“Picture Worth A Thousand Words”

Hi! So, Twi has announced her upcoming short story, but while you’re waiting (if you’re waiting, if you have no idea what I’m talking about, then click here) I have a “snippet” of random writing to share with you… Since I claim to be a writer and need to prove myself every now and again. *grins*

But before that, a commercial break from our sponsor: 

Just kidding. 

We have no sponsor. 

No, we’re not going to do one of those: “YOU are our sponsor!” things. Because trust me, it doesn’t make ANYTHING less monotonous.  

So, without further ado: 

Picture Worth a Thousand Words

“Put the camera down.” Drake ordered, glancing at his sister out of the corner of his eye. 

“Why?” Diana pressed her lips together in concentration as she aimed the lens at him. “You’re so photogenic.” She snapped a picture.

Drake slammed his foot on the brake, keeping his eyes on the road ahead. 

She yelped as the momentum threw her forward, her camera nearly colliding with the dash. “Careful! I had to work a lot of hours to buy this!” 

“Then don’t use it in the car.” He retorted.

“Don’t slam your foot on the brake!” She examined the lens, blowing it off.

It’s my car.” He raised an eyebrow at her. “I can slam the brake if I want to.” 

She gave him an exasperated look. 

Good. He thought. Don’t ask me for a ride next time, if you’re bringing that thing with you. He loved his sister, just not her camera. 

“Fine.” She lifted her chin and opened her door. “I’ll walk.” She got out and slammed the car door, hanging the camera around her neck. 

He sighed, lifting his foot enough to let the car roll forward. He watched out the open passenger window after her. “Diana.” He sighed, glanced ahead, then back at his younger sister. “I can’t drive when you take pictures.” He tried. 

She gave him a dead-pan look, blue eyes fiery. “Uh-huh. Drake, you can drive a race track with your eyes closed. You can drive while I take pictures.”

He glanced forward again, then back at her. “You can’t walk to town.” 

“Says who?” She kept a hand on the camera, steadying it as she walked. 

“Me.” He answered. 

“You’re not my dad.” 

“Said no mature adult ever.” 

She glanced at him. 

He raised his eyebrows. “Are you coming or not?” 

She groaned, but stopped walking. “You’re so…” she took a breath, yanking the door open and collapsing into the seat. “So…” 

“Close the door.” 

“So difficult.” She gave the windshield a disgusted look, pulling the door shut. 

“Would you rather have walked to town?”

“Yes! And kept my dignity while doing so.” Her black hair, cropped short, frizzled with anger.

He scoffed, shaking his head at her.

The camera shutter clicked. 

His eyes snapped from the road to her. “DIANA!” 

She sat back and looked at the screen, then burst out laughing. “Oh! It’s so YOU.” She exclaimed in delight. “It’s perfect!” 

“Just perfect.” He muttered under his breath. 

“Oh look!” Diana grabbed Drake’s arm. “Stop the car!” 

“Why?” Drake pulled over on the small dirt road. 

She rushed out before he could ask another question.

He glimpsed marigolds out the window. “UGH.” He threw his forehead onto the wheel. “Diana, we’re going to be late. Are you seriously taking pictures of FLOWERS?!” 

She ignored him. 

“Diana!” He leaned over into the passenger seat, trying to get her attention. “Get in the car.”

“No.” She moved her camera to a different angle. “These are perfect for advertising.”

“Advertising…” Drake mumbled. “Diana, everyone in town knows you take pictures, you don’t have to-“

“I’m a photographer.” She corrected. “I don’t just ‘take pictures’.” She scoffed at him over her shoulder.

He huffed, leaning back against the seat. “I’m going to be late for work.”

“Hah! Yeah right, you’re just upset your motorcycle’s at the shop.”

“Diana-“

“Ralph told you you didn’t have to work today. There was nothing to do. Let me take my pictures.” She shut the door and continued snapping photos from all different angles, even lying in the dirt to get the sun through the petals.

Drake tapped his fingers on the wheel, looking at the road ahead. Why? Why couldn’t she have been some sort of… librarian or something. That would have suited her well. But no. She must be creative, she insisted. You could position books creatively on the shelf. Drake thought bitterly. He sighed, resting his forehead on the wheel. He knew the real reason for being so irritated.

The letter to his friend was burning a hole in his pocket. He needed to get it out of here. Out of town. It was untraceable, he’d made sure. But as long as it was here, they were all at risk. 

And he wouldn’t stand for his town to be put at risk.

Especially not by him.

Alright! That’s it! Do tell me your thoughts, who was your favorite character and why? And do you have any brothers who like to complain about odd things you do? What, if anything grabbed your attention?

And with that, I wish you the best!

~Louise