The Yellow Umbrella

Chapter Seven: Be Mine

"Don't you mean," She paused, "the storyboard?"

I pretended to laugh as she snorted at her 'witty' video production joke. Storyboarding was how we planned out videos. It was kinda like drawing a comic book, except you draw out how the shot should look, who's in the shot, and the camera angles.

I mentally awarded Chelsea the best dad joke of the year award.

I patted her on the back, "Keep being you."

She smiled shyly, then headed back to the video room. I grabbed my camera and stared at it for a moment. It was sorta the biggest mistake of my life. You see, the year before, I told my dad I could not film with the camera he had gotten me for Christmas in eighth grade because it was for amateurs, but I didn't have enough money for a new one. Out of the blue, he said he would give me the rest of the money, I just had to pick a camera. Without doing any research, I bought what I thought was the coolest one because I was worried he would rescind his offer. 

Unfortunately, the camera sucked and was insanely overpriced. But I didn't realize it until it was too late to return it. My mom told me it was a life lesson, that if you jump into things without thinking, you have to accept the outcome good or bad.

I just wished she had told me that before I bought the stupid camera.

I tucked it under my arm, not really caring if I dropped it and started to take down the tripod. I flipped the tripod upside down and pulled the tabs down holding the legs up. I watched the metal poles slide down as I thought about new video ideas. What story did I want to tell? Maybe I could document my horrible love life. Two failed attempts at love, the movie. 

The bell rang, I heard the gym doors swing open as I shoved the tripod back in its bag. I felt someone tap on my back.

"Chelsea," I sighed, "I'm serious, it's fine, I don't need your help."

I was used to having Chelsea help with just about anything. She was too nice. It made me suspicious. No one was that nice. She was probably a cyborg sent from another planet to infiltrate and destroy humans.

"Chelsea?" A pretty voice chirped, "That's not how you pronounce Mia."

I spun around to face her, "Ha ha, very funny."

Talking to Mia was like a wave of emotions. A huge part of me felt this inescapable sadness, but an even bigger part knew that friendship was better than nothing. Whenever she was around, I felt my heart rip into two. I zipped up the tripod bag and headed towards the door. 

Sometimes it was easier to not be around her.

But of course, she was trailing behind me. 

"So Jake," She asked, "Are you gonna be at lunch tomorrow? I cannot listen to Wyatt talk about the speed of light or whatever comp sci is alone."

I felt the tripod slipping a little, so I paused to catch it. Mia grabbed my camera from underneath my arm, and I felt that touch I missed so much.

I had to get out of there.

"Maybe, I don't know. Depends on when I get this video done." I pointed to the clock above the gym door, "College deadlines, ya know."

"Wow really?" Mia said, fiddling with the strap of my camera, "I already committed to a school."

I smiled, "That's really great Mia."

Translation: Great. Every fricking person in this school knows what they're doing with their lives except me.

Without waiting for her response, I pushed open the door.

"Wait!"

I kept walking, my feet pounding against the linoleum.