My First Priority Is You

First Encounter

Y/N looked up, her eyes widening slightly as she saw me. "Oh, hey," she said, sounding genuinely surprised but not annoyed. "You're the guy from the other day. Taehyung, right?"

"That's me," I said, smiling. "I'm surprised to see you here. I thought I'd never get a chance to see you again."

She chuckled softly, a hint of amusement in her eyes. "Yeah, I've been around laying low. Just trying to get some good shots. It's harder than I thought with this camera."

I moved a little closer, intrigued by how relaxed and focused she was. "I'm still figuring out why I'm here," I admitted. "I signed up last minute. It seemed like a good idea at the time."

"Yeah? Well, at least you're giving it a shot," she said, her gaze returning to the squirrels. "It can be pretty rewarding once you get the hang of it."

I watched her for a moment, admiring her passion for photography. "Do you come here often?" I asked, hoping to keep the conversation going.

"Not really. I just come out here when I need a break from everything," she said. "It's peaceful. Plus, the wildlife is pretty interesting, and the classes can be boring, so I skip them. They don't even notice I'm gone."

"I get that," I said, nodding. "I was just getting frustrated with all the lectures and stuff. Seeing you out here is like a whole different world."

She smiled at me, and I felt a warm rush of relief. "Well, I guess you found the right place then. Nature's always got something to teach us if we're patient enough to listen."

I glanced around, seeing the forest in a new light now that I knew she was here. "Mind if I tag along? I could use some pointers. I'm a newbie at this."

"Sure, newbie," she said, her smile widening. "I could use a break from chasing squirrels anyway."

As we walked together, talking about photography and sharing tips, I felt a renewed sense of excitement. Maybe the program wasn't such a waste after all. In fact, it was starting to feel like the best decision I'd ever made.

As we strolled through the quiet forest, I took the opportunity to ask her more about why she was here. "So, what got you into photography?" I asked, genuinely curious.

Y/N smiled, her eyes lighting up with enthusiasm. "It's actually a family thing. My granddad was a photographer, and he used to show me his old pictures. He had this way of making the world look so magical through his lens. I guess I wanted to keep that magic alive."

"That's really cool," I said, impressed. "It sounds like you have a special connection to it."

"Yeah," she agreed, nodding. "Photography is a way for me to stay connected to him. It's also a great escape from everything else."

"Escape?" I asked, sensing there was more to her story. "What's that about?"

Y/N's expression grew serious. "Well, this summer, my mom thought it would be nice for me to stay at home and help out with the family. But honestly, I needed a break. All my aunties are always around, and they're so... nosy and mean. They tell me how I should behave and what I should wear, and it's just too much sometimes. Plus, I need a break from being constantly around my cousin. We're best friends, but I like doing my own things without her, and it's lonely at my house. My brother's at basketball camp, and the other one's training for football."

I could tell she was frustrated, and I could see why she needed this time away. "Sounds like a lot to deal with," I said sympathetically.

"It is," she confirmed. "And it's not just them. They're always comparing me to my cousin Savannah. She's this perfect little 'girly girl,' and they act like I'm not living up to their standards. It's exhausting."

"Savannah?" I repeated, trying to keep up with all the details. "Is she... your cousin?"

"Yeah," Y/N said, nodding. "She's great, really. I love her. But sometimes, she can be a bit clingy. It's like she's always in my space, and I can't get a moment to myself."

"Sounds like you've got a lot on your plate," I said, trying to empathize. "It must be nice to have this break and just focus on something you love."

"It really is," Y/N said, her voice softening. "I needed to get away from all that. Photography lets me breathe and be myself without all the pressure."

I could see how much this meant to her, and I felt a new appreciation for her passion and determination. "I'm glad you have this space to yourself. It sounds like it's exactly what you needed."

She smiled, looking genuinely relieved. "Yeah, it is. And it's nice to have someone to talk to who actually gets it. Thanks for listening."

"No problem," I said, smiling back. "I'm really glad we bumped into each other. It's been nice getting to know you."

Y/N's smile widened, and we continued walking, talking more about our interests and sharing stories. It felt like the beginning of something important, and I couldn't help but feel grateful for this unexpected turn of events.

We walked together, talking about photography and sharing tips. It felt so right. We missed some classes, but it didn't matter. Spending time with Y/N was worth it.

One day, I decided to ask her about her age. I had been curious but didn't want to seem pushy. We were joking around, and I said, "How old are you, anyway?"

At one point, I asked her how old she was, feeling a bit curious. "Guess," she said, smirking.

I groaned playfully. "Come on, just tell me."

"Nope," she teased. "You have to guess."

I thought about it for a moment. "Uh... 14?"

She laughed, shaking her head. "Try again."

"13?" I asked, starting to feel nervous.

"Wrong again," she said, crossing her arms with a mischievous grin.

I narrowed my eyes. "Okay, just tell me."

She finally caved. "Twelve."

She grinned and made me guess. I tried a few guesses, but she kept playing games. When she finally said she was twelve, I felt this wave of disappointment. She was two years younger than me. It wasn't just a minor gap; it was enough to make things complicated.

I froze. Twelve?! My heart sank. I felt disappointment wash over me. I'd been crushing hard on her, and the two-year gap suddenly felt like a chasm. One year, maybe I could handle, but two? Nope.

"Oh..." I muttered, trying to hide the disappointment in my voice. "You're... young."

Y/N just shrugged, unfazed by my reaction. "Yeah, but age is just a number, right friend ?" she said, with a playful glint in her eye.

I forced a smile, trying to play it off. "Right..."

But inside, I couldn't help but feel conflicted.

Still, despite the disappointment, I couldn't let go of how much I enjoyed our time together. There was something special about Y/N, and I wanted to keep getting to know her, no matter the age difference.

So here I am, Diary. I signed up for a photography program I initially hated, all because I wanted to be around Y/N. It's funny how things turn out. I'm still excited to see where this summer takes us.