Clubs

The bell chimed through the campus, a gentle reminder that it was time to get to the club activities. Wang Meilin adjusted her camera strap nervously, fingers tightening around the worn leather. Today was her first photography club meeting—a small attempt to step out of the shadows and maybe, just maybe, prove that she wasn’t invisible.

She stepped into the room, a converted art studio with sunlight streaming through the tall windows. Cameras, tripods, and stacks of printed photographs lined the tables. A quiet hum of chatter floated in the air as students adjusted their equipment and set up projects.

“Ah! You must be the new transfer student,” said a gentle voice. Mr. Chen, the photography club advisor, looked up from a stack of papers. “Wang Meilin, right? I’ve heard you like taking candid shots.”

“Yes… that’s me,” Meilin said softly, bowing slightly. Her voice barely carried over the shuffle of students.

Mr. Chen gave her a warm smile. “Good. Don’t worry about being perfect here. We focus on expression and feeling, not just technique. Find your style, and let your perspective tell the story.”

Meilin’s heart fluttered. She nodded, trying to take in the room without drawing attention. For once, she felt a flicker of hope—this could be her little corner, a place where she wasn’t measured against someone else.

“Hey, there she is!” A cheerful voice called from across the room. Zhang Rui, a fellow club member, waved enthusiastically. “I knew you’d show up. Come, I’ll show you around before the meeting officially starts.”

As she walked over, Meilin’s gaze drifted across the room, landing on a familiar figure—Tang Haoran. He was already fiddling with his camera, headphones around his neck, a mischievous grin tugging at his lips as he glanced up and noticed her staring.

“New kid, huh?” he called, louder than he probably should have. “Hope you’re ready to be amazed.”

Meilin’s face turned crimson, and she hurried toward Zhang Rui, muttering something about just wanting to join quietly. But Haoran’s grin lingered in her vision, impossibly bright and teasing.

Zhang Rui chuckled softly. “Ignore him. He likes to act like he owns the place, but he’s harmless… mostly. Follow me, I’ll show you the basics.”

As they moved toward a corner of the room, Meilin noticed Feng Yichen setting up his camera quietly, his movements precise and calm. Unlike Haoran’s energetic chaos, Yichen’s presence was subtle but magnetic, drawing her attention even when he didn’t intend to. He glanced up, and for a fraction of a second, their eyes met. Meilin felt her heart skip, but she quickly looked away, focusing on the camera in her hands.

“Okay, first task,” Mr. Chen announced, clapping his hands. “We’re doing portrait photography today. Capture someone’s personality in a single frame. Pair up if you want, or work solo.”

Meilin’s stomach knotted. Pair up? She didn’t know anyone well enough yet, and being left alone felt intimidating. Before she could decide, a familiar, playful voice interrupted her thoughts.

“You’re working solo? That’s boring. How about you take a picture of me instead?” Haoran stepped closer, eyes sparkling with mischief. “I promise I’ll make it interesting.”

“I… I—” Meilin stammered, trying to decline politely.

“Don’t worry,” he said, flashing that grin. “It’ll be fun. Trust me.”

She hesitated, then nodded, lifting her camera cautiously. Haoran struck a pose, leaning casually against a table, playful but still effortlessly photogenic. As Meilin focused her lens, she felt a strange thrill. He was so different from anyone she’d ever photographed—bold, confident, and impossibly alive.

Click. Click. Click.

Each shutter made her pulse race a little faster. She noticed the subtle moments: the glint of mischief in his eyes, the way his fingers drummed on the table, the slight smirk that hinted at thoughts she couldn’t guess.

“Not bad,” Haoran said, reviewing the shots. “You’ve got an eye for detail. Surprising… and impressive for a quiet girl.”

Meilin felt herself blush, lowering the camera. “T-Thank you,” she murmured, unsure how to handle the attention.

Meanwhile, across the room, Yichen quietly observed. He had been setting up his own camera, but he noticed the subtle exchange between Haoran and Meilin. Something in his chest tightened—not jealousy exactly, but a protective instinct he hadn’t realized he possessed. His fingers lingered over his camera, then slowly, deliberately, he began taking some shots too—capturing Meilin in candid moments as she focused, unaware of the lens trained on her.

The club session passed in a blur of clicks, laughter, and soft chatter. Zhang Rui guided her through composition techniques, Sun Xiaotong helped adjust lighting, and Li Na occasionally leaned over with pointers, her voice friendly but firm. Meilin felt herself relaxing, immersed in the world of light and shadow, her camera acting as both shield and bridge.

By the end of the session, Mr. Chen gathered everyone for a quick review. “Excellent work today, everyone. Remember, photography isn’t just about the subject—it’s about capturing the story behind the eyes.”

As the students packed up, Haoran leaned closer to Meilin. “Hey, you did well today. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise” he added with a sly glance toward the doorway, where a flash of Wang Yuxi’s delicate, perfect figure could be seen.

Meilin’s stomach twisted. She had almost forgotten Yuxi existed during the class, but that single glance reminded her: shadows weren’t so easily escaped.

Yichen approached more quietly, camera slung over his shoulder. “Your framing was good,” he said softly, almost like an afterthought, but Meilin felt the weight behind it. There was no teasing, no flashiness—just a calm sincerity that made her heart ache in a completely different way.

“Thank you,” she whispered, glancing up at him briefly before lowering her gaze again.

As the sun dipped lower, casting long shadows across the campus, Meilin walked back toward her dorm. Her camera bag felt heavier, not with equipment, but with possibilities. Haoran’s teasing grin, Yichen’s quiet attention, and the ever-looming presence of Yuxi all swirled in her mind.

It was just the beginning, but already she felt caught in a slow, unpredictable pull—between two boys who had unknowingly claimed pieces of her heart, and a step-sister who would never let her shine without a fight.

She paused at the gates, lifting her camera to capture the sunset over the campus. A snapshot of light and shadow, of beginnings and uncertainties.

Click.

And Meilin smiled, knowing that no matter how complicated it got, she had her camera—and maybe, just maybe, a story worth capturing.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***