In the middle of Washington Square Park, at an excursion for the Photography Club, Ben was trying to convince Charlotte to be his partner, having asked her several times but still awaiting her response.
For Charlotte though, it wasn't so simple. Rubbing the camera strap of her bag, she hesitated at the idea of him, or anyone, taking photos of her. It was too…embarrassing.
Reading her body language, Ben understood the general situation. "Charlotte, it'll be fine, trust me. Plus, this is a paired exercise. We need partners. So you do me and I'll do you…"
Somehow, that line only made her face redden…
In her head, she knew he was right though. 'If I don't pair up with Ben, who else would I pair up with?' She then glanced back to the club members where she now viewed an obese Asian man, rubbing a camera as he stared at her with a lewd smile… In his head, he was repeating his favorite mantra. 'Loli loli… Loli loli…'
…
Gulping, Charlotte tip-toed her way to the side, until Ben's back blocked the pervert's line of sight to her. Then, she looked back at Ben and nodded with enthusiasm. "Ok!"
Seeing her reaction change so much, Ben's eyebrows rose, as he touched his face and started to wonder if the left side was more charming…
Nevertheless, the partnership was set, and so, Ben wondered if he should spit on his hand for a shake…
Or suggest a blood oath…
A few moments later, he shook his head though, rationalizing that the current agreement was below the necessary stakes for such a thing. So, the two carried their cameras and walked to a more secluded section of the park. Ben suggested an area under some trees where there were no people, guessing Charlotte would be shy if others were watching.
Thus, the two were soon alone. "Do you want to go first or should I?" Ben glanced at her.
Charlotte hurried to pick her camera up and put it in front of her face, answering the question and making Ben shrug. He didn't mind either way. So not long after, Ben the model was having his first photoshoot since the one at Hearth when he showed his workout program. This one, however, played out in a much less professional manner.
Since the photographer wasn't much of a talker, she didn't give Ben instructions, leaving him to come up with his own ideas. That being the case, Ben started to deliver his championship poses.
First up was the Bateman doggy-style pose into the mirror from American Psycho…
…
Even behind the camera, Charlotte was scowling. Although she snapped the photos, seeing him point at her and then flex his bicep made her a bit sick for some reason…
That was only the beginning though, as many more poses followed. Holding his hands out in a stiff manner and moving them around like a zombie, AKA the "when you turn off the lights and try to find your bed pose."
…
His eyes popping out and biting both lips, AKA the "moment you realize it wasn't a fart pose."
…
Him closing his eyes and sighing into the air with a light smile because it was indeed a fart…AKA the "moment you realize it was a false alarm…pose?"
…
There were many more, too many, far far too many…and after doing that for a while, Ben checked the time on his phone and motioned to Charlotte. "Your turn."
Hearing this, she took a step back, raising the camera back to her face. "It's okay. I'll just take photos…"
He spread a helpless smile but wasn't having it. "Come on, you can't go back on an agreement. This isn't the Ghost Rider movie and I'm not the stupidest devil of all time…"
When he said those words, Charlotte sighed, because she didn't know what the hell he was talking about…
She did understand the point though and believed he was right. After all, becoming more outgoing was her goal from the start. It's the reason she joined this club and also why she entered university. Yet, it wasn't easy for her. Adapting to college life had been very challenging. It still was, but she'd been trying.
She wanted to give her best effort because it was the challenge she decided to take up. It was difficult for her to convince her parents to let her leave home to attend school alone, but she took a rare stand to do so in order to overcome her issues. In the end, Charlotte was the person who most wanted to understand herself and move on from her prior trauma.
So, after clutching her little fists, with a brave yet childlike expression, she took her camera off and placed it into her bag, setting it down before she looked up at Ben, holding her hands together in front and waiting for instructions.
Ben couldn't help finding her cute like a puppy that didn't want to take its bath, so of course, he wanted to capture that moment. Hence, raising his camera, Ben took his first photos of her.
*Snap* *Snap*
Charlotte's feet fidgeted as she saw him taking pictures, but she did her best to not run away. Ben also knew it was challenging for her. So he started in a plain manner, doing basic shots so she could become accustomed to being under the lens. Next, after she relaxed somewhat, he started giving her simple instructions.
Following his guidance, she entered some simple poses while standing still, and became calmer as time passed, realizing it wasn't as bad as she thought. Then not long after, Charlotte was heeding his directions without issue. Such a large change surprised Ben. It was a substantial improvement, one resulting from his charisma and communication as well as their relationship.
So when he told her to take her glasses off, Charlotte didn't think twice, removing them from her face and holding them in her hands. Yet, a second later, she regretted that thoughtless move.
Ben narrowed his eyes. "Wow… You look like…a completely different person…"
At those words, she froze, her breathing stopping, as all of a sudden, she heard nothing but her pulsating heart.
——
*Author's Note: It hasn't been easy to meet the voting conditions for extra chapters because ReadNovelFull hasn't been giving this book features. So since many of you are frequently asking for more chapters, I'll make it easier. Rather than the number of votes, from now on, the Male Lead power rankings will determine the number of bonus chapters.
We've been in the top 5 for months now so as long as you all keep voting every day, it shouldn't be difficult to at least get some bonus chapters every week. The new voting schedule is in the creator's thoughts following this. Please read it and vote!
P.S. Added a new photo of Charlotte to the comments. More on discord: https://discord.gg/VSKzgzV8J9 (case-sensitive).
