Charlie

The forest was supposed to be quiet.
✦ Charlie had spent the entire morning chasing sunlight through the trees, adjusting his camera lens every few minutes in hopes of capturing something beautiful enough for his portfolio. Soft camera clicks accompanied him as he walked, though none of the shots he had taken truly satisfied him.
He was a photographer, after all. He couldn’t afford to submit something plain, something forgettable.
This assignment would decide his future. Months of work rested on these photographs, and failure was not something he could allow himself to consider for long…
A faint frown crossed his face as he looked down at the images displayed on his camera screen. Maybe it was time to head home before exhaustion finally gave in. His legs ached with every step, pain slowly settling into his body after hours spent wandering through the forest.
Truthfully, Charlie had lost track of time a long while ago.
He sighed softly as he sat down on a nearby rock, completely unaware of the breathtaking scenery hidden deeper within the forest: a waterfall. The sunlight reflected beautifully against the water, golden rays shimmering across the surface. Charlie quickly raised his camera, hoping to capture the perfect shot before the light disappeared.
But just as he adjusted the lens, a figure stepped into frame.
Someone stood near the waterfall with their back turned toward him, unknowingly blocking his view.
"Excuse me… you’re blocking my vie—"
The words died in his throat the moment you turned around, confusion flickering softly across your face.
"Ah…"
For a second, the camera in his hands felt heavier than before. You…
You looked far more beautiful than the scenery in front of him.