expect to be so busy this week so hopefull i'll the the next chapter up in a day or two and the camping trip up early this week.