Is It Too Late To Turn Back?

[Quinn Wiley]

The newspaper. Quinn never thought much about and it was actually surprising. After all, they too needed photographers. Not a lot of course and the photography club was a lot more appropriate for him to it made sense it was the one club he thought of when pushed by his aunt to pick an activity. The thought came to his mind then that he could have lied, pretended to be in one without her ever knowing about this, since they were not around and he had no cousins of his to rat him out. But he still joined one. Because, in the end, Quinn was not as antisocial as he claimed to be. He actually wished for someone to acknowledge his presence in this school.

The idea of showing to the newspaper did not come from him. He did not intend to be part of it either. He had enough socialisation with the photography club. It only happened that the newspaper’s photographer had not been able to make it to the equestrian club to take pictures for an article they planned on writing and Quinn was. They found out and asked him if he couldn’t lend some of his shots instead, so it would run with a picture to come along.

Honestly, he didn’t think his pictures would be worth showing there. He didn’t try to sell the club to anyone. They would thank him to come here but say it was not what they were looking for and look for some older pictures they might have in their archive. They had archives right? He bet they did, all dusty, with pictures starting to turn yellow from the years. That thought only had him wish to turn back and pretend that never happened. Of course, he probably should have come to that idea before he actually made his way to the newspaper’s office and knocked at the doorframe before coming in the open door. It would have been wiser.

TAG: Gemma Dove

[Gemma Dove]

The sun was bright today. Bright and streaming rays of dazzling sunlight into the newspaper office, the windows displaying a Montana slowly unfurling into summer. The sunny day had highly influenced Gemma's bright disposition, and with a bounce in her step the blonde was dealing with the various day to day tasks necessary to keeping the Academy's newspaper up and running. She was humming to herself as she carried a file over towards the filing cabinet, one of the computers tuned in to the Academy's radio stream. It seemed as though the host was feeling as upbeat as Gemma was, as the playlist had been the perfect addition to a sunny day; The songs were mostly light hearted, and only further enhanced Gemma's cheery mood.
She pulled open the drawer, flipping through the other files until she found the exact placement for the one she held, smiling she she slipped it in before turning away and using her hip to knock the drawer closed.

She then paused, blinking over at the open door as a knock sounded, a guy stood in the doorway. Gemma found herself blinking at him a moment, recognising him, but at first being unable to pinpoint exactly who he was. "Can I-" She began brightly, tilting her head to one side, only for the realisation to dawn on her; The newspaper's main photographer had been unable to get the photos they needed, so someone had messaged another at the school's club to help out... This must be him. "OH! You're the photographer, right?" She grinned, clasping her hands together before bouncing over to the boy's side, offering her hand to shake. "I'm Gemma, I don't believe we've met!" She gave him a wink as she placed her other hand on her hip, leaning into it slightly. "Reporter extraordinaire! And who do I have the honour of addressing?"

[Quinn Wiley]

Quinn saw someone in the office. Some blonde girl with a cheery disposition. He looked around, hoping for someone else. Too late. The girl was already on him with her smile and bouncing hair. He didn't understand people like that, this happy. He just couldn’t be like. It was impossible. Even when he was happy, it was not long until he went back to what he was right now. He didn’t think he was gloomy. He was realistic. It was not his fault life sucked so much.

“Uh, yes,” he told her, pulling out the file he had with the pictures he took. The grin, the clapping of hands, the bubbly way she just appeared to him... that was too much of a ray of sunshine for him. He blinked as she introduced herself to him. Gemma, reporter extraordinaire. Okay. He was not going to spend a lot of time around her.

Despite being rather asocial, he still had some manners and knew that when someone extended their hand for you to shake as they said their name, the custom was to do the same. “Quinn. And I have your pictures. But I don’t know if you’ll like them. I was not really taking them with the article in mind,” he warned her. He held the file in his other hand so he could shake hers. Then, since he just told her about the pictures and was hoping he wouldn’t stay here too long, he gave them to her.

At this point, he could have just left. He did his part, she no longer needed him. But curiosity prevented him from going anywhere. He didn’t show his pictures to a lot a people and he was anxious to know what she would think of them. Although, judging by her personality, he bet that even if she didn’t like them she would not let it show and find some way to make it positive. Probably would add a grin.

[Gemma Dove]

Gemma shook the boy's hand with her usual level of enthusiasm, before taking the file he held out with a polite nod. "You really saved our butts, Mr.Quinn," She smiled, hugging the file to herself with a slight tilt of her head.
Gemma had always maintained a sunny, bright disposition, through most of her life. She was a sharp contrast to her older brother, with his pessimistic and sarcastic attitude; She supposed she had simply gained all of the positive genes and had barely dabbled in the negative end of the gene pool. She simply could not see the reason for not giving the world everything you could, to bring as much sunshine and positivity to others around you as you were able; Life was cruel, she knew that. She may be ditzy but Gemma knew the realities of the world she lived in... And frankly, saw that as more of a push to be the ray of sunlight she tried so desperately to be... The world needed it.
The other boy didn't just up and leave, but hovered there, obviously wanting her to take a look through his photos before he left the office; Gemma was no professional photographer, but she took photos herself for a number of articles the newspaper had run so she had a decent enough idea of what a good photo needed to encompass. Gemma gestured for the boy to follow her, making her way over to a table and opening up the file, shuffling the items within it so she could gain a visual of each photo he'd included.

She pouted, settling back one arm round her waist, her other hand on her chin as she tapped a finger against her lips. "... These are really good," She spoke finally, giving the boy a smile. "You have a lot of talent. Have you thought about joining the newspaper officially? As a photographer?"

[Quinn Wiley]

Quinn didn’t have sweaty palms or cold fingers but he still was not all that keen about shaking hands. When the one he shook hands with happened to do it with that much enthusiasm, it just showed even more. She was too bubbly, made him look even more gloomy despite the fact he thought he was fine today. He never had a sunny disposition to begin with, even when he lived a happier life.

There was something comical about being called Mr Quinn right after being told he saved their butts. He wondered if she realised this. Probably not. She was too happy to have her photos to even think of that. She had yet seen them and she was already in that state. It only confirmed to Quinn that she would claim loving them even if she did not use any. To be fair, they would fit for the article. You had the horses, some in their stalls, others with a member of the club riding them. It was perfect. But since Quinn didn’t take them with the newspaper in mind, he couldn’t help thinking they would not fit with what they needed. It was not like he ever stopped to consider what a newspaper wanted in terms of pictures though.

She gestured to him and silently Quinn followed. He kept what he considered a reasonable distance between them. He would not look at his work above her shoulder while waiting for a verdict. The distance helped putting distance also with whatever she would say, in case it was bad. Or less good than expected. With the way she placed herself and the pout, he thought it was not going well. Then she said it was good. And asked if he ever thought joining the newspaper. “Not really,” he admitted with a shrug. He already found it hard sometimes to be in the photography club. “I... don’t mind helping you out if you ever need more pictures though.” What? He loved photography! Plus that was experience he could use later. But joining the club officially... he was not so sure.