Original Stories Fan Fiction ❯ Just Another Day ❯ Volume Five, Chapter Twenty-Nine: Say Cheese ( Chapter 29 )

Say Cheese

Soon has never been a fan of pictures. Given his past it was easy to see why. The man looked confused.

“I'm sorry, what?” he asked.

“Come on,” Jin said. “It will be fun.” Soon gave him a funny look.

“Why?” he asked.

“It's for my school project,” the boy said. “I have to take a picture of a survivor. I have to show what a survivor looks like.”

“Why do I need a picture?” Soon asked.

“It's part of the assignment,” Jin said. “Please?” Soon looked over at Mai-Pai. She shrugged and shook her head. Jin turned to his mother.

“Come on, you too,” he said. Mai-Pai raised her eyebrow.

“You want me too?” she asked.

“Uh-huh,” Jin said. Soon stared at her now. Mai-Pai put up her hands.

“Fine,” she said. “I'll do it with you.” Soon's eyes widened.

“Thank you so much!” Jin said. Soon couldn't think of a response.

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“What do we have to do?” Soon asked.

“Just sit with mom on the couch and I will take the picture,” Jin said.

“Uh-huh,” the man said. His mind went back to the past.

They had no need for pictures. Survival was on their minds. Food was running low again. There wasn't much to drink. Everyone was quiet. They felt tired. Some were left behind in the sand. Soon had to be the one to keep it together.

“Soon? Soon?” a voice asked in present day. The man looked up. Mai-Pai stared at him.

“Are you okay?” she asked. He stared at her for a moment. Soon swallowed and nodded.

“Uh… yeah, yeah,” he said. “I'm fine.” He cleared his throat.

“I'm fine,” Soon said. His girlfriend didn't look convinced.

“Okay, everybody ready?” Jin asked with a camera in hand. The couple sat closer. The boy looked through the lenses.

“Okay, smile. Say cheese,” he said.

“Cheese!” Mai-Pai and Soon said. Jin frowned.

“Soon-san, why do you look so tense?” he asked.

“Huh?” Soon asked. He had his teeth clinched in a tense smile. Mai-Pai nudged him in the arm.

“What's the matter, dear?” she whispered.

“I am smiling,” he said. Jin shook his head.

“You look like I have you at gunpoint,” he said.

“I do?” Soon asked.

“Yes,” Jin said. “Look. Just take a deep breath.” Soon slowly did so. The boy waited.

“Better?” he asked at last.

“No,” Soon admitted. Jin sighed.

“We can do the picture later,” Mai-Pai said. Her son sighed.

“Fine,” he said. The boy lowered his camera.

“I guess I could work on the paper first,” he said. Jin turned and walked to the stairs. He paused and turned his head.

“We'll do this again later,” Jin said. The boy walked up the stairs. Soon could finally breathe out.

“Thank you,” he said. Mai-Pai held his hand.

“It's okay,” she whispered. Soon looked out at the living room. He guessed he couldn't grasp normally yet.

Say Cheese